Illinois quick hits: Pritzker reacts to HHS funding freeze; Chicago crime dashboard released

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker reacts to HHS funding freeze; Chicago crime dashboard released

January 7, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Pritzker reacts to HHS funding freeze

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has frozen access to about $10 billion in federal child care and family assistance funds for Illinois, Minnesota and three other states due to concerns about fraud and misuse of taxpayer dollars.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker blasted the move and said President Donald Trump is stripping child care from Illinois families who are just trying to go to work.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski called for a forensic audit, saying state appropriations of state and federal child care services funding increased 299% since Pritzker became governor.

Chicago crime dashboard released

The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General has published a new dashboard that allows users to search and explore city data on reported crimes.

The site includes information about what kinds of crimes are being reported and where, and the rates at which the Chicago Police Department is solving, or “clearing” criminal investigations.

The dashboard can be found online.

Canine certification program

The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board is partnering with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to review and certify law enforcement personnel and their trained therapy canines.

The three-day course and certification is designed to ensure that law enforcement therapy canine teams are prepared to respond appropriately to individuals experiencing trauma or crisis.

The course was developed in partnership with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office’s Tails of Redemption program, which offers opportunities for county jail inmates to train rescued dogs in basic obedience.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Ongoing border enforcement: Revocation of citizenship of convicted criminals

Ongoing border enforcement: Revocation of citizenship of convicted criminals

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Trump administration continues its multifaceted approach to border security and national security, including its concerted effort to denaturalize citizenship of convicted criminals. The administration...
Minnesota wildfires prompt burning restrictions as air quality improves

Minnesota wildfires prompt burning restrictions as air quality improves

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square More than a dozen wildfires in northern Minnesota are adding to ongoing air quality concerns throughout the U.S., which have been primarily fueled by Canadian...
Poll: Americans views of socialism little changed despite recent elections

Poll: Americans views of socialism little changed despite recent elections

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square Despite the 2025 elections of self-proclaimed socialists Zohran Mamdani and Katie Wilson as mayors of New York City and Seattle, respectively, the number of American...
Malliotakis: Commie Caucus is coming to Congress

Malliotakis: Commie Caucus is coming to Congress

By Christen SmithThe Center Square A growing tide of democratic Socialist candidates spurred comments on Tuesday from U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis about the “rude awakening” of communism that lies ahead...
Texas Republicans chastise Mexican official’s 'audacious' border security claims

Texas Republicans chastise Mexican official’s ‘audacious’ border security claims

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas Republicans are criticizing a Mexican official in response to a letter he sent about U.S. border security. In an open letter to Mexican Senator...
Feds freeze $1B to California, Minnesota Medicaid

Feds freeze $1B to California, Minnesota Medicaid

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration is pausing more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy...
Arrangements, services in place for Graham

Arrangements, services in place for Graham

By Alan WootenThe Center Square In a service expected to bring together many foreign leaders touched through his policy work on behalf of the United States, the late U.S. Sen....
Push increased for Dalilah’s Law to get a floor vote

Push increased for Dalilah’s Law to get a floor vote

By Alan WootenThe Center Square More than four months later, federal legislation from a North Carolina congressman addressing nondomiciled commercial drivers remains stuck in the U.S. House of Representatives. A...
Texas suffers its first casualty in Iran war: female soldier from Carrollton

Texas suffers its first casualty in Iran war: female soldier from Carrollton

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas has suffered its first casualty in the U.S.-Israel war against Iran: Army Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton. She was killed in action on...
Illinois quick hits: Benton's replacement chosen; gas prices resume climb

Illinois quick hits: Benton’s replacement chosen; gas prices resume climb

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Benton's replacement chosen Jessica Dixon Heitman was chosen unanimously to replace former state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, in the 97th House...
Illinois diversity certifications lag despite partial computer fix

Illinois diversity certifications lag despite partial computer fix

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- State diversity leaders recently reported a large increase in the number of Illinois businesses that get better...
FBI: Suspect in federal building attack was anti-ICE 'extremist'

FBI: Suspect in federal building attack was anti-ICE ‘extremist’

By Chris WadeThe Center Square A man arrested by federal agents Monday for starting a large blaze outside a New York City immigration court was an "anti-government extremist" who told...
U.S. House to vote on government funding stopgap

U.S. House to vote on government funding stopgap

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republican lawmakers have teed up a Continuing Resolution that would extend government funding at current levels until Dec. 4, punting the government shutdown deadline by...
Trump vows retaliation for U.S. service members' deaths

Trump vows retaliation for U.S. service members’ deaths

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square For a 10th consecutive night, the U.S. is carrying out strikes on Iran, targeting the Islamic Republic’s ability to attack commercial ships in the Strait...
Forecasters split on midterms, but a sweep is possible, maybe likely

Forecasters split on midterms, but a sweep is possible, maybe likely

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Forecasters say Democrats are favored to take the U.S. House this November while Republicans are favored to hold the Senate, yet the likeliest outcome is...