Illinois Quick Hits: State announces new Medicaid contracts

Illinois Quick Hits: State announces new Medicaid contracts

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has awarded new HealthChoice Illinois contracts to six Medicaid Managed Care Organizations.

The state agency says the new agreements will hold the organizations accountable for how they serve customers by promoting whole person care.

The program impacts about 2.4 million of the Illinois Medicaid program’s 3.1 million enrollees.

REPORT: IL AVERAGE STUDENT LOAN DEBT IS $39,042

According to new analysis, Illinois has the fifth-highest average federal student loan balance in America, with the average borrower owing $39,042.

SEO Backlinks used state-level student loan debt data and checked total statewide balances to show the scale of debt in each location. Maryland had the highest average borrower debt with $43,781.

Illinois was the only Midwestern state in the top 10.

APPEALS COURT ISSUES COMED FOUR RULING

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and codefendant Michael McClain have a right to see their corruption sentences vacated, but the court also said prosecutors may press on with a new trial.

In April, the appellate court directed the federal government to release Pramaggiore and McClain on bond, months after they began serving two-year prison terms.

Judges said in the ruling issued on Monday they were not suggesting that Pramaggiore and McClain are innocent, only that their convictions were flawed.

Pramaggiore, McClain and two others were convicted in 2023 of a scheme to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

FBI CHICAGO: SEEKING VICTIM INFORMATION IN SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CASE

The Chicago Field Office of the FBI is assisting the Aurora Police Department in an effort to identify potential victims of a man facing sexual abuse and exploitation charges.

The FBI says Michael Herbert primarily targeted minor boys between 2013 and 2022. Anyone with relevant information is asked to visit fbi.gov/LetYourVoiceBeHeard.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois treasurer promises to pass nonprofit legislation vetoed by Pritzker

Illinois treasurer promises to pass nonprofit legislation vetoed by Pritzker

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs says he will keep pushing nonprofit investment legislation that was vetoed by...

WATCH: Trump says he could attack drug cartels on land amid boat strikes

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said the U.S. military could soon go after drug smuggling on land and would consider taking the matter to Congress, but said...
SpaceX launches record-breaking Falcon 9 flight

SpaceX launches record-breaking Falcon 9 flight

By Dave MasonThe Center Square SpaceX broke its record Wednesday morning for its number of Falcon 9 launches in a single year. This year’s 133rd Falcon launch took off, with...
Hochul blames congressional Republicans for delay in fuel assistance funding

Hochul blames congressional Republicans for delay in fuel assistance funding

By Chris WadeThe Center Square New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wants Congress to release federal funding to support New York’s Home Energy Assistance Program, which has been delayed by the...
Tribal nations ask U.S. Supreme Court to return lawsuit to state court

Tribal nations ask U.S. Supreme Court to return lawsuit to state court

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Ten Native American tribal nations are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to send a legal challenge to the Great Lakes Tunnel Project back to the...
Illinois House backs controversial ‘Equality for Every Family’ bill after Pritzker changes

Illinois House backs controversial ‘Equality for Every Family’ bill after Pritzker changes

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois House concurs with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s amendatory veto to the Equality for Every Family...
WATCH: Trump admin asks SCOTUS to lift Guard restraints; Pritzker opposes ‘head tax’

WATCH: Trump admin asks SCOTUS to lift Guard restraints; Pritzker opposes ‘head tax’

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews the latest...
Poll: Voters trust local governments more than feds to address crime, other issues

Poll: Voters trust local governments more than feds to address crime, other issues

By Andrew Rice | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A majority of Americans say the federal government should not decide policing and crime policy in their...
Illinois quick hits: Secretary of State accuses ICE of plate swapping; Treasurer celebrates LGBTQ+

Illinois quick hits: Secretary of State accuses ICE of plate swapping; Treasurer celebrates LGBTQ+

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Secretary of State accuses ICE of plate swapping Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says his office is investigating U.S. Customs...
Screenshot 2025-10-17 at 11.24.23 AM

Lincoln-Way to Purchase New Buses, Add Smaller Vehicles to Address Driver Shortage

LW210 Board of Education Meeting | October 16, 2025 Article Summary: Lincoln-Way District 210 plans to update its transportation fleet by purchasing 28 new gasoline-powered school buses, three activity buses,...

WATCH: Pritzker ‘absolutely, foursquare opposed’ to Chicago mayor’s head tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The governor of Illinois says he is against the Chicago mayor’s plan to impose a head tax...
Illinois quick hits: Elections board splits on Harmon fine; busiest summer at O'Hare

Illinois quick hits: Elections board splits on Harmon fine; busiest summer at O’Hare

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Elections board splits on Harmon fine The Illinois State Board of Elections delivered a tied vote of 4-4 on state Senate...
Trump administration asks Supreme Court to toss stay in National Guard case

Trump administration asks Supreme Court to toss stay in National Guard case

By Brett Rowland | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Trump administration on Tuesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to drop a stay preventing the president...
GOP candidates: Illinois families struggle while Pritzker wins in Las Vegas

GOP candidates: Illinois families struggle while Pritzker wins in Las Vegas

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker was a big winner in Las Vegas, but his Republican rivals say the governor’s...

WATCH: Pritzker wants immigration enforcement, just not Trump’s way

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is not for open borders and wants immigration law enforced, just...