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

Conservatives push Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger

Conservatives push Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A coalition of conservative and free-market groups is urging federal regulators to approve the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, saying the deal...
Hamas agrees to release hostages; demands further negotiations

Hamas agrees to release hostages; demands further negotiations

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After an ominous warning from President Donald Trump, Hamas has reportedly agreed to release the remaining Israeli hostages; however, they have yet to agree to...
Report: Bipartisan support for K-12 open enrollment policy

Report: Bipartisan support for K-12 open enrollment policy

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A new study reveals strong bipartisan support for K-12 open enrollment, yet only 16 states have strong laws enabling it. The report by Reason Foundation,...
'End the political idiocy': Republicans lambast Dems for tanking funding bill again

‘End the political idiocy’: Republicans lambast Dems for tanking funding bill again

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The ongoing government shutdown will span at least five days as U.S. senators depart for the weekend after voting down both short-term funding options for...

WATCH: U.S. military strikes another suspected drug boat, killing four

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said the U.S. military destroyed a fourth suspected drug boat on Friday carrying enough drugs to kill tens of thousands of Americans....
Des Moines Public School system hired superintendent with extensive criminal history

Des Moines Public School system hired superintendent with extensive criminal history

By Bethany Blankley reporterThe Center Square The Des Moines Public School Board hired a Guyanan national who had been living in the U.S. illegally for years and has an extensive...
Pro-life group calls FDA’s approval of generic abortion pill ‘unconscionable’

Pro-life group calls FDA’s approval of generic abortion pill ‘unconscionable’

By Tate MillerThe Center Square A pro-life organization called the FDA’s approval of the generic version of the abortion drug mifepristone “unconscionable,” stating that abortion is the leading cause of...
USDOT puts $2.1 billion of taxpayer funds for CTA under review

USDOT puts $2.1 billion of taxpayer funds for CTA under review

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – More than $2 billion in federal taxpayer infrastructure funding granted by the Biden administration for Chicago Transit...
No UPCODE Act could be part of shutdown solution … and more

No UPCODE Act could be part of shutdown solution … and more

By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Days into the federal government shutdown, health care funding is perhaps the key issue in talks to end the partisan stalemate. A...
Health care policy remains sticking point in Senate's govt shutdown talks

Health care policy remains sticking point in Senate’s govt shutdown talks

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square It’s day three of the government shutdown, and U.S. lawmakers are no closer to a government stopgap compromise, with both parties believing they’ll win the...
ICE arrests 9 Chileans linked to South American theft group operating in NJ

ICE arrests 9 Chileans linked to South American theft group operating in NJ

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Newark officers have arrested nine Chileans linked to a South American Theft Groups (SATG) operating in New Jersey. ICE Newark, working...
WATCH: State police prepares ICE protest zones; energy policy debate continues

WATCH: State police prepares ICE protest zones; energy policy debate continues

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 shares the latest...
DHS blames 'sanctuary' politicians for ICE violence

DHS blames ‘sanctuary’ politicians for ICE violence

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that two vehicles were used as weapons against Immigration and...
Illinois news in brief: Department of Transportation reviews CTA spending plans; Illinois manufacturers kick off 'Makers on the Move' tour; Hearings continue on energy legislation

Illinois news in brief: Department of Transportation reviews CTA spending plans; Illinois manufacturers kick off ‘Makers on the Move’ tour; Hearings continue on energy legislation

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square Department of Transportation reviews CTA spending plans The U.S. Department of Transportation issued an interim final rule barring race- and sex-based...
Screenshot 2025-10-17 at 10.40.58 AM

Peotone Schools to Tackle $372,000 in Unpaid Fees with New Plan

207U Committee of the Whole Meeting 9/22/2025 Article Summary: Peotone School District 207U is implementing a new two-pronged strategy to collect approximately $372,000 in outstanding student fees, some dating back...