Connect with us

Illinois

Gov. Pritzker signs Illinois birth equity initiative into law, celebrates Medicaid expansion

Published

on

Gov. Pritzker signs Illinois birth equity initiative into law, celebrates Medicaid expansion


CHICAGO — Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law Monday that expands insurance coverage during and after pregnancy with the goal of lowering infant and maternal mortality rates, especially for Black Illinoisans.

The law requires insurers that provide state-regulated health care plans to cover pregnancy and postpartum services for covered individuals, including midwife services, doula visits, and lactation consultants for up to 12 months after the end of a pregnancy. Licensed or certified midwives will need to be covered by insurance providers starting 2025, while all other outlined services must be covered by January 2026.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Pritzker, who was joined by advocates and sponsors of the bill, Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, and Sen. Lakesia Collins, D-Chicago, said the state still has more work to do.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday signed an Illinois birth equity initiative into law.

Advertisement

“The broad issue of maternal health, it’s not been done adequately even in some of the best hospitals, when we talk about women of color, in particular,” Pritzker said. “We’ve got to change the way this system operates.”

Collins said this is not a localized problem but a pervasive one.

“We understand that lives are on the line,” she said, “from Chicago to rural southern Illinois, women across every community, every zip code: they face unexpected complications during pregnancy and without the coverage of insurance, are faced with life-threatening complications that are preventable.”

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said the birth equity initiative is an extension of reproductive care.

SEE ALSO: Facing the Facts: Maternal health | Watch full special

Advertisement

“It bolsters our administration’s belief that no government should decide when or if a family grows and ensures that when families do expand, both mom and baby have access to the care they need,” Stratton said.

Stratton noted the bill signing happened the same day Iowa’s six-week abortion ban took effect.

“I have to acknowledge how darkly ironic it is that we celebrate Illinois’ work to empower women, as our neighbors to the west woke up this morning with even fewer rights than they had last night,” Stratton said.

Gabel, who introduced the legislation in February, said the United States as a whole needs to try to make pregnancy safer.

“It is shocking that the wealthiest nation that has ever existed in this world has this problem,” she said of the country’s drastically high maternal mortality rate. “It must and will be addressed.”

Advertisement

The preterm birth rate in Illinois, one of the leading causes of infant death, has increased over the past decade, according to March of Dimes, a nonprofit aimed at improving the health of babies and mothers in the U.S.

The latest March of Dimes report card for Illinois gave the state a ‘D+’ preterm birth grade for a preterm birth rate of 10.6 percent, which, based on preliminary numbers, equates to about 13,000 preterm births in 2022. The country also received a ‘D+’ grade.

Jeanine Valrie Logan, a midwife and leader at Chicago Beyond, the philanthropic organization hosting the signing ceremony, expressed her vision of a society where Black women are continually cared for and kept safe, well beyond pregnancy and childbirth.

“I also envision them not only being safe in their pregnancy and postpartum but also their whole lives,” Logan said. “It saddens me to think about Sonya Massey and all the other families that are grieving now for senseless killing and preventable childbirth trauma.”

Medicaid to cover more services

Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday celebrated Medicaid expansion.

Advertisement

Pritzker and many of the same lawmakers at the birth equity signing later celebrated a federal waiver that expands the number and scope of services the state can cover under Medicaid. The 1115 waiver allows such things as housing, food and nutrition services, and violence intervention services to be reimbursed by the health care program that serves low-income individuals and is jointly funded by the state and federal governments.

“We are using it to direct Medicaid resources toward initiatives that address the root causes of health inequalities such as housing, food insecurity, unemployment, violence prevention, reentry from prison settings, substance use treatment, and more,” Pritzker said.

The waiver took effect earlier this month. Federal approval means there are more matching funds from Washington that will now be available for programs in Illinois.

The five-year waiver is part of federal rules that allow states to stretch their Medicaid programs, and test new programs and delivery models.

One of the focus areas in the waiver is prerelease services for incarcerated people. State leaders said those who are Medicaid-eligible will be able to get help from case managers, including medication-assisted treatment, prescription medicines and medical supplies.

Advertisement

State lawmakers cheered the expansion as well, pointing to ongoing work to bring equity to housing, healthcare and more.

“I fully understand that we cannot advocate for people to live strong, healthy lives without addressing social determinants of health and the inequitable outcomes they result in,” Sen. Omar Aquino, D-Chicago, said. “With a focus on quality, innovation and equity, I’m excited this waiver will allow our state to tackle interconnected issues like housing, health and food security, fostering a more holistic care system where everyone can get the treatment they need.”

Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Elizabeth Whitehorn said she hopes to improve overall health in vulnerable populations. The agency expects it will take several months before all eligible programs are fully included in the expansion and available to residents.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Illinois

Johnson scores 14, UIC takes down Southern Illinois 70-57

Published

on

Johnson scores 14, UIC takes down Southern Illinois 70-57


Thursday, January 8, 2026 4:14AM

CHICAGO — – Andy Johnson’s 14 points helped UIC defeat Southern Illinois 70-57 on Wednesday night.

Johnson had five rebounds for the Flames (6-10, 1-4 Missouri Valley Conference). Ahmad Henderson II added 13 points and Elijah Crawford scored 11.

Damien Mayo Jr. led the way for the Salukis (8-9, 2-4) with 17 points, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Jalen Haynes added seven points for Southern Illinois. Rolyns Aligbe had six points and two blocks.

Advertisement

UIC took the lead with 14:56 left in the first half and did not trail again. Henderson scored nine points in the first half to help put the Flames up 31-21 at the break.

——

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.br/]

Copyright © 2026 ESPN Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Illinois

Illinois Democrats express outrage, seek full investigation into ICE fatal shooting of Minnesota woman

Published

on

Illinois Democrats express outrage, seek full investigation into ICE fatal shooting of Minnesota woman


Illinois Democrats are demanding a full investigation into the death of a woman at the hands of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis, with some calling it a “murder” and an “execution.”

The woman was fatally shot Wednesday during a traffic stop in a residential neighborhood just south of downtown Minneapolis. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called it “an act of domestic terrorism” by a woman who “attempted to run them over and rammed them with her vehicle.”

Noem said an officer “acted quickly and defensively, shot, to protect himself and the people around him.”

Videos taken by witnesses show an officer approaching an SUV stopped across the middle of the road, demanding the driver open the door and grabbing the handle. The Honda Pilot begins to pull forward and a different ICE officer standing in front of the vehicle pulls his weapon and immediately fires at least two shots into the vehicle at close range, jumping back as the vehicle moves toward him, according to the Associated Press. It’s unclear whether the vehicle made contact with the officer.

Advertisement

The woman, whose name wasn’t immediately released, is at least the fifth death linked to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations. Silverio Villegas González died on Sept. 12 after being shot as he allegedly tried to flee from ICE agents in suburban Franklin Park. Body camera footage first obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times shows the federal agent telling local police he was “dragged a little bit.” Speaking over the radio, his partner relays the agent suffered “a left knee injury and some lacerations to his hands.”

Villegas González had no criminal history, but DHS has said he had “a history of reckless driving” and was in the country without legal status.

U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia said he is “heartbroken and outraged” by what he called a “murder.” U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson called it “an execution in our streets.”

“This tragedy occurred less than a mile from the hallowed ground where George Floyd was murdered during Donald Trump’s first term,” Jackson said in a statement. “It is a chilling and devastating reminder that the cycle of state-sanctioned violence against our communities has not only continued but has been weaponized under this administration’s ‘Operation Metro Surge.’”

Sen. Tammy Duckworth is calling for an immediate investigation into the ICE officer who fired the shot. She wrote on X, “ICE is clearly not making us safer. This needs to stop.” And Sen. Dick Durbin called the death “tragic, heartbreaking and enraging” but urged protesters to “remain peaceful.”

Advertisement

“A full investigation must be completed so the truth can be revealed,” Durbin said in a statement. “Video of the incident starkly contradicts DHS’s narrative, and the fact that DHS has jumped to characterize this shooting in ‘self-defense’ is rushed, at best, and a lie, at worst.”

Three top Democrats vying to replace Durbin in the March 17 primary all said they would push for answers about the death.

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said he will be “demanding full answers and accountability from the Trump administration” over a “horrific loss of life.”

“This is Donald Trump’s America: a woman is dead because ICE is operating with impunity in our neighborhoods,” Krishnamoorthi said in a statement. “…When federal agents are unleashed without restraint or oversight, the consequences are deadly — and the responsibility for this killing is on their hands.”

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly evoked Villegas’ death in commenting on the Minnesota shooting.

Advertisement

“The city of Chicago knows all too well that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem only lies. After the deadly shooting of Silverio Villegas González during a traffic stop, Secretary Noem tried to hide the truth, but bodycam footage disproved injuries sustained by the ICE officer,” Kelly said. “The Minneapolis Mayor has already said that video disputes Secretary Noem’s claims. It’s clear that to achieve public safety, ICE must leave our cities immediately.”

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton called the shooting “horrific.”

“Rejecting authoritarianism should not be a death sentence in the United States of America,” Stratton said. “We need answers and we need ICE out of our communities.”

Rep. Brad Schneider called the fatal shooting “a stain on our entire nation.”

“Sending strength to the Minneapolis community. Chicagoland knows all too well the trauma and terror Trump’s chaotic immigration operations bring to otherwise peaceful communities,” Schneider said. “Our President should be making America and Americans safer. He is failing.”

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Illinois

Illinois Inexplicably Drops in ESPN’s Updated Bracketology From Joe Lunardi

Published

on

Illinois Inexplicably Drops in ESPN’s Updated Bracketology From Joe Lunardi


Illinois’ win over Penn State at The Palestra was anything but flawless. A horrid shooting night and a stagnant offensive performance – specifically when freshman guard Keaton Wagler was off the floor – characterized the whole affair.

Defensively, the Illini were fairly stout, but they gave up far too many second-chance opportunities to the Nittany Lions – who parlayed 14 offensive rebounds into 16 second-chance points. 

But to steal a win on the road – technically, the game was played in neutral-site Philadelphia – against a Big Ten opponent is an accomplishment in itself. (It was just lowly Penn State, you say? Tell that to Michigan, which squeaked by the Nittany Lions by two on Tuesday night.)

Advertisement

In a college basketball season of more than 30 games, it’s inevitable that a two-hour window will overlap here and there when the shots simply don’t fall – no matter how open the looks are. That happened on Saturday, yet the Illini still triumphed.

Advertisement

That’s glass half full. The glass-half-empty perspective goes something like this: putting up 73 points on 39.3 percent shooting against a Penn State team that entered the game outside of the top 200 in defensive efficiency (per KenPom) is embarrassing. And as a team that prides itself on controlling the glass, giving up 14 offensive rebounds to the Nittany Lions is entirely unacceptable.

Where Illinois landed in ESPN’s Joe Lunardi’s latest bracketology

Advertisement

Dec 13, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts to a call during the second hal against the Nebraska Cornhuskersf at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Perhaps ESPN’s Joe Lunardi is a pessimist, as that latter line of rationale could be the only possible explanation for his decision in Tuesday’s edition of Bracketology. In it, he dropped the Illini a seed line, moving them down from a three seed to a four seed.

Since Lunardi’s previous update, Illinois has played exactly one game – against Penn State. Were the Illini really exposed that badly in Philly? In any case, they have two full months to bolster their resume, and the Big Ten schedule provides plenty of prime opportunities: In the next 32 days alone, the Illini have road meetings at No. 19 Iowa, No. 5 Purdue, No. 10 Nebraska – a key chance at vengeance – and No. 12 Michigan State.

Split those contests and Illinois may find itself sitting firmly as a three seed. Win three out of four and the Illini are suddenly a borderline two seed. But until they prove themselves with a few more statement victories, it appears they will be stuck as a four – an excellent “consolation” prize for the time being.

Advertisement

Every Big Ten team in Joe Lunardi’s bracketology for ESPN

Mar 5, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter and Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood chat before the start of the game at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Advertisement

Ohio State (No. 11 seed)
Indiana (No. 10)
UCLA (No. 9)
USC (No. 8)
Iowa (No. 6)
Michigan State (No. 4)
Illinois (No. 4)
Nebraska (No. 3)
Purdue (No. 2)
Michigan (No. 1)



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending