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

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.