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

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

IL U.S. Rep says health care crisis caused by failing to extend ACA tax credits

IL U.S. Rep says health care crisis caused by failing to extend ACA tax credits

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Democratic Illinois congresswoman says Republicans have caused a health care crisis by not extending Affordable Care...
Judge declines CTU's motion to dismiss financial audit lawsuit

Judge declines CTU’s motion to dismiss financial audit lawsuit

By Dan McCaleb and Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Cook County judge on Monday denied a Chicago Teachers' Union motion for summary...
Illinois pushes rate-hike protections forward despite consumer cost fears

Illinois pushes rate-hike protections forward despite consumer cost fears

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Home and auto insurance providers in Illinois could face new oversight and regulation after a Senate bill...
Illinois bill aims to delay 2024 tax sales, protect homeowners’ equity

Illinois bill aims to delay 2024 tax sales, protect homeowners’ equity

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are weighing a proposal to delay property tax sales and pause penalties as the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Man on pretrial release charged with fireman's murder

Illinois Quick Hits: Man on pretrial release charged with fireman’s murder

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Chicago man is charged with murder and aggravated arson in connection with a fire that killed...
Comptroller, state lawmaker call for federal tax credit scholarships

Comptroller, state lawmaker call for federal tax credit scholarships

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Illinois edges toward a decision with significant implications for families and students, State Rep. Regan...
Litchfield Panthers Baseball Graphic

Leitschuh’s All-Around Performance Lifts Litchfield Past Springfield 7-6 in Extra Innings

The Litchfield varsity baseball team outlasted Springfield in an eight-inning, non-conference battle on Saturday afternoon, securing a 7-6 road victory behind a phenomenal two-way effort from senior Max Leitschuh. Litchfield...
Trump says he will send ICE agents to airports if funding deal doesn't pass

Trump says he will send ICE agents to airports if funding deal doesn’t pass

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square With many travelers seeing long waits at airports because of the partial government shutdown, President Donald Trump said Saturday he would send Immigration and Customs...
Lawmaker criticizes efforts to replace natural foods with alternative proteins

Lawmaker criticizes efforts to replace natural foods with alternative proteins

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois plans to pump $5 million into alternative protein research at state universities, aiming to boost...
Many voters blame AI data centers for rising electricity costs

Many voters blame AI data centers for rising electricity costs

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A significant number of American voters are blaming AI data centers for rising energy costs across the country, a new poll reveals. The Center Square...
U.S. Supreme Court to hear mail-in ballots case Monday

U.S. Supreme Court to hear mail-in ballots case Monday

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday will hear arguments in a consequential case to determine if states can accept and count mail-in ballots after Election...
Litchfield Panthers Softball Graphic

Massive Second Inning Propels Athens Past Litchfield, 10-4

The Litchfield varsity softball team jumped out to an early lead on Friday, but a massive eight-run second inning by visiting Athens proved too much to overcome in a 10-4...
Trump: Strikes on Iran could be 'winding down'

Trump: Strikes on Iran could be ‘winding down’

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. is “very close” to meeting objectives in Iran, President Donald Trump said Friday, while providing a glimpse of the region after military strikes...
Arizona Republican lawmakers plan to end Cesar Chavez Day

Arizona Republican lawmakers plan to end Cesar Chavez Day

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The Republican majority in the Arizona Legislature is working on a bill to end Cesar Chavez Day following allegations of sexual abuse and rape by...
Barrasso: Senate Dems have 'blood on their hands' for DHS shutdown

Barrasso: Senate Dems have ‘blood on their hands’ for DHS shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the ongoing partial government shutdown now the second-longest in American history, irritated Republicans are berating Senate Democrats, who for the fifth time Friday blocked...