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

January 7, 2026/Newspaper Staff/

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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Cato scholar: Fraud being investigated in Minnesota likely occurring across U.S.

Cato scholar: Fraud being investigated in Minnesota likely occurring across U.S.

By Hayley FelandThe Center Square The widespread fraud in Minnesota that's made national headlines in recent weeks is likely occurring in states across the country, Cato Institute scholar Chris Edwards...
Supreme Court could rule on Trump's tariff authority Friday

Supreme Court could rule on Trump’s tariff authority Friday

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court could issue a landmark ruling Friday on President Donald Trump's authority to use tariffs, potentially reshaping presidential power. Alan Morrison, a...
Arraignment postponed for Nick Reiner in murder trial

Arraignment postponed for Nick Reiner in murder trial

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Nick Reiner, charged with murdering his parents Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, saw his arraignment postponed Wednesday after his second appearance in a downtown...
Court halts injunction on California gender secrecy policy

Court halts injunction on California gender secrecy policy

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square In Mirabelli v. Bonta, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit granted California’s emergency motion for a freeze, temporarily suspending a class-wide permanent...
Glen Ellyn can’t enforce Airbnb rules vs owner who says was target

Glen Ellyn can’t enforce Airbnb rules vs owner who says was target

By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The operators of a Glen Ellyn Airbnb property have won an junction blocking the village from enforcing an ordinance controlling short-term rentals...

WATCH: Minn. agencies suppressed fraud reports, punished whistleblowers

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Officials within the administration of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz enabled some of the state’s now estimated $9 billion in taxpayeer-funded social services fraud by suppressing...

WATCH: HHS tells Illinois ‘show us the receipts’ on welfare spending

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Nearly a billion federal taxpayer dollars for child care and family assistance programs are being withheld from...
Flags lowered on anniversary of Palisades, Eaton fires

Flags lowered on anniversary of Palisades, Eaton fires

By Dave MasonThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered flags lowered to half-staff Wednesday for all state buildings on the one-year anniversary of the devastating Los Angeles County wildfires....
Illinois quick hits: IG finds 26 cases of sexual misconduct at Chicago schools

Illinois quick hits: IG finds 26 cases of sexual misconduct at Chicago schools

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square IG finds 26 cases of sexual misconduct at Chicago schools The Office of Inspector General for the Chicago Board of Education...
Federal funding bill decreases spending, limits firing power

Federal funding bill decreases spending, limits firing power

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to pass a funding bill on Thursday that would take a step toward averting a partial government shutdown...
IL House speaker signals insurance regulation described as 'ill-advised'

IL House speaker signals insurance regulation described as ‘ill-advised’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The speaker of the Illinois House is signaling that insurance regulation will be a priority for state...
Logan County native urges oversight of proposed $5B IL data center

Logan County native urges oversight of proposed $5B IL data center

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Logan County residents are opposing a proposed 250-acre data center in Illinois, raising concerns about farmland...
Feds freeze $10B in aid to Colorado, four other states

Feds freeze $10B in aid to Colorado, four other states

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The Trump administration froze certain federal funding to Colorado this week amid growing national concerns about fraud in government-funded programs. The U.S. Department of Health...
Republicans go on attack in hearing over $9 billion of social services fraud

Republicans go on attack in hearing over $9 billion of social services fraud

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and the state attorney general were either “complicit” in the now-estimated $9 billion of social services fraud that has taken...
Trump admin dietary guidelines prioritize protein, avoid added sugars

Trump admin dietary guidelines prioritize protein, avoid added sugars

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration on Wednesday released new dietary guidelines alongside an updated food pyramid that prioritizes protein, dairy, fruits and vegetables. The federal government is...