Suspending non-citizen enrollees
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration on Nov. 6 will pause new enrollment in a state-funded health care program for migrants ages 65 and older. It’s an expected move that the administration first announced in June to control the escalating costs of a program that has proven to be more expensive than the governor’s administration predicted.
An analysis from the Healthcare and Family Service website shows the program is expected to cost $831 million in fiscal year 2024, nearly $300 million beyond the allocated amount.
Comptroller fires employee over comments
An attorney with the Illinois comptroller’s office was fired Thursday over anti-Semitic comments she made on Instagram. A screenshot of the Instagram exchange was reported and the comptroller’s officer was made aware of the posts.
According to a report by Reuters, one of the remarks the lawyer allegedly wrote invoked the Holocaust. The office contacted the employee, then fired her after they said she admitted to some of the comments.
Rescue van strikes deer
A northern Illinois animal shelter is in a bind after its rescue van was severely damaged after striking a deer in southern Illinois.
Wright-Way Rescue from Morton Grove sent its van to downstate Nashville to rescue some puppies when the vehicle struck a deer. The deer was able to run off, but the van suffered extensive damage.
A shelter spokesperson said it could take up to $40,000 to replace the vehicle and an online fundraiser is being organized.
