Sept. 12: Addressing Children's Behavioral Health
Prioritizing access to behavioral health services for under-resourced Illinoisans is more critical now than ever. The issue is particularly pronounced among children, with a recent study showing nearly half of Illinois children having one or more worsening mental symptoms.

Illinois lawmakers and providers have responded to the growing crisis by focusing more resources and improving and streamlining how children and families access services. But what other changes are needed to make sustainable improvements to mental healthcare access and coverage? Health News Illinois (HNI) is bringing together a panel of experts to examine these issues and more during a virtual event on Friday, Sept. 12. Click here to register. Panelists include:

• Matt Wolf, Plan President, Molina Healthcare of Illinois
• Dana Weiner, Chief Behavioral Health Officer, State of Illinois
• Cecelia Horan, Clinical Director for Child and Adolescent Service Line, Ascension Illinois
• Dr. Mashana Smith, Associate Director of School Mental Health, Lurie Children’s Center for Childhood Resilience. 

Reminder: On Sept. 15, A.J. Wilhelmi, CEO, Illinois Health and Hospital Association, will join other healthcare experts for HNI's in-person Chicago event to discuss the statewide impact of the Medicaid changes resulting from the recently-signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Click here to register.

State Launches Legal Hotline and Resource Hub for LGBTQIA+ Community
Gov. JB Pritzker announced yesterday the launch of IL Pride Connect, a new statewide resource hub and first of its kind legal hotline that expands access to legal information and support for LGBTQIA+ individuals across Illinois. The Illinois Dept. of Human Services (IDHS), in collaboration with community partners, will lead the initiative. IL Pride Connect provides two key tools: a digital resource hub and a free legal hotline (855-805-9200). The legal hotline that operates Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and provides real-time information and referrals, including on name and gender marker changes, housing and education rights, and access to healthcare and public benefits.

KFF Projects Rising Uninsured Rates Following Passage of Budget Reconciliation Bill
A new KFF analysis applies Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projections to estimate the state-by-state impact of the recently enacted budget reconciliation bill. According to CBO, as many as 10 million people could lose coverage and be uninsured by 2034. KFF cautions the actual number may be even higher, since the estimates do not reflect potential effects of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Marketplace Integrity and Affordability final rule issued in June.

The report includes interactive maps showing projected changes in state uninsured rates. Under current law with the budget bill alone KFF estimates 20 states could see uninsured rates climb by 3% or more. KFF projects Illinois’ uninsured rates will increase by 4% over the next 10 years, with 470,000 Illinoisans estimated to lose coverage. The analysis further noted that the combined effects of the budget law and the expiration of the ACA enhanced tax credits could lead to an estimated 520,000 Illinoisans losing coverage by 2034. 

FBI Warns Cybercriminals Attacking Devices Using Cisco Software
The FBI has released an advisory warning of ongoing cyber threats from Russian hackers exploited outdated networking equipment and protocols, including an unpatched vulnerability in Cisco Smart Install software. The agency said the actors have accessed thousands of networking devices across critical infrastructure sectors. On some devices, the files were modified to enable unauthorized access to the devices. The vulnerability was initially publicized in 2018, and also highlighted in a Joint Advisory in May 2025.