WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Academy of General Dentistry, Chicago, Illinois, has submitted a public comment letter to the Food and Drug Administration regarding the urgent need for a review of orally ingestible prescription drug products containing fluoride for the pediatric population. Representing 40,000 members, AGD asserts that these products are critical for preventing dental caries in children, particularly in communities that have chosen to forego water fluoridation. Fluoride drops and ta  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- Casa Central, Chicago, Illinois, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services expressing deep concerns regarding the agency's recent reinterpretation of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA). The organization, which provides Head Start services to young children in the greater Chicago area, argues that the changes threaten to impede their ability to serve vulnerable families and cou  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 16 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news: * * * Congressman Mike Bost Joins FHLBank Chicago to Discuss Rural Housing Solutions for Southern Illinois with Midland States Bank, C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation and Local Officials Very Low-Income Homeowners in Southern Illinois Rehabilitate Properties Using Grant Funds * EFFINGHAM, Ill. (August 15, 2025) - U.S. Representative Mi  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release: * * * Durbin Demands The Acting Inspector General Investigate The Trump Administration's Purging Of FBI Officials CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged the Department of Justice's Acting Inspector General William Blier to investigate the arbitrary removals, forced retirements,  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Illinois Primary Health Care Association has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services voicing strong opposition to the proposed redefinition of the Health Center Program as a "Federal Public Benefit" under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. This designation, outlined in a recent Federal Register notice, is seen by the organization as detrimental to the mission of community health cen  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The House Judiciary Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-200) on the Stop Illegal Entry Act (H.R. 3486), which aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase penalties for individuals who illegally enter and reenter the U.S. after being removed. The report was advanced by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, on July 15, 2025. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose and Summary H.R. 3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK), would i  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: * * * Justice Department Sues California to End Enforcement of Unlawful Emissions Standards for Trucks * Note: View EDCA complaint here. View EDCA motion to intervene memo here. View NDIL complaint here. View NDIL motion to intervene memo here. The Justice Department this week filed two complaints in federal courts against the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regarding the State's enforcement of  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division issued the following news release on Aug. 15, 2025: * * * Justice Department Sues California to End Enforcement of Unlawful Emissions Standards for Trucks The Justice Department this week filed two complaints in federal courts against the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regarding the State's enforcement of preempted emissions standards through its so-called "Clean Truck Partnership" with hea  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services urging the agency to retract its recent guidance interpreting "federal public benefit" under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. LCHD argues that the new interpretation is detrimental to public health services in Lake County, where it serves over 700,000 residents. In the letter, LC  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release on Aug. 14, 2025: * * * Senate Judiciary Democrats Urge Robust Funding For Federal Defenders In FY26 Appropriations Bill In a letter to leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Senators admonish the proposed steep funding shortfall for Defender Services by the House, which would result in 600+ layoffs SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Wh  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- Start Early, Chicago, Illinois, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services expressing deep concerns regarding the agency's new interpretation of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) as it relates to Head Start programs. The organization emphasized that this reinterpretation could negatively impact the delivery of essential early childhood education to thousands of low-income families  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The United Parent Leaders Action Network, Chicago, Illinois, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services raising alarms over a recent proposal that reclassifies certain programs as "federal public benefit." This change, which includes the important Head Start program, could severely impact children and families who rely on these essential services, prompting UPLAN and its coalition of early childhood advocates to call for an im  more