Medicaid is one of Illinois government’s largest and fastest-growing expenses, accounting for more than 28 percent of the state’s total operating budget.1 It has also been a prime target of waste, fraud and abuse, earning a “high risk” designation from the U.S. Government Accountability Office.2 Most states, including Illinois, have focused fraud-prevention efforts on provider...

How an Illinois state board known mainly for corruption operates a Soviet-style system proven to fail.

Full-time workers make up less than one-third of Illinois’ Medicaid rolls.