WATCH: IL child welfare interns debate heats up; state financial audit released
August 22, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks live with state Rep. Jed Davis about his continued concerns about the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services’ use of interns. He says he’s seeking legislative solutions but worries the issue could get buried heading into an election year.
Bishop also shares reaction to the state of Illinois’ fiscal year 2023 audit being released more than two years after the fiscal year concluded. Comptroller Susana Mendoza says future audits will be released quicker. Truth in Accounting’s Sheila Weinberg reacts.
Watch the full program below. Subscribe to Illinois in Focus Daily with The Center Square on YouTube. You can also subscribe to the Illinois in Focus podcast to get the entire show uninterrupted.
Latest News Stories
Govt shutdown raises concerns over national security
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As partisan divides appear to deepen and prolong the partial government shutdown, bipartisan lawmakers said they are concerned about national security effects of the funding...
Ex-speaker Madigan to begin 7.5-year prison sentence Monday
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One day before the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session is scheduled to begin, one of the...
Will County’s Gas-to-Energy Plant Reports Nearly $460,000 Net Loss Amid Operational Setbacks
Will County Finance Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: Will County's Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) plant at the county landfill posted a net loss of nearly $460,000 for the...
Will County to Draft First-Ever Policy on Artificial Intelligence Use
Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board's Capital Improvements & IT Committee has initiated the process of drafting a comprehensive...
Will County Sees 50% Drop in Opioid Deaths, But Alarming Rise in Suicides
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: Will County is experiencing a dramatic 50% reduction in opioid overdose deaths compared to last year, a...
Will County Board Backs Effort to Rename ‘Stigmatizing’ Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal
Will County Executive Committee Meeting October 9, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board has thrown its support behind a regional effort to rename the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal,...
Access Will County Dial-a-Ride on Track for Full County-Wide Service in 2026
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Access Will County dial-a-ride program is set for a major expansion in 2026, with plans to...
Trump says new 100% tariff on China as trade war escalates
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Friday said imports from China will face a new 100% tariff "over and above" existing import taxes on the world's second-largest...
Arizona congressman calls for end to government shutdown
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Arizona, wants Democrats to “come to their senses” and end the government shutdown. Hamadeh told The Center Square that Democrats’ reasons...
WATCH: Pritzker continues encouraging ICE protests after Guard blocked
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With the National Guard’s deployment in Illinois for public safety blocked by a federal judge, Gov. J.B....
Illinois quick hits: Ag incentives announced; Cook County announces increased budget
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ag incentives announced The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Agriculture have announced $67 million in funding to...
Senator urges Rubio to move forward designating Antifa a foreign terror organization
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump expressed a desire to designate Antifa a foreign terror organization; now, a U.S. senator is urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to...
Divided Will County Board Authorizes Condemnation for 143rd Street Widening
Article Summary: Following intense debate and emotional public testimony, the Will County Board narrowly approved a resolution to begin condemnation proceedings for the controversial widening of 143rd Street in Homer...
