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.
Today Jun 16
71° 59°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Will County Finance Committee Forwards 1.75% Compromise Property Tax Levy to Full Board
Will County Finance Committee Forwards 1.75% Compromise Property Tax Levy to Full Board Article Summary:The Will County Board’s Finance Committee on Tuesday, November 12, 2025, narrowly approved a series of...
Americans prepare to spend $1 trillion this holiday shopping season
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square More than half of all Americans plan to buy things over the five-day holiday weekend, the beginning of a retail shopping season with consumers projected...
Gas prices ahead of Thanksgiving holding steady
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The average price of gas has fallen in 2025, and it appears to be mostly holding steady around $3 heading into the Thanksgiving holiday –...
Illinois quick hits: Migrant youth allegedly murdered homeless Chicago man
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Migrant youth allegedly murdered homeless Chicago man Three juvenile Venezuelan migrants are part of a group that allegedly attacked, murdered, and...
WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker a ‘fat slob,’ Illinois governor blasts president
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump has revived his criticism of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over crime, and Pritzker has...
Illinois business group warns of ‘backbreaking’ progressive income tax
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Manufacturers say legislators at the Illinois State Capitol have done enough damage and a progressive tax would...
Illinois tops U.S. in pumpkin production despite recent decline in value
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Despite a recent decline in production value, Illinois is far and away the leader when it comes...
Congress moves to restore federal union powers, critics warn of higher costs
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Congress is set to vote on House Resolution 2550, a bill that would restore...
Illinois quick hits: Chiropractor sentenced for fraud; fatal airport shooting investigation
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chiropractor sentenced for fraud A Chicago chiropractor has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for billing a private...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Frankfort for November 17, 2025
Village of Frankfort Meeting | November 17, 2025 The Frankfort Village Board on Monday, November 17, 2025, approved a series of measures focused on new business development, public safety upgrades,...
Lincoln-Way 210 Receives Clean Audit, Financial Profile Score Downgraded to ‘Review’
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | November 20, 2025 Article Summary: Lincoln-Way District 210 received a clean, unmodified opinion for its Fiscal Year 2025 audit, the highest rating possible....
Committee Grants Lenox Solar Farm Project Six-Month Variance Extension
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | November 18, 2025 Article Summary:The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a 180-day extension for variances tied to a commercial...
Frankfort 157-C Implements New Plan to Combat Chronic Student Absenteeism
Frankfort School District 157-C Meeting | October 2025 Article Summary: Frankfort School District 157-C is rolling out a new, detailed attendance support plan aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism, an issue...
