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 Jul 21
74° 55°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Frankfort to Implement 1% Grocery Tax, Replacing State Levy to Preserve Revenue
FRANKFORT – Frankfort residents will see no change at the grocery checkout line, but the village will preserve a key revenue stream after the Village Board approved an ordinance Monday...
Frankfort to Sell Vacant Downtown Property Valued at $325,000 for Commercial Redevelopment
FRANKFORT – The Village of Frankfort is officially putting a prime piece of vacant, village-owned land in its historic downtown up for sale, aiming to spur immediate commercial redevelopment. The...
New Sushi Restaurant ‘The Orange Hat’ Approved for Frankfort
FRANKFORT – A new full-service sushi restaurant, The Orange Hat, is set to open in the Hickory Creek Market Place after the Village Board approved a special use permit for...
Village Board Approves Zoning Variances for New Custom Home on Bowen Street
FRANKFORT – The Frankfort Village Board on Monday approved two zoning variances for a new custom home at 50 E. Bowen Street, allowing the builder to use non-masonry siding and...
Meeting Summary: Frankfort Village Board for August 4, 2025
The Frankfort Village Board met on Monday, August 4, 2025, to address several key ordinances and conduct village business. The board approved a measure to replace the state's expiring 1%...
Indiana Woman Identified as Victim in Fatal Wilmington-Peotone Road Crash
The Will County Coroner’s Office has officially identified the woman killed in Tuesday’s fatal crash on Wilmington-Peotone Road as 70-year-old Judith L. Stirm of Delphi, Indiana. In a statement, Coroner...
Multiple Agencies Rescue Person in Mental Health Crisis from Frankfort Pond
A person experiencing a mental health crisis was safely rescued from a pond near 80th Avenue in Lakeview Estates on Wednesday after a coordinated response by multiple emergency agencies. Frankfort...
Green Garden Township Forges Ahead with New Town Hall Plan, Faces Budget and Neighbor Concerns
The Green Garden Township Board is advancing an ambitious plan to build a new, larger town hall and community center on a six-acre parcel south of its current location, a...
IT Consultant Urges Green Garden Township to Adopt Modern Cybersecurity Measures
Green Garden Township’s digital infrastructure is vulnerable to cybercrime and requires an immediate overhaul, including adopting a modern, secure email system and multifactor authentication, an IT consultant told the board...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Township Board for June 9, 2025
The Frankfort Township Board on Monday, June 9, 2025, approved its primary financial documents for the upcoming fiscal year, passing separate and balanced budget appropriation ordinances for the township and...
Sanchez Family Unveils Major Redevelopment Plan for Monee Industrial Property
Article Summary: Developer Luis Sanchez, a key figure in Monee's commercial growth for two decades, presented a plan to revitalize an industrial property on Industrial Drive. The project, which includes...
Monee Approves Over $566,000 Payment for New Public Works Facility Nearing Completion
Article Summary: The Monee Village Board approved a payment of $566,134.16 for the ongoing construction of its new Public Works building. Officials reported the project is on track for a...
Sheepdog Firearms Gets Green Light for Special Use Permit in Monee
Article Summary: Sheepdog Firearms received final approval from the Monee Village Board for a special use permit to operate a retail and firearms range facility at 25812 S. Sunset Drive....
