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
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....
New Lenox Prepares for Grand Opening of Wintrust Crossroads Sports Complex
NEW LENOX – After months of anticipation and intensive work, the New Lenox Community Park District is making final preparations for the grand opening of its flagship Wintrust Crossroads Sports...
New Lenox D122 Board Approves Tentative Budget, Sets September Public Hearing
The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education has approved a tentative budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, maintaining its long-standing practice of balanced budgets funded by existing cash...
New Lenox Township Food Pantry Reports Record Demand in May
NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Township Food Pantry experienced a record level of need in May, serving 431 families and 1,107 individuals, according to a report at the June...
New Lenox to Dedicate Street Honoring Pope Leo XIV, Citing Deep Local Ties
NEW LENOX – The Village of New Lenox is celebrating its unique connection to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, by...
D122 Renews Insurance Policies for Nearly $490,000
The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education has renewed its property/casualty and worker's compensation insurance policies for the 2025-2026 school year, with total costs amounting to nearly $490,000....
New Lenox Township Addresses Cemetery Needs, Appoints New Liaison
NEW LENOX – New Lenox Township is turning its attention to the care and potential expansion of its cemeteries, an effort that will be spearheaded by a newly elected trustee....
New Lenox Police Chief Louis Alessandrini Retires; Sgt. David Nykiel Promoted in Leadership Transition
NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Police Department is undergoing a significant leadership transition as Police Chief Louis Alessandrini retires after 20 years with the village, celebrated with an emotional...
