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
WATCH: Millionaire tax critic says AGO, Dems played politics instead of protecting residents
By TJ MartinellThe Center Square Emails obtained by The Center Square between the Washington Attorney General and Democratic leaders show Nick Brown's staff was playing politics instead of protecting the...
IL Supreme Court can’t just oust judges over speech: New filing
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square CHICAGO — The Illinois Supreme Court can't both overstep the bounds of their constitutional authority by ousting a judge for publicly supporting...
Illinois Republicans say Dems’ redistricting amendment would create more corrupt maps
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A newly proposed Illinois constitutional amendment would change the way legislative and representative districts are drawn in...
Vote postponed on Southwest congressmen’s wildfire bill
By Derek DraplinThe Center Square The Center Square) – Members of Congress debated a bill on Tuesday that would change how the federal government handles air quality monitoring influenced by...
Trump’s $1.5 trillion military budget: What taxpayers are getting
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Pentagon's top budget official said Tuesday that the agency's failure to pass eight consecutive audits shouldn't stop Congress from approving the largest military budget...
DOJ indicts Southern Poverty Law Center on wire, bank fraud charges
By Dan McCalebThe Center Square A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center on 11 counts of wire and bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money...
Ceasefire extended, fractured Iranian government cited
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square With hours left before the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was set to expire, President Donald Trump has extended it, citing a “seriously...
Lawmakers call for AI in financial literacy, systems
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Lawmakers and industry leaders proposed implementing artificial intelligence to address gaps in financial literacy across the country. The lawmakers spoke at Axios’ Financial Confidence event...
FTC probe into APA urged over contradictory stances on gender-affirming care for minors
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Medical group Do No Harm sent a letter Monday to the Federal Trade Commission urging an investigation into the American Psychological Association, accusing APA of...
Cherfilus-McCormick resigns from U.S. House
By Merrilee GasserThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from Florida, resigned from Congress Tuesday minutes before a House Ethics Committee hearing that would have decided sanctions against...
International Energy Agency leader says energy crisis worst in history
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel is creating the worst energy crisis ever faced by the world, the head of the...
Republicans unveil budget resolution allotting up to $140 billion for ICE, CBP
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans released a blueprint for their immigration enforcement funding bill Tuesday, paving the way to reopen the Department of Homeland Security, which has...
Military spy budget surges 49%, details secret
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's Pentagon requested $50 billion from taxpayers on Tuesday for a budget so secret that the military will only say how much it...
