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
After Kirk assassination, political left social media posts list ‘next’ targets
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In the wake of the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, thousands of social media posts appear to list politically conservative targets for...
DOJ arguing against Illinois’ gun ban ‘monumental,’ advocate says
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A gun rights advocate says that the U.S. Department of Justice coming to argue in front of...
Pastors hope Kirk’s faith is catalyst ‘to return America to a people of Godly values’
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In addition to expressing profound sorrow for the loss of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, pastors say they hope his death and life, marked...
Reporting firearm threats to principals ‘common sense,’ IL legislator says
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and law enforcement officer reacts to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's enacting a law requiring schools...
‘Radicalized’ shooter dead, two injured in wake of school shooting
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Authorities identified 16-year-old Desmond Holly as the shooter who injured two at Evergreen High School, which is nestled in the foothills about 30 miles west...
“Hey fascist! Catch!”: Authorities confirm writing on alleged Kirk killer’s bullet casings
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Utah Gov. Spencer Cox revealed on Friday that shell casings used by Charlie Kirk's alleged shooter had inscriptions on them. Cox said investigators determined the...
Illinois in Focus: Chicago Flips Red summons Trump; gun rights advocate on DOJ involvement
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the calls...
Memphis, Tennessee leaders thankful for National Guard announcement
By Kim JarrettThe Center Square Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, thanked President Donald Trump for saying he is deploying the National Guard to Memphis. Taylor said in a post...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker touts crime prevention; former radio host DuMont dies
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker touts crime prevention Gov. J.B. Pritzker continues to criticize President Donald Trump’s efforts to fight crime. In a statement released...
‘We got him:’ Kirk shooting suspect in custody
By J.D. Davidson and Dan McCalebThe Center Square Authorities on Friday confirmed the suspect in the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk is in custody. The suspect was...
Charlie Kirk shooter: Intelligent, inscriptions suggest online radicalization
By Kenneth SchruppThe Center Square Social media posts suggest Tyler Robinson, the suspect who authorities say shot Charlie Kirk, was a high achiever before attending college at Utah State University...
Search goes on for suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination
By Dave MasonThe Center Square The search continues for the suspect in the assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk. Authorities released more photos and a video of the suspect Thursday...
Free speech, freedom from violence a concern after Kirk killing
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Political activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination at an Utah college on Wednesday has drawn a renewed call for security measures to protect individuals across college campuses...
