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 3
87° 64°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Pope’s AI warnings match Americans’ responses; Cabinet reaction mixed
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native, on Monday continued the legacy of his predecessor with a social encyclical addressing artificial intelligence – as much a...
Exclusive: Poll says taxpayer funds shouldn’t go to public college athletic departments
By Jon StyfThe Center Square American taxpayers are against using tax money to fund public college athletic departments in the era of name, image and likeness payments to athletes, according...
Exclusive: Poll shows Americans opposed to legalized sports wagering
By Jon StyfThe Center Square Sports betting legalization is supported by just 31% of Americans with 47% saying they are opposed, according to a new Overton Insights poll exclusively provided...
Illinois Quick Hits: Independents launch campaigns for governor, Congress
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Independent gubernatorial candidate Collin Corbett has filed petitions to challenge Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Republican Darren Bailey...
South Carolina off the redistricting bandwagon
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Cross South Carolina off the redistricting list that has swept the nation since the storm blew out of Texas in July. Usually done after apportionment...
Beecher to Rewrite Ordinance on Ebikes, Golf Carts to Match State Law
Beecher Village Board Meeting | May 11, 2026 Article Summary: The Beecher Village Board on Monday, May 11, 2026, unanimously directed the village attorney to draft an ordinance amending village...
Meta to ask appeals court to end biometrics suit over Messenger filters
By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Southern Illinois federal judge will allow Meta to ask a federal appeals panel if its Facebook Messenger program can be subject...
Paxton pushes Cornyn out of longtime U.S. Senate seat
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday ousted four-term incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn during a night of major upsets and a race that got...
Costco says no refunds owed to customers for tariff price hikes
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square CHICAGO — Warehouse club retail giant Costco says it doesn't owe its customers any refunds for higher prices they paid when Costco...
Dems decide against joining fraud roundtable at White House
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Democratic attorneys general decided against attending a Tuesday roundtable at the White House to discuss fraud in welfare, including Medicaid. Speaking to reporters during a...
VA launches MDMA trial years in the making for veterans
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on Tuesday launched a clinical trial testing MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder,...
AI safety regulations advance in Springfield, despite industry concern
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A push to regulate artificial intelligence products in Illinois has taken a major step toward becoming law....
EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Border Patrol chief retires after historic drop in illegal border crossings
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Mike Banks, who was the first U.S. Border Patrol chief during President Donald Trump’s second term, has reentered retirement after helping bring illegal border crossings...
