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.
⚠️ Flood Watch issued June 10 at 9:11PM CDT until June 11 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Wed Jun 10
88° 60°
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Will County P&Z Forwards Monee and Manhattan Residential Projects
Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: The PZC approved zoning requests facilitating residential improvements in Monee and Manhattan. The approvals allow for the construction of...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Beecher for January 26, 2026
Village of Beecher Meeting | January 26, 2026 The Beecher Village Board of Trustees met on Monday, January 26, 2026, to handle significant policy updates and financial business. The primary...
Will County P&Z: Wilton Township Wedding Venue Secured for 2026 Season
Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: For the third consecutive year, the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a temporary use permit for...
Beecher Library Board Approves Personnel Changes Following Executive Session
Beecher Public Library District Board Meeting | December 16, 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher Library Board hired a new part-time employee and approved a new independent contractor position for book...
Chicago FOP boss: Mayor’s ICE on Notice order is ‘piece of toilet paper’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order directing members of the city’s police department to...
Lawmaker, officer: ‘Blue Envelope” could help navigate autism during stops
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker who also serves in law enforcement says proposed legislation creating a “Blue Envelope”...
Will County P&Z Grants Variances for Unpermitted Structures in Crete and Manhattan
Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Planning and Zoning Commission approved variances for property owners in Crete and Manhattan who built agricultural structures without...
Village Authorizes Collective Bidding for Electricity Rates
Village of Beecher Meeting | January 26, 2026 Article Summary: To combat fluctuating energy prices, the Beecher Village Board authorized the Village Administrator to lock in fixed electricity rates for...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Landfill Committee for Jan. 13, 2026
Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 The Will County Board Landfill Committee met on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, to address operational improvements at the Prairie View Landfill...
Monee Police warn residents of phone scammers impersonating officers
MONEE, Ill. – The Monee Police Department issued a community alert this week regarding a resurgence of telephone scams in which fraudsters are impersonating police officers to solicit money from residents....
Will County P&Z Approves Mokena Scrap Drop-Off Despite Municipal Objections
Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission granted a special use permit for an outdoor recyclable material drop-off facility...
Will County Braces for 6,000-Acre Solar Project; Prepare for ‘Massive’ Solar Hearings
Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Will County Braces for 6,000-Acre Solar Project; Commissioners Weigh Conflicts and Crowds Article Summary:The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission is...
Beecher Board Updates Village Construction and Safety Codes
Village of Beecher Meeting | January 26, 2026 Article Summary: The Beecher Village Board has updated its building and safety regulations by adopting the 2021 International Code series. The new...
