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 9
88° 70°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Illinois quick hits: Madigan disbarred; taxpayers subsidize medical debt relief
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Madigan disbarred Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is no longer licensed to practice law in the Land of Lincoln. The...
Zoning Cases in Crete and Manhattan Townships Postponed to December 16
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | November 18, 2025 Article Summary:Two zoning cases, one in Crete Township and another in Manhattan Township, were postponed by the Will County...
Will County Commission Approves New Lenox Variances, Overriding Staff’s Denial Recommendation
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | November 18, 2025 Article Summary:The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved three variances for a 5.02-acre property in New Lenox Township,...
Will County Executive Committee to Hash Out Budget Cuts Following Levy Reduction
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | November 13, 2025 Article Summary: Following a Finance Committee vote to reduce the proposed 2026 property tax levy increase, Will County Board leaders on...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Beecher Board of Education for November 12, 2025
Beecher Board of Education Meeting | November 12, 2025 The Beecher Board of Education’s meeting on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, was highlighted by the recognition of numerous students for outstanding...
Reshoring manufacturing will take a more skilled workforce, small manufacturers say
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The federal government should help American businesses access highly skilled workers, continue to cut burdensome regulations and perhaps alter some of its tariff policies to...
WATCH: Feds take steps to dismantle ED, states respond
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Since the Trump administration’s moves to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, it has prompted a wide range of reactions from state education leaders nationwide....
Inflation-adjusted teacher salaries drop despite record spending on public education
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report says structural problems have led to record-high spending on public education in Illinois and...
State officials race clock amid legal changes to gerrymandered maps
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square States looking to pad partisan advantage by redrawing political maps ahead of the 2026 midterms face mounting legal challenges and a fresh race against the...
Illinois quick hits: CDC’s autism and vaccines website criticized by IDPH
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square CDC's autism and vaccines website criticized The Illinois Department of Public Health is criticizing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and...
Federal judge orders halt to National Guard deployment in DC
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A federal judge in the District of Columbia ordered the Trump administration to end its deployment of the National Guard in the nation's capital. Judge...
Consumer group files amicus brief on behalf of NRA’s petition to Supreme Court
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Consumers’ Research says consumers must be protected from government officials who abuse their power as it filed an amicus brief in support of the National...
Report links Minnesota welfare fraud to terrorist funding
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square New reports allege that millions of taxpayer dollars have been fraudulently stolen from the Minnesota welfare system and then sent to the Somali-based terror group...
