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 Advisory issued June 7 at 4:31PM CDT until June 7 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 6
70°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
GOP oversight report: Democrats created ‘culture of fraud’
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square After two years of hearings, whistleblower testimony and document reviews, Minnesota House Republicans say they’ve uncovered what they describe as an “unprecedented” pattern of fraud...
Illinois Republicans blame taxes, lawsuits after Morton Salt exits Chicago
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Republican lawmakers are warning that the departure of iconic salt producer Morton Salt from Chicago is...
Data center regulations weighed; some worry over jobs, energy, taxes
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Major bills in both the state Senate and House may heavily regulate data centers in the state....
Supreme Court affirms court authority in discrimination suit
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on Thursday, ruled that a lower court can determine an arbitration award in an employment discrimination case....
Illinois ranks 46th out of 50 states for financial transparency
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report ranks Illinois 46 out of 50 states for financial transparency, partly due to the...
Solutions differ for Chicago Public Schools’ potential $1B deficit
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union says the city’s public schools could face a $1 billion budget deficit if...
U.S. Supreme Court rules against trucking industry
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision Thursday, agreed that states can protect individuals injured in trucking accidents. The case, Montgomery v. Caribe Transport,...
Exclusive: AGO speculated WA Supreme Court might ‘punt’ on millionaire’s tax
By TJ MartinellThe Center Square Washington Attorney General's Office officials described the state Supreme Court as “favorable a venue as we’re likely to get” to thwart a referendum on a...
Illinois Quick Hits: Dems look at Chicago for national conventions
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Democrat National Convention’s committee on site selection visited Chicago this week, again considered the city for...
Paramount-Warner merger could create 40,000 jobs, report says
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A proposed merger between Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery could create thousands of jobs and inject nearly $1 billion annually into Hollywood movie production,...
Powell secures Democrat nomination in key swing district
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Denise Powell won the Democratic nomination in Nebraska's second congressional district, according to projections from multiple media outlets. Powell edged out state Sen. John Cavanaugh...
Canadian border crimes: Multi-million grandparent, crypto scam; human smuggling
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Northern border crimes continue to be prosecuted against Canadian citizens for a range of multi-million-dollar scams targeting Americans nationwide. The U.S. investigations are being led...
Zinc Leaching and Flooding Concerns Dominate Testimony at Will County Solar Hearing
Will County Board Special Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 12, 2026 Article Summary: Expert and resident testimonies during Tuesday's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting highlighted severe concerns over groundwater...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Special Planning and Zoning Commission for May 12, 2026
Will County Board Special Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 12, 2026 The Will County Board Planning and Zoning Commission convened for a special, court-ordered meeting on Tuesday to...
Access Will County Dial-A-Ride Reports Massive Growth After Consolidating Paratransit Services
Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Access Will County Dial-a-Ride program has seen explosive growth in ridership following a major consolidation...