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
Weather Delays Force Extension of Leaf Collection in Beecher
Village of Beecher Meeting | November 24, 2025 Article Summary: The Village of Beecher is extending its annual leaf collection program through mid-December due to recent snow and rain delays....
Beecher Digs Out from 12.4 Inches of Snow; Sub-Zero Cold Forecast for Friday
Article Summary: Beecher residents are clearing more than a foot of snow following a major weekend storm, while forecasters warn of a dangerous drop in temperatures and additional snowfall arriving...
Illinois rejects federal ‘no tax on tips’ rule, keeps state tax on tipped income
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois is not adopting the new federal “no tax on tips” provision, meaning tipped workers in...
Contractors Clash on Cause of Elementary School Leaks; Committee Weighs Window Replacement
Beecher School Board Facilities Committee Meeting | November 24, 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher School District 200-U Facilities Committee reviewed proposals for replacing windows at the Elementary School but paused...
Frankfort Turns to County for Wildlife & Dangerous Animal Control
Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Village of Frankfort has entered into a two-year agreement with Will County Animal Protection Services to handle calls regarding bats...
JJC Foundation Director Kristin Mulvey to Retire After 25 Years of Transformative Leadership
Joliet Junior College Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:Kristin Mulvey, the longtime Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and the JJC Foundation, was honored by the Board of Trustees as...
Attack foiled in Ft. Worth day before National Guard troops shot in WDC
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Another Afghan-related terrorist attack was foiled one day before two National Guardsmen were shot in Washington, D.C., federal authorites said Saturday. The alleged perpetrators were...
Hundreds of flights canceled in Chicago as winter storm wreaks havoc
By Dan McCaleb | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – More than 1,000 flights were canceled or delayed at Chicago's airports Saturday as a winter storm threatened...
WATCH: IL legislator wants more transparency for taxpayer funded credit cards
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Democratic state legislator is looking to require more transparency for how local governments in Illinois use...
Beecher Officials Review Recreational Fire Rules Following Smoke Complaints
Village of Beecher Meeting | November 24, 2025 Article Summary: Beecher Village President Marcy Meyer initiated a discussion regarding potential updates to the village's recreational fire ordinance following resident complaints...
Crete “Group Care” Home Approved for Senior Living
Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board unanimously approved a special use permit for a senior group care home in Crete Township. The facility...
Fiscal Fallout: States continue to increase budgets despite end of COVID emergency
By Arthur KaneThe Center Square States around the country, hooked on billions of federal dollars that flooded in during COVID, don't want the party to end. But the pandemic subsided...
Colorado lost record $24 million to data scams in 2024
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado residents lost a record high $24 million to personal data scams in 2024, according to a data forensics firm. That was four times the...
