WATCH: DCFS updates missing children numbers; Budget cuts EO transparency criticized
November 17, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the latest numbers on youth in care missing provided by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and gets reaction from Statehouse candidate Bailey Templeton, who is also seeking more transparency on the management of the child welfare agency.
Bishop also shares recent criticism from Illinois House Republicans to what they say is the lack of transparency around Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s recent executive order calling for state agencies to find efficiencies in their annual spending plan.
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°
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
DOJ to face audit for handling of Epstein files release
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Following the drawn-out and politically calamitous release of millions of federal documents related to the exploits of sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, the Department of Justice...
ISU strike enters third week; union sues over alleged strikebreaking
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Union support staff at Illinois State University has entered a third week on strike over failed contract...
Trump extends Jones Act waiver, citing national securit
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The Trump administration has suspended for an additional 90 days a law forbidding foreign-owned and crewed ships from transporting goods between U.S. ports in an...
Trump admin continues to crack down on fraudulent visa schemes
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Trump administration is continuing to crack down on fraudulent visa schemes that are occurring nationwide. In New Jersey, a Korean man pleaded guilty to...
Virginia 1 of 4 in courtroom battles for congressional redistricting
By Shirleen GuerraThe Center Square Less than 100 days into Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration, Virginia’s redistricting fight is unfolding across multiple fronts, from the ballot box to the Legislature and...
Johnson’s Solo Homer, Combined Shutout Lift Beecher Past Wilmington 4-0
The Beecher varsity softball team utilized timely hitting and a stellar combined pitching performance to secure a 4-0 non-conference road victory over Wilmington on Thursday afternoon. Beecher (25-26) broke a...
13-Run Second Inning Propels Beecher Past Illinois Lutheran 15-0
A monumental 13-run explosion in the second inning and a combined two-hit shutout on the mound propelled the Beecher varsity baseball team to a dominant 15-0 home conference victory over...
Illinois Quick Hits: State gaming board renew Rockford casino license
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Gaming Board has renewed Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s license for four years, retroactive to January...
Arizona GOP pushes to protect Colorado River’s limited water
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Arizona Republicans are seeking to protect the Colorado River as its water supply continues to dwindle. State Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert; state House Speaker...
Republicans challenge Clyde in Georgia’s 9th District
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Incumbent Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., is facing a primary challenger in his bid to hold on to his 9th District post. Sam Couvillon and Joel...
Fort Bragg soldier’s case continues Tuesday in New York
By Alan WootenThe Center Square An enlisted soldier at Fort Bragg was granted $250,000 bond release on Friday and will have his charges of using classified information to win $400,000...
Justice Department drops Federal Reserve probe, kicks to watchdog
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said Friday she is closing the Justice Department's criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, days after a...
Pritzker: ‘Need for speed’ for megaprojects bill with tax breaks
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says there is a need for speed when it comes to the Chicago Bears...
