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.
⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 8 at 12:44PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 7
80° 70°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
WATCH: Pritzker threatens executive action regulating hemp if legislature won’t act
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − After previous attempts were unsuccessful, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he may take executive action to address...
WATCH: Illinois congresswoman OK withholding federal tax funds to change state policy
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congresswoman says she’s OK with plans of withholding federal tax dollars from Illinois if it...
Chicago mayor: ‘We do not have a spending problem’ as spending, deficit grows
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Mayor Brandon Johnson says Chicago does not have a spending problem, even as city government spending soars...
WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker ’nothing’ in public safety push; U.S. Rep. Mary Miller live
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop airs the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Three dead outside Berwyn school; steady economic conditions reported
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Three dead outside Berwyn school A Berwyn middle school is closed for instruction today after three people died in what authorities...
Joliet Junior College, City of Joliet to Explore Joint Public Safety Institute
Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | September 2025 Article SummaryThe Joliet Junior College (JJC) Board of Trustees approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Joliet to begin...
WATCH: Illinois prison mail scanning rule faces lawmaker scrutiny
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Emergency rules from the Illinois Department of Corrections to scan inmate mail are under review by...
Green Garden Township Confronts Massive 600-Megawatt Solar Project Proposal
Article Summary: A Virginia-based energy company is planning a 600-megawatt commercial solar facility that could cover over 5,000 acres of farmland across Green Garden, Wilton Center, and Manhattan Townships, sparking...
Green Garden Township Gets Green Light for New Town Hall Grant After Dramatic Reversal
Article Summary: After initially denying a request to transfer a $558,000 grant to a new building project, Will County has verbally reversed its decision, giving Green Garden Township the go-ahead...
Second Solar Farm with Battery Storage Proposed in Green Garden
Article Summary: A second, separate commercial solar project has been proposed in Green Garden Township by Turning Point Energy, adding to residents' growing concerns about farmland being converted for energy...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Green Garden Township Board for September 8, 2025
The Green Garden Township Board meeting on September 8 was dominated by major developments concerning two separate large-scale solar farm proposals and a dramatic, last-minute reversal on grant funding for...
JJC Moves Forward with Major Technology Overhaul to Modernize College Operations
Article Summary: The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees received a detailed update on a sweeping Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project, a major initiative designed to modernize the college's core...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees for August 20, 2025
The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees focused on a major technological overhaul, celebrated milestones in student support, and addressed internal governance issues at its regular meeting on August 20,...
