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.
Sun Jun 7
81° 70°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Illinoisans may soon need registration, title, license to use e-bikes, scooters
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinoisans may soon be required to register their e-bikes, motorized scooters and other various modes of transport...
Pritzker’s commission report pushes for local investigations of federal ‘brutality’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Illinois Accountability Commission has released its report on alleged abuses by federal immigration law...
Illinois mulls change allowing pension investment in anti-Israel companies
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Multiple speakers shared personal stories Thursday from the conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinians in an effort...
Board Establishes New Regulations and Fees for Wireless Telecommunication Facilities
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: In response to the state's Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, the Will County Board passed Ordinance 26-134 to manage the...
Historic Joseph Perry House in Crete Granted Landmark Status
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board officially designated the Joseph Ferris Perry House in Crete Township as a historical landmark, protecting the...
Will County Passes Comprehensive Adult Entertainment Ordinance
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board passed Ordinance 26-133, enacting Chapter 119 of the Business Regulations to establish rigorous licensing, operational, and...
Will County Takes Jurisdiction of Countyline Road in $1.84 Million Agreement with Kankakee County
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board has approved a jurisdictional transfer that brings a 4.27-mile stretch of Countyline Road entirely under Will...
Green Garden Township’s Wildflower Farm Granted Third Special Use Extension
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: Bengston Land Management, LLC secured a third extension on its special use permit to host rural events at The Wildflower...
Will County Board Approves Controversial Solar Farms Following Court Mandate
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: Under the strict constraints of a court-issued writ of mandamus, the Will County Board grudgingly approved multiple special use permits...
Oldest preserve expansion pushes acreage past 24,000 milestone
The Forest Preserve’s first acquisition of the year not only expands the District’s oldest preserve, it also pushes total acreage past the 24,000 mark. On March 27, the Forest Preserve...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for April 9, 2026
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | April 9, 2026 The Will County Board Executive Committee met on Thursday, April 9, 2026, to process a diverse agenda featuring major strategic,...
On the road to 100 years: How the Forest Preserve District expanded
As the Forest Preserve District approaches its centennial year in 2027 with a total of nearly 24,000 protected acres, it’s a good time to reflect on how the District grew...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee for April 14, 2026
Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | April 14, 2026 The Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee held a highly efficient meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026,...
Executive Committee Advances Sweeping Updates to Adult Entertainment and Wireless Facilities Ordinances
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | April 9, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee advanced two major ordinances completely rewriting the county's regulations for Adult Entertainment...
Ad-Hoc Committee: County Lowers Air Rifle Age to 13, Finds Airsoft Guns Beyond Local Regulatory Reach
Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | April 14, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee advanced updates to its public peace ordinances, lowering the...