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.
Today Jun 14
74° 56°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Supreme Court blocks ICE contractor immunity appeal
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, ruled that prison contractors cannot immediately appeal a trial court's decision, despite several claims to federal immunity....
Report: Patchwork state food laws could raise grocery prices 12% nationwide
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Differing state laws banning certain food ingredients or requiring new warning labels could raise grocery prices by about 12% in affected states and, potentially, nationwide...
Trump calls out Minnesota in State of the Union, prompting Democrat protests
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota Democrats faced off against President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address Tuesday night. Throughout the nearly two-hour speech, Democrats like U.S....
Parents could gain access to school discipline evidence under proposed bill
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are weighing legislation that would require public schools to share all evidence used to...
State of the Union highlighted political fracture between Democrats, Trump
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The State of the Union proved to be anything but unifying between President Donald Trump and Democrats, with many Democrats making their disdain for the...
Illinois Democrats dispute Trump statements during State of the Union
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump spewed lies and attempted to gaslight the American people during...
Illinois Quick Hits: State taxpayers to help restore historic Chicago hotel
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says $21 million in state capital funds will unlock more than $83 million...
Trump moves ahead with tariff plans after Supreme Court ruling
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled his tariffs illegal, President Donald Trump vowed to rebuild the protectionist measures and restore some of the highest import...
Illinois racial wealth gap among largest in country
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With Illinois ranked the eighth-worst state in the country for its racial wealth gap, Democratic State...
Judge: Right to sue under IL biometrics law too important to end suit vs Meta
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, can't use its user agreement to escape yet another potentially massive payout from a...
Executive Committee: Tension Rises as Republican Whip Removed from Panel
Will County Executive Committee Meeting | February 11, 2026 Article Summary: A dispute over committee appointments erupted when Republican leadership challenged the removal of Member Vince Logan from the Executive...
Ad-Hoc Committee: County Stripped of Power to Regulate Motor Races, Must Drop Solicitor Fees Due to State Statutes
Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | February 10, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee repealed county regulations regarding motor stunt events and removed...
Commission Overrides Staff Recommendation, Approves Manhattan Township Barn Expansion
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | February 17, 2026 Article Summary: A Manhattan Township homeowner received unanimous approval for three variances to expand a pole barn, despite county...
Chicago could owe $100M+ in refunds for excessive city tickets
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The city of Chicago could be on the hook for more than $160 million in refunds to thousands of vehicle owners slammed...
Illinois quick hits: Indiana House approves Bears stadium bill; Business, labor groups file petition to stop natural gas phaseout; Chicago woman gets 2 years for PPP fraud
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Indiana House approves Bears stadium bill The Indiana House of Representatives passed legislation to establish a Northwest Indiana stadium authority for...