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 16 at 2:13PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 16 at 2:12PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Tue Jun 16
73° 59°
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois gains population for third straight year
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, Illinois’ population has risen for the third straight...
Chicago mayor calls for local government ‘process’ to prosecute feds
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago officials are digging in against federal immigration law enforcement. City council committees on police and fire...
U.S. population growth slows after Trump border policies enacted
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The growth in U.S. population slowed significantly from July 2024 to July 2025 as President Donald Trump's border enforcement policies slowed international migration, according to...
Maryland joins mid-decade redistricting fight
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Legislators in Maryland introduced a bill Tuesday that proposed Congressional redistricting. The bill would add Maryland to the number of states that have undergone mid-decade...
Democrats call for Noem’s removal after second fatal shooting by DHS agent
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square In wake of the second fatal shooting in Minneapolis over the weekend, Democrats are overwhelmingly demanding the removal of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi...
Illinois cannabis industry cautious on child-safety bill, questions focus on regulated products
By Cat Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A newly introduced bill in the Illinois Senate would add new child-safety education, warning labels and...
87 indicted in TdA, Colombian, Venezuelan ATM jackpotting scheme in Nebraska
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square So far, 87 people have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Nebraska for their roles in a jackpotting scheme using malware at ATMs...
States, caregivers can now view key metrics for state child welfare systems
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Foster parents, caregivers and state agencies can now review high-level data of all 50 states’ child welfare systems, comparing permanency and safety outcomes across states....
More Illinois Catholic schools close; candidates call for change
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Illinois Republican candidates for governor call for school choice, more Catholic schools are closing in the...
U.S. effort to limit China’s influence reaches Latin America
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square The Trump administration’s effort to curb China’s influence in the Western Hemisphere is impacting politics across Latin America, including in countries where conservative candidates want...
Govt. shutdown risk spikes as Senate Democrats vow to tank funding package
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Senate Republicans’ hopes of finishing the government funding process without incident were dashed over the weekend with a second fatal shooting of a protester in...
Report: EU regulations cost billions for American tech companies
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square European regulators are targeting American companies with policies that stifle American competitiveness in the technology industry, according to a new report. Consumers’ Defense, a 501(c)(4)...
Acting ICE director ordered to court by Minnesota federal judge
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A Minnesota federal judge has ordered the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to appear before him Friday. Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz...
