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: Grants issued for apprenticeship programs
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced Monday that they awarded...
K-12 schools, higher ed institutions prevail in diversity litigation
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Threats to federal funds at K-12 schools and institutions of higher education because of diversity policies have been squashed in a federal courtroom in Virginia....
Medical group debunks recent study on racial concordance, says patient outcomes not improved by philosophy
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Medical group Do No Harm released a report Tuesday that it says debunks a study on racial concordance, with a Do No Harm leader stating...
County Approves $22 Million in Road Projects for Lorenzo Road and Mills Road
Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved major infrastructure contracts, including an $18.8 million bridge replacement on Lorenzo Road and a $3.2...
Three Democrats seeking Illinois U.S. Senate seat debate in Chicago
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Immigration and taxation policies are front and center for Democratic Party candidates seeking to replace Illinois U.S....
Emissions permitted? ‘Irrelevant’ vs lawsuits: IL Sup Ct
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Businesses in Illinois hit by blizzards of potentially ruinous lawsuits over alleged harm caused by emissions from their factories or other facilities...
As snowfall tapers, ‘deep freeze’ sets in as another potential storm on the horizon
By Morgan Sweeney and Ava OttThe Center Square Winter Storm Fern has left hundreds of thousands without power and claimed a number of lives across the country, and the cold...
California legislators react to ICE’s fatal shooting of citizen
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square In reaction to Saturday's fatal shooting of an American citizen in Minnesota by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, California lawmakers are introducing legislation designed...
Senate Judiciary to hear Minnesota fraud allegations
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee will hear new accusations regarding the Minnesota fraud scandal investigation. The hearing, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday, will likely...
Trump: Minnesota fraud, riots linked
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As protests continue in Minneapolis after the Saturday shooting death of a city resident by an immigration officer, the Trump administration is blaming local and...
WA leaders intensify opposition to federal immigration enforcement efforts
By TJ MartinellThe Center Square Washington state elected officials are intensifying their opposition to federal immigration enforcement efforts following the shooting of a protester in Minnesota by Immigration and Customs...
WATCH: Trump, Walz speak; White House puts demands on Minnesota leaders
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As tensions continue to rise in Minneapolis and immigration officials ratchet up enforcement, President Donald Trump announced a potential breakthrough in a stalemate between Trump...
Police group urges White House to convene law enforcement officials to work together
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Following a second fatal shooting in Minneapolis involving immigration officials, a prominent law enforcement organization is urging the White House to bring together local, state...
