WATCH: DCFS updates missing children numbers; Budget cuts EO transparency criticized
November 17, 2025/
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the latest numbers on youth in care missing provided by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and gets reaction from Statehouse candidate Bailey Templeton, who is also seeking more transparency on the management of the child welfare agency.
Bishop also shares recent criticism from Illinois House Republicans to what they say is the lack of transparency around Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s recent executive order calling for state agencies to find efficiencies in their annual spending plan.
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 Jul 23
78° 60°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Federal panel proposes new definition for sports betting
By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Betting on a football score isn't gambling. At least not according to the federal Commodities Futures Trading Commission. The commission recently proposed rule changes to...
Illinois Venezuelans face economic ‘double whammy’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois Venezuelan Alliance leader says inflation is a double whammy for members of his community. Jose...
Ohio’s social media parental consent law allowed to go forward
By David BeasleyThe Center Square Calling it a win for families, Ohio’s new attorney general Friday praised a federal appeals court ruling that allows the state’s social media age verification...
HUD secretary discusses housing affordability during Michigan visit
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner visited Lansing this week to promote a number of affordable housing projects in mid-Michigan. This comes...
Will County Land Bank Clears Committee With Two Amendments
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | June 11, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, June 11, 2026, recommended creating a Will County Land Bank...
Will County Committee Advances $179,000 Coroner Cot Purchase
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | June 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Finance Committee on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, voted to advance a request authorizing $179,000...
Israel-Hezbollah agree to ceasefire, U.S. official says
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire on Friday, a U.S. official confirmed to The Center Square. Overnight, 18 people were killed in Lebanon amid...
Wisconsin senator wants to reinstitute race-based scholarships via zip code
By Jon StyfThe Center Square A Wisconsin state senator is pledging to make changes after a Thursday Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that a minority scholarship aid program was unconstitutional. Wisconsin...
Poll: Data center opposition more important than competition with China
By Jon StyfThe Center Square American voters believe building more data centers in the United States are not worth the potential strain on local electricity, water and infrastructure and that...
Illinois Quick Hits: Fuel price drops below $4.25, still higher than in 2025
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – AAA’s average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois dropped to $4.24 on Friday,...
U.S.-Iran talks stalled after Israel-Hezbollah fighting
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance and negotiators in Iran have delayed peace talks and a planned formal signing of a peace agreement between the U.S. and...
California’s billionaire tax officially heads to Nov. 3 ballot
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square The controversial union-backed billionaire tax in California is officially heading to the Nov. 3 ballot. Secretary of State Shirley Weber announced the California Billionaire Tax...
Los Angeles County on track to raise sales tax to 10.25%
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A measure to raise the sales tax to 10.25% - intended to temporarily inject funds into Los Angeles County’s public healthcare safety net - continues...
