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.
Fri Jun 19
77° 58°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Pritzker, Johnson express concerns about 2028 DNC with Trump in office
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has questions about how federal law enforcement might act if Chicago plays host to...
Pritzker looks for rules for federal school choice scholarship program
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Despite having a similar state program expire, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker remains on the fence about whether...
Ex-deputy sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting...
Chicago homelessness on rise; advocates push for change
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness City Policy Manager M Nelson is looking to change the way...
Will County P&Z Approves Mokena Scrap Drop-Off Despite Municipal Objections
Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission granted a special use permit for an outdoor recyclable material drop-off facility...
Will County Braces for 6,000-Acre Solar Project; Prepare for ‘Massive’ Solar Hearings
Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Will County Braces for 6,000-Acre Solar Project; Commissioners Weigh Conflicts and Crowds Article Summary:The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission is...
Partial government shutdown looms after funding deal failure
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate failed to advance a package of the six remaining federal funding bills Thursday, leaving less than 40 hours until the federal government...
Lawmaker pushing bill to study insurance for gun owners
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gun rights advocates in Illinois are raising alarms over House Bill 43, legislation that would create...
Illinois lawmakers consider bill to restrict SNAP buys
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are considering legislation to limit what recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can...
Homan touts progress; vows Trump administration won’t back down on immigration
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square “Progress” is being made in Minnesota, Border Czar Tom Homan said during a news conference Thursday after being on the ground since Monday evening. Homan...
WATCH: Congressional seat at stake; Pritzker on Medicaid costs, school choice, ICE
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square's Greg Bishop continues to unpack data...
Illinois Quick Hits: Man charged with threatening ICE agents
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois man is charged with threatening to kill federal agents working for U.S. Immigration and Customs...
Sen. Amy Klobuchar announces run for Minnesota governor
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced Thursday morning that she will be running for Minnesota governor in the 2026 election cycle. This comes after current Gov....
