August 22, 2025/
WATCH: IL child welfare interns debate heats up; state financial audit released
(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.
⚠️ Tornado Watch issued June 17 at 7:49AM CDT until June 17 at 3:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
⚠️ Wind Advisory issued June 17 at 1:55AM CDT until June 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Today Jun 16
85° 66°
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
IL State rep: Grants are paying off in effort to combat auto thefts, carjackings
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bipartisan group of elected officials are applauding a new round of state grants to help police...
Illinois asks Supreme Court not to give Trump authority over National Guard
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The state of Illinois asked the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear President Donald Trump's request to deploy the National Guard to Chicago amid a...
9th Circuit rules Trump can activate National Guard to protect ICE in Portland
By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit on Monday overturned a temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge...
WATCH: Pritzker not confident Trump can solve soybean trade deal with China
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With shipments of soybeans last month to China dropping to zero for the first time since November...
State senator points to failures as Illinois governor celebrates veterans home
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has announced the investment of nearly $300 million in taxpayer funds for a new...
Trump addresses Georgia’s years-long migrant farm worker concerns
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration implemented a new rule on Oct. 2 that would revise wage standards for immigrant farm workers across the country. Under this new...
Ongoing federal funding lapse now longest full government shutdown in history
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The federal government has broken a record: its 20th day of closure marks the longest full government shutdown ever. As of Monday, it is also...
Federal courts limit operations as funding lapse continues
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square As a partial federal government shutdown enters its third week, federal courts said they would limit unfunded operations across the judiciary, possibly delaying some cases....
Lake Land College Extends President Bullock’s Contract to 2028, Sets New Strategic Goals
Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | September, 2025 Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees unanimously approved a three-year contract extension for President Dr. Jonathan "Josh" Bullock,...
Clark County 4-H Foundation Announces Scholarship Opportunities
The Clark County 4-H Foundation is pleased to announce important scholarship opportunities for local youth pursuing higher education. Committed to supporting the academic endeavors of its members, the Foundation offers...
US Army, contractors constructing miles of border wall barriers in Arizona
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Despite an ongoing government shutdown, the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and contractors are actively constructing miles of new border wall in Arizona....
Illinois ranks in lower half in new ‘Safest States’ poll
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. Chris Miller views the state’s bottom-feeder ranking in a new Safest States in...
WATCH: Hegseth announces another boat strike as tensions build
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Department of War Pete Hegseth announced another deadly military strike on a suspected drug boat as President Donald Trump warned Columbia to destroy the nation's...
