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.
Today Jun 11
82° 61°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Ohio’s American-owned nuclear energy company plans expansion
By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square If the federal government comes through with funding, one of the country’s only uranium enrichment facilities expects to expand. Centrus Energy announced Thursday morning the...
Trump demands investigation into ‘sabotage’ during U.N. speech
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for an investigation into what he said were "sinister events" before and during his high-profile United Nations speech a...
WATCH: McMahon discusses education at Reagan Institute
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized literacy, artificial intelligence, civil discourse and education funding at the Reagan Institute Summit on Education. Indiana Education Secretary Katie...
Illegal border crossings near record low in August
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – Illegal border crossings in August remained at near record lows although they were slightly up from July. Illegal crossings in...
Lower U.S. oil production projected in 2026
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square Activity in the oil and gas sector declined slightly in the third quarter of 2025, according to executives at exploration and production firms headquartered in...
GOP leader disputes Newsom’s comments on Colbert’s show
By Dave MasonThe Center Square The Republican leader in the California Assembly said Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom went too far when he told CBS host Stephen Colbert he feared there...
‘Ivy League’ doesn’t mean excellent medical schools, according to new index
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square In a new public ranking of American medical schools, two public Florida universities outscored the medical colleges at Harvard and the Mayo Clinic. The Medical...
Report: ‘weaknesses’ and ‘unusual increases’ found in management of Ukrainian aid
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Some of the $45 billion American taxpayer dollars sent to the Ukrainian government as foreign aid may have been mishandled, according to a new report...
WATCH: Illinois lawmakers clash over election consolidation and compulsory voting
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are weighing boosting voter turnout by consolidating elections and considering compulsory voting. During a...
Gubernatorial candidate calls for reason, peace outside Illinois ICE facility
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski says repealing the TRUST Act to end the state’s sanctuary status is...
Report: Soros foundation gave $80M to groups tied to ‘extremist violence’
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Amid President Donald Trump officially designating Antifa a domestic terror organization, a new report details how a prominent billionaire may be funneling millions to extremist...
Colorado economists warn of potential recession, cite tariffs
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado is now expected to be nearly $100 million short of the statutory reserve requirement for fiscal year 2024-2025, according to state economists. This comes...
Colombian President calls for criminal charges against Trump over boat strikes
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for a criminal investigation into President Donald Trump and other U.S. officials after three deadly military strikes on suspected drug...
