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.
⚠️ Wind Advisory issued June 17 at 1:55AM CDT until June 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Today Jun 16
84° 66°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: City of Marshall City Council for February 23, 2026
City of Marshall City Council Meeting | February 23, 2026 The regular meeting of the City of Marshall City Council was called to order at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, February...
Public school test scores continue to decline since pandemic
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Academic achievement in U.S. public schools continues to fall behind pre-pandemic levels, with national test data showing a persistent decline in math and reading scores...
Southwestern states react to U.S. airstrikes in Iran
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Politicians and others in the Southwest remain divided over U.S. airstrikes in Iran. The Operation Epic Fury strikes began over the weekend and were in...
Appeals court won’t delay tariff refunds
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A federal appeals court on Monday rejected the Trump administration's request to delay a step toward granting tariff refunds. The government had asked for a...
Oil, gas prices jump as Iran war disrupts Middle East output
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square U.S. and global oil and gas prices surged higher Monday as concerns grew that attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iran could spiral into...
Number of service members killed in action rises to six
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The number of American service members killed in action as part of Operation Epic Fury has climbed from four to six, as Secretary of State...
Bill filed to create Illinois Epstein Files Investigation Commission
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A state lawmaker is proposing a commission to investigate the ties that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s...
Lawmakers request DOJ probe into whether Somali fraud and ICE protests are linked
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House Oversight Committee is requesting that the Department of Justice investigate whether the Somali welfare fraud and anti-immigration enforcement protests in Minnesota are...
Questions remain on Trump’s plans for $2,000 tariff rebate checks
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square American consumers hoping for tariff refunds could be disappointed. The U.S. Supreme Court invalidated President Donald Trump's tariffs under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers...
Illinois Quick Hits: EPA offers grants to public water facilities
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Energy is offering up to $1.5 million in grant funding...
Victims, families support bill protecting victims of sexual assault in schools
By Sean Reed | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State lawmakers gathered with victims, parents and advocates in support of a bill requiring Illinois schools...
Retired military officials warn CMS bidding expansion poses national security risks
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A coalition of retired military officers and former national security officials is urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to halt an expansion of...
Lobbyist: Passenger rail planning bill has no fiscal impact this year
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Rail planning advocates say there would be no immediate fiscal impact if lawmakers pass legislation laying the...
