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.
Events
Latest News Stories
Measles outbreak continues along Arizona-Utah border
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Health officials along the Arizona-Utah border continue to deal with measles cases. In Utah, there are 44 cases in the southwest part of the state,...
Value of movie and TV tax credits debated in California
By Dave MasonThe Center Square The latest round of movie and TV tax credits is projected to keep thousands of good-paying jobs in California and boost the state’s economy by...
Trucker in Florida triple fatal failed CDL exam 10 times
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Ten failures of a written exam for a commercial driver’s license have been uncovered against the suspect in a triple fatality on the Florida turnpike...
Multiple illegal border crossers killed after causing high-speed pursuits
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Drivers of vehicles transporting illegal border crossers seeking to evade arrest continue to cause car accidents that result in death, both of U.S. citizens and...
Canada caves to pressure from Trump over Ronald Reagan ad
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Friday that he would scrap a $56 million ad campaign that used clips of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan from...
Exclusive: Colorado lawmakers split over limits on taxes
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado Rep. Lorena Garcia is calling for an end to Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights, commonly known as TABOR. “I will say unequivocally that TABOR...
Casey-Westfield Schools Showcase Student Success in Academics, Athletics, and Arts
Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | October 20, 2025 Article Summary: Administrators from Monroe Elementary and the Jr./Sr. High School presented reports highlighting a wide range of student achievements, from state-level...
A Week of Warrior Pride: Homecoming at Monroe Elementary
School spirit was at an all-time high as Monroe Elementary students dove into a fun and festive homecoming week. The school’s youngest learners were made a special part of the...
Americans on Social Security will see 2.8% benefits boost next year
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square More than 70 million Americans receiving Social Security benefits will see a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment beginning Jan. 2026. The Social Security Administration made the announcement...
Better-than-expected inflation report generates cut predictions
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Investors are predicting another rate cut at the Federal Reserve’s meeting next week after a better-than-expected inflation report Friday, while stocks reached new highs. Inflation...
Op-Ed: 340B needs transparency to fulfill Its mission
By TaLana Hughes | Sickle Cell Disease Association of IllinoisThe Center Square For the 5,000 people in Illinois living with sickle cell disease, access to affordable medical care and life-saving...
India’s Reliance says it will abide with sanctions on Russian oil purchases
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries said Friday it will adjust its refining operations to abide with U.S. and European sanctions on purchases of Russian crude oil....
From Creative Cells to Chemical Reactions: Science in Action
In Mr. Harris's science classes, students are engaging in dynamic, hands-on learning across the grade levels. Seventh graders recently brought biology to life, unleashing their creativity to complete their cell...
