November 17, 2025/
WATCH: DCFS updates missing children numbers; Budget cuts EO transparency criticized
(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.
⚠️ Tornado Watch issued June 17 at 10:18PM CDT until June 18 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Wed Jun 17
77° 58°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
SCOTUS considers IL congressman’s standing to challenge ballot counting law
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether an Illinois U.S. House candidate has standing to sue the...
No progress on government shutdown, jeopardizing military paychecks
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Democratic U.S. Senators voted against opening the federal government for a sixth time Wednesday afternoon, dimming hopes that Congress will reach a funding deal in...
Colorado boosts EV rebates as federal incentives end
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As national incentives for electric vehicles end, Colorado has decided to jump in and offer its own incentives. Last week, Gov. Jared Polis announced an...
Man charged with starting Palisades Fire in L.A.
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, has been arrested and charged with starting what became the Palisades Fire, one of the most devastating blazes in the history of...
Trial date set for Jan. 5 after Comey pleads not guilty to charges
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A trial date of Jan. 5 has been set for the case involving former FBI Director James Comey after he pleaded not guilty Wednesday to...
US oil production reached record-high 13.6 million barrels a day in July
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The United States produced a record-high 13.6 million barrels of crude oil per day in July, up from 13.5 million barrels per day (b/d) in...
Poll: Voters don’t want U.S. military to address internal threats
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Half of Republicans said the president should only send troops to face external threats as President Donald Trump prepares to use National Guard troops in...
U.S. Supreme Court appears split over mail-in ballot challenge
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court appeared split during oral arguments on Wednesday about a challenge over mail-in ballot laws in Illinois. The challenge centers around Rep....
Chicago mayor says businesses must pay, wants progressive revenue from state
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says he has had conversations with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state legislative leaders...
Casey City Council Approves Electric Rate Hike, Citing Rising Costs
Article Summary: The Casey City Council has approved a 3-cent per kilowatt-hour increase for all electric utility customers to address rising operational costs. The new rate for residential customers within...
CBP data shows lowest level of illegal southwest border crossers since 1970
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Illegal border crossings at the southwest border reached their lowest level in September since 1970, according to new preliminary U.S. Customs and Border Protection data...
Illinois quick hits: Trump says Johnson, Pritzker should be in jail; FBI director discusses Chicago gangs
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Trump says Johnson, Pritzker should be in jail President Donald Trump says Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson...
WATCH: Bondi, Durbin clash over Guard; Pritzker says he’s not a ‘conspiracy theory guy’
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares some of...
