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.
⚠️ Heat Advisory issued July 27 at 8:05AM CDT until July 27 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Today Jul 26
93° 76°
Patchy Fog
Latest News Stories
Illinois quick hits: Gas prices continue slow climb
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Gas prices continue slow climb The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois is 85 cents higher...
Pediatrics group wants to dismiss lawsuit against Florida attorney general
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square (Legal Newsline) - Faced with the prospect of a potential landmark appellate court ruling against them, the American Association of Pediatrics has...
More pros than cons: ALEC panel discussion focuses on positives of data centers
By Christine JohnsonThe Center Square While much of the national conversation about data centers focuses on the amount of energy and water they consume, the pros of building more of...
Trump hits 60 nations with forced-labor tariffs
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Trump administration imposed forced-labor tariffs on 60 trading partners Thursday, covering most U.S. imports, but did not say what the duties will cost American...
Illinois news in brief: Year-over-year unemployment rates rise; Judge gives Rockford woman six months for stealing from booster club; Chicago Fed’s National Activity index rises
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Year-over-year unemployment rates rise According to data released on Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department...
Voters say economy rigged for wealthy as Trump earns low marks
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A majority of American voters, including more than 4 in 10 Republicans, say the economy is rigged to favor the wealthy, according to a new...
Parents challenge special ed regulation for private schools, seek SCOTUS review
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Two Massachusetts families have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether the state can deny certain special education services to children whose parents choose...
Trump: Data center boom will lower Americans’ energy costs
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square More data centers will actually mean lower energy costs for most Americans under one of the Trump administration's initiatives, according to President Donald Trump. The...
Election 2026: Third day of filing for Graham’s seat remains quiet
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Thursday’s third day of filing in South Carolina’s special election Republican primary for the U.S. Senate remained quiet. According to the South Carolina Elections Commission...
White House has extra asks for stalled federal highway bill
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With Congress facing a deadline in two months to renew funding for transportation infrastructure nationwide, the Trump administration is urging lawmakers to codify its list...
Carolina, Virginia Tech chosen for fellowship program by War Department
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Carolina and Virginia Tech have succeeded Ivy League institutions War Department Secretary Pete Hegseth says are “woke breeding grounds of toxic indoctrination” in being chosen...
Future regional power supply down, but not out
By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Shrinking power supply remains a challenge according to the grid operator’s most recent capacity auction, signaling...
Exclusive: USDA distributing loans to Oregon, Nevada sawmills to expand timber production
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Sawmills in Oregon and Nevada will be receiving $80 million in federally guaranteed loans to increase American timber production, the Department of Agriculture shared exclusively...
