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.
Events
Latest News Stories
Trump says US troops will get paid Oct. 15 despite funding lapse
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Saturday that America's 1.3 million military service members will get paid on Oct. 15 despite a congressional budget lapse that led...
$4.5B awarded in new contracts to build Smart Wall along southwest border
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Roughly $4.5 billion in contracts have been awarded to expand border wall construction, including adding advanced technological surveillance along the southwest border. Ten new construction...
Do No Harm expects FTC to take action to protect minors from transgender procedures
By Tate MillerThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – After submitting comments to the Federal Trade Commission's public inquiry on how the child transgender industry has harmed and deceived...
2024 was deadliest year for journalists on record
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Last year was the deadliest year for journalists on record, with the Gaza Strip being the deadliest location, according to multiple reports. Totals vary depending...
Govt shutdown raises concerns over national security
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As partisan divides appear to deepen and prolong the partial government shutdown, bipartisan lawmakers said they are concerned about national security effects of the funding...
Ex-speaker Madigan to begin 7.5-year prison sentence Monday
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One day before the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session is scheduled to begin, one of the...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey Township Library Board of Trustees for September 4, 2025
Casey Township Library Board of Trustees Meeting | September 4, 2025 The Casey Township Library Board took a major step toward a future expansion on Thursday, September 4, 2025, by...
Casey to Demolish Dilapidated Downtown Building for $42,120
Article Summary: The Casey City Council has awarded a $42,120 contract to Dirt Work Incorporated for the demolition of a dangerous and unsafe building at 204 S. Central. The city...
Trump says new 100% tariff on China as trade war escalates
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Friday said imports from China will face a new 100% tariff "over and above" existing import taxes on the world's second-largest...
Arizona congressman calls for end to government shutdown
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Arizona, wants Democrats to “come to their senses” and end the government shutdown. Hamadeh told The Center Square that Democrats’ reasons...
WATCH: Pritzker continues encouraging ICE protests after Guard blocked
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With the National Guard’s deployment in Illinois for public safety blocked by a federal judge, Gov. J.B....
Illinois quick hits: Ag incentives announced; Cook County announces increased budget
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ag incentives announced The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Agriculture have announced $67 million in funding to...
Former board member expressed concerns about indicted DeKalb superintendent
By Kim Jarrett | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A former DeKalb County School Board member told The Center Square in 2023 she had concerns about...
