WATCH: IL child welfare interns debate heats up; state financial audit released
August 22, 2025/
(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.
Today Jun 4
79° 69°
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Will County Committee Advances Phased Takeover of Central Will Dial-A-Ride Service
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved a five-year plan to consolidate the Central Will Dial-A-Ride service into its...
Manhattan Grapples with Route 52 Safety After Tragedy, Demands Action from IDOT
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | November 4, 2025 Article Summary: Following a recent tragedy, the Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, held an extensive public discussion on the...
Manhattan Park District Ratifies Emergency Purchase of Bucket Truck for $36,500
Manhattan Park Board Meeting | September 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Park Board has unanimously ratified the emergency purchase of a used 2012 Ram 5500 bucket truck for $36,500. The board...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for October 21, 2025
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | October 21, 2025 The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, tackled several high-profile land use issues, recommending...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for October 21, 2025
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | October 21, 2025 A contentious debate over a looming $8.9 million budget shortfall dominated the Will County Board Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday....
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Fire Protection District for September 15, 2025
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | September 15, 2025 The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees took a major step toward building a new fire station at its meeting...
Future of Will County’s Cannabis Fund Debated Amid Budget Shortfall
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: As Will County officials look for ways to close an $8.9 million budget gap, a debate has emerged over...
Manhattan Fire District Earns Clean Audit, Hires Investment Manager
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | September 15, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District received a clean bill of financial health with an "unmodified opinion" on its latest audit....
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Village Board for October 21, 2025
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | October 21, 2025 The Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, approved the annexation and preliminary plans for the 41-home Butternut Ridge South subdivision....
Will County Health Department Pleads for $1 Million to Avert ‘Weakened Public Health System’
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: Leaders and board members from the Will County Health Department made an impassioned plea for $1 million in county...
Manhattan Village Board Approves Water and Sewer Rate Hikes to Fund Future Infrastructure
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: Manhattan residents will see their water and sewer rates increase over the next several years after the Village Board approved...
Safety Upgrades Coming to Dangerous Route 50 and County Line Road Intersection
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | September 15, 2025 Article Summary: Following a meeting between fire officials and state and county transportation leaders, safety improvements, including a four-way stop by the...
Manhattan Bans Retail Sale of Kratom, Citing Public Health and Addiction Risks
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board unanimously passed an ordinance prohibiting the sale, manufacture, and distribution of kratom, an herbal substance that...
Manhattan Fire District Approves $8.75 Million Bond Sale for New Fire Station
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | September 15, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees has formally approved the sale of approximately $8.75 million in General Obligation...
