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.
Thu Jun 4
84° 66°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
GOP senators renew calls to nuke filibuster after voter ID bill languishes
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With Congress juggling government funding, the farm bill, government surveillance reauthorization and more, a Republican election security bill has taken a backseat, much to the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Four charged in alleged pharmacy burglary conspiracy
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Four people from California are charged in connection with a conspiracy to burglarize pharmacies and distribute controlled...
LA City Council member seeks to allow noncitizens to vote
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A Los Angeles City Council member has proposed allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections. Speaking on Friday at a Rules Committee meeting, Councilmember Hugo...
Chicago loses 2,100 restaurant jobs as industry fights mandated wage hikes
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Chicago’s efforts to phase out sub-minimum wages are proposed nationwide, a restaurant industry advocate says the...
State Senator, ‘angel parent’ want to let police to work with ICE
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Democrat legislators have moved legislation to restrict U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations within Illinois, one...
U.S. Supreme Court temporarily allows mail-order abortion pills
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will temporarily allow women to obtain abortion pills through the mail, without visiting an in-person doctor. Justices on the court blocked...
U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Washington COVID-19 speech case
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case over whether the government can discipline doctors for what they say publicly. The case, Stockton v....
‘Project Freedom’ begins, two ships safely transit Strait of Hormuz
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The United States launched “Project Freedom” Monday morning in an effort to safely escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump announced...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for April 16, 2026
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education met on Thursday to review comprehensive financial forecasting, expand...
Supreme Court declines hearing Chicago gun sales case
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined hearing a case that alleged an Indiana gun shop fueled gun violence in Chicago. The case, Westforth Sports v. Chicago,...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board for April 16, 2026
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 The Will County Board met at an offsite hotel venue on Thursday, April 16, 2026, navigating a heavy agenda dominated by the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Google settlement wins praise from Illinois AG
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says he is pleased that a federal court stated it will approve...
Illinois diversity commission says businesses aren’t cooperating
By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- Illinois has failed to broaden access to state contract money for businesses owned by racial minorities, women...
U.S. House, Senate, governor on Ohio primary ballots Tuesday
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Ohio will head to polls on Tuesday to select their respective party nominees after the state legislature conducted a mid-decade redistricting effort to...
Watchdog says healthcare providers may be misrepresenting child gender treatments as routine care
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Healthcare providers may be able to misrepresent transgender treatments for minors as routine care that is unrelated to gender-affirming treatments, a new report from medical...