WATCH: DCFS updates missing children numbers; Budget cuts EO transparency criticized
November 17, 2025/
(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.
Latest News Stories
Illinois quick hits: Hundreds of layoffs reported; man charged with converted handgun
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Hundreds of layoffs reported Layoffs are coming for more Illinois workers. According to the Notices of Layoffs and Closures (WARN) Report...
‘Glaring failure:’ Lawmaker accuses Meta of failing to make AI chatbots kid-safe
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A U.S. lawmaker is once again demanding that Meta prevent minors from accessing its AI chatbots, citing the technology company’s “glaring failure to properly and...
Medical training accreditor ends DEI policies, closes department
By Dan McCalebThe Center Square The group that accredits graduate level medical training programs across the U.S. has closed its diversity, equity and inclusion office and ended its DEI mandates....
State rep says IL GOP will be outspent ’20 to 1′ in 2026 elections
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Democrats have a major financial advantage over Republicans going into statewide elections in 2026. The latest...
Supreme Court allows ICE to factor race, workplace into L.A. raids
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday to temporarily allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to use race, native language and place of work to...
Op-Ed: Illinois just cemented its place as a ‘Legislative Inferno’
By Zach MottiThe Center Square Illinois already has a reputation for having one of the most hostile civil legal climates in America. On August 15, 2025, Governor JB Pritzker signed...
WATCH: DHS launches ICE ‘Midway Blitz’ in Chicago as Trump calls out cashless bail
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announces a new operation in Chicago, President Donald Trump says...
Pritzker signs behavioral health data law amid privacy concerns
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator says the state’s track record with data security raises concerns about a...
WATCH: Pritzker’s ‘move’ comments ‘insulting’ to Illinoisans, Freedom Caucus says
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus say people want to leave the state because Gov. J.B. Pritzker...
Lawmakers seek to offer immigrants temporary legal status
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced a bill to offer immigrants the opportunity to live and work in the United States legally. The Dignity...
DEA surge nets drugs, 617 arrests, 420 firearms, $11 million in cash
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Drug Enforcement Administration said Monday it seized drugs, guns and millions of dollars in cash during a week-long surge effort aimed at the Sinaloa...
NTU urges Congress to let temporary Obamacare tax credits end, impacting millions
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The National Taxpayers Union is urging Congress to let the expanded Obamacare premium tax credits, which help subsidize health insurance rates, expire in 2025 as...
Illinois quick hits: Trump to decided on Guard deployment; alleged cartel boss indicted
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Trump to decided on Guard deployment President Donald Trump says he will make a decision in the next day or two...
