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
Health Department May Seek Property Tax Increase to Maintain Critical Services
The Will County Health Department is grappling with significant budget shortfalls as multiple federal grants have been terminated or reduced, potentially forcing the agency to seek additional property tax revenue...
Crete Township Solar Project Approved Despite Township Objections
A 21-acre commercial solar project in Crete Township received a favorable recommendation from the Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday, despite an official objection from the township....
Health Department Opens Second Breast Milk Depot in Bolingbrook
The Will County Health Department has opened its second breast milk depot in partnership with Mother's Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, expanding access to donated breast milk for...
Lockport Township Solar Farm Gains Committee Approval
The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday approved a special use permit for a 25-acre commercial solar energy facility in Lockport Township. The project, proposed by Daniel...
Health Department Plans Back-to-School Fair July 12
The Will County Health Department will host a Back-to-School Health Fair Saturday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Health Center, 1106 Neal Ave., Joliet. The...
Meeting Briefs: Will County Land Use & Development Committee for July 3, 2025
Green Garden Township Rezoning for Future Subdivision ApprovedThe committee recommended approval of a map amendment for an 81-acre property on South 88th Avenue in Green Garden Township. The applicant, represented...
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee July 3 Meeting Briefs
Grain Dust Complaint Prompts Investigation: Will County resident Tracy Henning of unincorporated Peotone addressed the committee about health problems she attributes to grain dust from a neighboring facility. Henning, who...
Will County Seeks Asian Carp Provision in Federal Legislative Agenda
Will County Board member Julie Berkowicz is pushing to add specific language addressing Asian carp invasion to the county's federal legislative agenda, citing the ongoing threat to local waterways as...
Manhattan awards $1.9M contract for Eastern Avenue rebuild
The Village of Manhattan Board approved a $1.94 million contract with PT Ferrell Construction for the reconstruction of Eastern Avenue from North Street to Smith Road during their July 1...
State Legislative Session Update: Transit, Energy Bills Stall Despite Democratic Control
Illinois lawmakers failed to advance major transit funding and comprehensive energy legislation during the recently concluded spring session, leaving key issues unresolved despite Democratic supermajorities in both chambers, according to...
Will County’s Major Capital Projects Hit Key Milestones, VAC Buildout on “Aggressive Schedule”
Will County is making significant headway on several major capital improvement projects, with the new Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) & Support Center in Joliet on an “aggressive schedule” for a...
County Board Approves 2026-2031 Transportation Plan Despite Project Opposition
Will County board members approved a contested five-year transportation improvement plan Tuesday after heated debate over a controversial Homer Glen road project that has drawn sustained community opposition. The Will...
Contentious I-3 Rezoning for DuPage Township Storage Yard Narrowly Advances
A proposal to rezone a 20-acre parcel in DuPage Township from agricultural to the county's most intensive industrial classification narrowly earned a recommendation for approval from the Will County Planning...