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.
Sun Jun 7
82° 70°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Bessent backs 3% deficit goal despite 5% budget forecasts
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledged in two congressional hearings this week to cut the federal deficit to 3% of GDP, a target the government's...
Constables hope to find missing children in immigration search effort
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After months of Congress stalling on funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and administrative changes, Pennsylvania state constables who’ve signed agreements to support federal...
Lawmaker blasts reports of ‘equitable assessments’ at medical school
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State Rep. Bill Hauter, a Republican physician and graduate of the University of Illinois College...
FOID changes advance in Illinois House, not called in Senate
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Changes to Illinois’ Firearm Owner’s ID Card didn’t get across the finish line before the General Assembly...
Texas tops California, New York, with the most Fortune 500 headquarters
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Under Gov. Greg Abbott, the most Fortune 500 headquarters are now located in Texas. According to Fortune Media’s 2026 Fortune 500 list, its top companies...
Nine candidates run in Las Vegas congressional district
By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Nevada’s 1st Congressional district sees a total of nine candidates vying for Tuesday's Democratic and Republican primaries, but only two have captured the majority of...
U.S. seeks dismissal of lawsuit over deadly boat strikes
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. government moved Friday to dismiss a lawsuit brought by families of two Trinidadian men killed in a U.S. military boat strike, arguing the...
Seattle mayor reverses course, activates surveillance cameras for World Cup
By Randy DiamondThe Center Square In a reversal, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has ordered that surveillance cameras be turned on during the FIFA World Cup Tournament. Wilson said in a...
Expert: GOP success this week doesn’t mean Nov. 3 victories
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Republicans appear to have done well in this week's California primary, despite Democrats redrawing congressional districts in their favor. But an expert observing Tuesday's election...
High-speed rail project criticized again after $3.5B contract
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square After a $3.5 billion contract was awarded for track and electrical work on California’s high-speed rail, critics are calling the entire project problematic because of...
Platner leads Collins in Maine U.S. Senate race despite controversies
By Christen SmithThe Center Square Democrat and oyster farmer Graham Platner continues to out-poll incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, despite mounting controversies about his treatment of women, fellow war...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois parole absconder arrested in Tennessee
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois parole absconder arrested in Tennessee The U.S. Marshals Service says an Illinois parole absconder has been captured in Union City,...
GOP rep: Time will tell on data center tax credit pause
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that his administration would pause data center tax credits, a Republican legislator...
