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.
Today Jun 13
71° 51°
Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Latest News Stories
Will County Public Works Committee Shelves License Plate Reader Agreement Amid Bipartisan Privacy Concerns
Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee Meeting | March 3, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee abruptly removed an agreement with the Illinois State Police...
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Overrides Staff to Approve New Lenox Accessory Building Variance
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | March 3, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to override a staff recommendation of denial, approving a...
Will County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes Remi, First Electronic Scent Detection Dog
Article Summary: The Will County Sheriff’s Office announced the addition of Remi, a Labrador serving as the department's first Electronic Scent Detection dog. The newly trained K9 will assist investigators...
Will County Transportation Department Announces Open House for Manhattan-Monee Road Expansion
Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee Meeting | March 3, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Division of Transportation is inviting residents to a public open house on March 19...
Will County Community Mental Health Board Faces $5 Million Shortfall in 2026 Grant Requests
Will County Executive Committee Meeting | March 12, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Community Mental Health Board has received over $9 million in funding requests for its 2026 grant cycle,...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Public Health & Safety Committee for March 5, 2026
Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 The Will County Public Health and Safety Committee met on Thursday to address critical infrastructure and wellness updates across the...
Will County Officials Warn of Zoom Court Scam Targeting Defendants for Fraudulent Dismissal Fees
Article Summary: Will County officials have issued an alert regarding a fraudulent scheme where scammers infiltrate courtroom Zoom sessions to extort money from defendants. The perpetrators use private chat features...
Will Land Use Committee Evaluates Multi-Million Dollar Buyout for Flooded Harris Drive Homes
Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee is exploring a multi-million-dollar buyout program for several homes...
Behavioral Health Division Drops Wait Times, Reports Zero Opioid Deaths in February
Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: Will County’s Behavioral Health Division reported significant operational improvements, including a near-elimination of wait times for therapy and...
Harris Drive Residents Plead for County Intervention Amid Failing Septic Systems and Flooding
Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: Residents of Harris Drive appealed to the Public Health and Safety Committee for help with severe seasonal flooding...
Will County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal Hit-and-Run in Homer Glen
Article Summary: The Will County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public's assistance in identifying a driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash in Homer Glen that left a pedestrian dead....
Federal Funding Freezes Threaten Will County Public Health Programs Amid Ongoing Lawsuits
Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: Will County health officials are bracing for potential service disruptions as they monitor multiple federal lawsuits surrounding frozen...
Board Splits Along Party Lines to Approve 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda
Will County Board Meeting | February 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board adopted its 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda in a 10-9 vote, establishing the county's priorities for lobbying efforts...