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°
Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Lobbyist Updates: State Session Resumes; Transit Safety Concerns Raised
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: State lobbyists briefed the Will County Legislative Committee on the upcoming General Assembly session, noting a likely focus...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Mokena Village Board for December 8, 2025
Mokena Village Board Meeting | December 8, 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Mokena Village Board of Trustees met on Monday, December 8, 2025, to address personnel changes, infrastructure oversight, and year-end...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for January 6, 2026
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Finance Committee met on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, to handle a light agenda of routine...
Capital Imp Committee: Facilities Director Reports on VAC Progress and Critical Health Department Elevator Repairs
Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary:Facilities Director Bill Fern provided updates on major renovation projects, including the completion of the Court Annex and the...
‘Good Food For All’ Initiative Proposes Local Agricultural Asset Mapping for Will County
Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | January 7, 2026 Article Summary: Bob Heuer of HNA Networks presented a "Good Food For All" initiative to the Public...
Public Works Committee Advances $3.2 Million Engineering Contract for Mills Road Reconstruction
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The committee forwarded a resolution to award a $3.2 million contract to HDR Engineering, Inc. for...
Board Members Debate “Commitment to Truth” in Media Resolution
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: A proposal to demand the reinstatement of the "Fairness Doctrine" for news media sparked a philosophical debate on...
Executive Committee: Speaker VanDuyne and Member Butler Clash Over Removal of Committee Chair
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | January 8, 2026 Article Summary: A heated exchange erupted during the January 8 Executive Committee meeting when Member Daniel Butler challenged Speaker Joe...
Village Approves Fiber Installation Contracts and Pays Road Work Bills
Mokena Village Board Meeting | December 8, 2025 Article Summary: The Mokena Village Board approved agreements for professional oversight of fiber internet installations and authorized payment for significant road maintenance...
Finance Committee: County Appropriates Fees from $25 Million Wilmington Warehouse Project
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The Finance Committee approved the appropriation of an administrative fee tied to a major industrial renovation in Wilmington....
Capital Imp Committee: Begins Drafting Policy to Regulate Artificial Intelligence in County Government
Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary:The Will County Board Capital Improvements and IT Committee began formulating a comprehensive policy regarding the use of Artificial...
Public Health Committee Chair Demands Animal Control Agreements for Crete, Monee
Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | January 7, 2026 Article Summary: During the January 7, 2026, Public Health and Safety Committee meeting, Chair Daniel Butler demanded...
Public Works Committee Considers Taking Over Kankakee County Line Road to Expedite Bridge Repairs
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Division of Transportation (WCDOT) is exploring a jurisdictional transfer of a section of...
Peotone Man Charged With Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Damage at New Lenox Target
A 45-year-old Peotone man has been charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property following an incident at a New Lenox Target store, according to police. New Lenox police...
Executive Committee: Update to Land Resource Management Plan; Solar Farms and Rural Zoning Dominate Discussion
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | January 8, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee initiated the first major update to the county’s Land Resource Management Plan since...