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
IDOT Plans to Invest Over $1.3 Billion in Will County Roads Through 2031
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has allocated over $1.3 billion for road and bridge projects in...
Everyday Economics: Data blackout: Why the growth narrative doesn’t hold up
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The federal shutdown has darkened the dashboard. Key September releases are delayed – most notably CPI now slated for Oct. 24, just days before the...
Appeals Court rejects Trump administration bid to lift TRO in Illinois
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has denied the portion of the Trump administration’s emergency motion...
Those doxxing, threatening ICE agents, arrested, indicted
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Individuals rioting, doxxing and threatening U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and their families continue to be arrested and indicted. Legal action is being taken...
‘The Art of the Heal’: How TrumpRx, most-favored nation pricing, Big Pharma intersect
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square AstraZeneca has now joined Pfizer in agreeing to sell its drugs to state Medicaid programs at “most-favored-nation” pricing and deeply discounted rates on TrumpRx.gov But...
GOP stands up for U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump and the Pentagon show no signs of changing course on using military strikes to destroy suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. "We...
IL lawmakers could address energy prices, transit, taxes during veto session
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session begins Tuesday, and taxes are expected to be part of...
Committee Advances 50% Increase in Mental Health Levy on 4-3 Vote
Will County Finance Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Finance Committee on Tuesday narrowly approved a proposed $12 million levy for the Community Mental Health Board,...
Will County Poised to Launch Major Mental Health Initiative Based on Joliet Program’s Success
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee on Thursday considered establishing "Will County CARES," a...
Looming State Energy Bill Threatens to Further Limit County Control Over Solar and Wind Projects
Will County Legislative Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: A state energy bill likely to be considered during the fall veto session or next spring could further strip Will...
Controversial Immigrant Rights Resolution Postponed by Will County Board After Heated Debate
Will County Executive Committee Meeting October 9, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee voted to indefinitely postpone a contentious resolution titled "Declaring Will County's Commitment to Ensure Communities...
Trump says US troops will get paid Oct. 15 despite funding lapse
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Saturday that America's 1.3 million military service members will get paid on Oct. 15 despite a congressional budget lapse that led...
$4.5B awarded in new contracts to build Smart Wall along southwest border
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Roughly $4.5 billion in contracts have been awarded to expand border wall construction, including adding advanced technological surveillance along the southwest border. Ten new construction...
