Bill
HB 5471
The bill lowers CDSA licensure from 3 to 2 years, boosts oversight with biennial inspections, and adds annual wage-pass-through reporting requirements.
Title: COMMUNITY DEVELOP SERVICES
Jurisdiction: Illinois
Sponsor: Rep. Yolonda Morris (with multiple co-sponsors)
Session: 2025-2026; Introduced February 13, 2026
Bill Context: Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act (210 ILCS 135/4).
Purpose and intent
- The bill updates licensure terms for community developmental services agencies (CDSAs) that operate community-integrated living arrangements (CILAs).
- Primary change: reduces the licensure term from 3 years to 2 years, aligning renewal timelines with ongoing quality assurance and oversight.
Key provisions and changes
1) Scope and applicability (Section 4(a))
- CDSAs may develop and support a variety of CILAs under a Department of Human Services (or relevant) license.
- Programs covered by other specific Acts (e.g., Child Care Act of 1969, Nursing Home Care Act, Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, ID/DD Community Care Act, MC/DD Act) remain subject to those respective Acts.
- The act does not limit applying provisions of those other Acts.
2) Purposes of licensure (Section 4(b))
- Licensure aims to:
- Ensure recipients in CILAs receive appropriate community-based services (treatment, training, habilitation/rehabilitation).
- Protect recipients’ rights and ensure programs and placements comply with the Act, MHDD Code, and Department rules.
- Maintain community integrity through regular monitoring and inspection of placements and services.
- The licensure system is overseen by a Quality Assurance Unit within the Department and operates independently from funding units.
3) Certification requirements (Section 4(c))
- CDSAs seeking licensure must certify to the Department that:
- Recipients in CILAs receive appropriate community-based services.
- Programs and placements are supervised by the agency.
- Programs and placements comply with the Act, MHDD Code, and relevant rules/regulations.
4) Annual reporting (Section 4(c-5))
- Each licensed CDSA must submit an annual report to the Department.
- The report is a contractual requirement certifying that mandated wage increases for workers are passed through as required by law or administrative mandate.
- The Department will determine the form and method of reporting.
5) Licensure process and fees (Sections 4(d)-(4(e))
- Application process established by Department rules; application fee not to exceed $200.
- If approved, license is issued for a term of 2 years (rather than 3), unless suspended, revoked, or voluntarily surrendered.
6) Temporary permits (Section 4(f))
- The Department may issue a temporary permit for up to 2 years, allowing time to become eligible for full licensure.
7) Compliance monitoring (Section 4(g))
- The Department may conduct site visits and inspections of licensed CDSAs, programs, and placements.
- Inspections of CILAs certified under the Act must occur at least every 2 years.
- Violations: a written notice of violation with specifics and a plan of correction; includes rights to hearing and potential other actions.
8) License revocation and review (Section 4(g-5))
- The Department may initiate a license review based on defined triggers (e.g., disproportionate licensure complaints, substantiated abuse/neglect, unnatural deaths, egregious events).
- The Department will establish rules for initiating and timing of such reviews.
9) License renewals (Section 4(h))
- Upon license expiration, renewal applications are required with renewal fees not to exceed $200.
10) Post-revocation prohibition (Section 4(i))
- Entities whose license has been revoked under subsection (b) of Section 6 cannot apply for or hold a license under a different name.
Effective date and implementation
- Provisions reference existing sections of the Act and align with current statutory structure.
- The bill’s effective implementation would involve updated licensure terms and related reporting/oversight processes.
Potential impact and who is affected
- Affects community developmental services agencies operating CILAs that are subject to this Act.
- Shortens licensure renewal cycle from 3 years to 2 years, increasing renewal activity and oversight frequency.
- Requires annual wage-increase pass-through reporting, tying agency payroll practices to mandated increases.
- Enhances Departmental oversight through more frequent inspections (every 2 years) and a defined mechanism for license reviews in response to compliance concerns.
- Maintains flexibility for agencies to operate under other specific Acts when applicable.
Notes
- The act preserves existing regulatory framework for programs covered under other Acts (e.g., Child Care Act, Nursing Home Care Act, MHDD Act, ID/DD Community Care Act, MC/DD Act).
- The bill includes standard licensing processes (application fee cap, temporary permits, site visits, notices of violation, and appeals rights).
Sponsor information
- Chief sponsor: Rep. Yolonda Morris
- Co-sponsors: Rep. Nicolle Grasse, Rep. Mike Crawford, Rep. Lisa Davis, Rep. Suzanne Ness, Rep. Mattie Hunter, Rep. Sharon Chung
Status (as of latest action)
- Passed committee and advanced through readings in early 2026; awaiting consideration in other chambers or final enactment steps.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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