IDEC-STUDY-DAY CARE LICENSURE

104th Regular Session Introduced by Tony McCombie

Illinois IDEC should study and report on streamlining training/certification and fair licensing to reduce burdens on private day care homes while maintaining safety.

Resolution Adopted

Summary of HR0923 (104th General Assembly, Illinois)

Purpose and intent

This House Resolution asks the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) to study how to reduce licensure and regulatory burdens on private day care homes (often small, home-based child care providers) in Illinois.

The resolution recognizes the value of day care homes, acknowledges burdens from licensure and training requirements, and notes concerns about child care costs and provider insurance/liability pressures.

The overarching goal is to make it easier for small providers to operate while maintaining child safety and health standards.

Key provisions and requests

The resolution directs IDEC to study and report on: 1) Ways to consolidate or streamline training and certification requirements into fewer trainings/certifications, without compromising health and safety standards. 2) Mechanisms to ensure licensing requirements are not used to penalize or deny license renewals for providers who are in substantial compliance or making good-faith progress toward full compliance.

IDEC is asked to produce a formal report detailing findings and recommendations.

Timeline and reporting

The resolution requests a report from IDEC by July 5, 2028, outlining the study results and recommendations.

A copy of the resolution is to be delivered to the IDEC (the Illinois Department of Early Childhood).

Who/what is affected

Private day care home providers in Illinois (and the broader regulatory environment they operate within), including current and prospective licensees.

IDEC, as the agency charged with licensing and regulation of early childhood services in this context.

Context and rationale

The bill notes concerns about the cost and burden of licensure on small providers, the affordability of child care for families, and an insurance liability crisis affecting providers.

It emphasizes the transition of licensure responsibilities for day care homes from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to the newly created IDEC, highlighting a period where regulatory reform could be explored.

Practical impact if adopted

Potential simplification of training/certification pathways for day care homes, reducing time and administrative load on providers.

Possible changes to licensure enforcement or renewal processes to avoid penalizing providers in substantial compliance, thereby supporting ongoing operation and stability.

Generation of a formal modernization/relief plan that could inform future legislation or administrative rule changes.

Notes

The resolution is sponsored by House members with Tony McCombie listed as a co-sponsor.

As a resolution, it expresses the General Assembly’s intent and requests action; it does not itself implement law but seek IDEC study and reporting.