Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SB2961

LRB104 16992 AAS 30406 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2961

Introduced 1/27/2026, by Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

225 ILCS 10/6.5 new

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that a licensed day care center may hire an individual who is in the process of completing the educational requirements set forth in administrative rules as an Interim Conditional Child Care Director for a period of 12 months. Requires the hired individual to provide documentation that shows that the individual is enrolled in courses that meet the requirements set forth in administrative rules. Provides that the individual shall be enrolled in an accredited college or university. Provides that during the 12-month employment period, an Interim Conditional Child Care Director with specified qualifications is exempt from the educational requirements set forth in administrative rules.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Child Care Act of 1969 is amended by adding Section 6.5 as follows:

(225 ILCS 10/6.5 new)

Sec. 6.5. Qualifications for Interim Conditional Child Care Directors.

(a) A licensed day care center may hire an individual who is in the process of completing the educational requirements set forth in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(e)(2) as an Interim Conditional Child Care Director for a period of 12 months. An individual hired pursuant to this Section shall provide documentation that shows that the individual is enrolled in courses at an accredited college or university that meet the requirements set forth in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(e)(2).

(b) During the 12-month employment period, an Interim Conditional Child Care Director with any of the following qualifications is exempt from the educational requirements set forth in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(e)(2):

(1) At least 2 years or 3,120 clock hours as an early childhood teacher at the licensed day care center where the individual will serve as an Interim Conditional Child Care Director, at least 64 semester hours or 96 quarter hours of credits from an accredited college or university in any discipline, with a minimum of 15 semester hours or 22.5 quarter hours in courses related to early childhood education, child development, or early childhood special education, and (i) a Gateways to Opportunity Level I Illinois Director Credential, (ii) 3 semester hours or 4.5 quarter hours of credits from an accredited college or university in child care administration, leadership, or management, or (iii) 3 points of credential-approved training in child care administration, leadership, or management. A person who is exempt under this paragraph (1) shall obtain a total of at least 21 semester hours or 31.5 quarter hours in courses related to early childhood education, child development, or early childhood special education by the end of the prescribed 12-month period.

(2) At least 2 years or 3,120 clock hours as an early childhood teacher at the licensed day care center where the individual will serve as an Interim Conditional Child Care Director and at least 64 semester hours or 96 quarter hours of credits from an accredited college or university in any discipline, with a minimum of 21 semester hours or 31.5 quarter hours in courses related to early childhood education, child development, or early childhood special education and without (i) a Gateways to Opportunity Level I Illinois Director Credential, (ii) 3 semester hours or 4.5 quarter hours of credits from an accredited college or university in child care administration, leadership, or management, or (iii) 3 points of credential-approved training in child care administration, leadership, or management. A person who is exempt under this paragraph (2) shall obtain the Gateways to Opportunity Level I Illinois Director Credential, semester or quarter hours, or points of training during the prescribed 12-month period.