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.
House Floor Amendment No. 2: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Sets forth the educational requirements for child care directors hired on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Makes changes to the qualifications for interim conditional child care directors. Provides that only licensed day care centers that have already employed at least one fully qualified and credentialed child care director may hire an interim conditional child care director. Provides that any licensed day care center that employs an interim conditional child care director is restricted to hiring no more than 2 interim conditional child care directors for every employed credentialed and qualified child care director. Effective immediately.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Provides that a licensed day care center may employ (rather than hire) an individual who is in the process of completing the educational requirements set forth in the Illinois Administrative Code as an interim conditional child care director for the period of 12 months if they meet the conditions outlined in specific provisions. Provides that an individual employed under the provision shall comply with the process established by the Department of Early Childhood. Requires the licensed day care center, at the time of the individual's employment, to provide documentation that shows that the individual is enrolled in courses at an accredited college or university that satisfy those requirements. Provides that any licensed day care center that employs an interim conditional child care director is restricted to hiring no more than one interim conditional child care director (rather than 2 interim conditional child care directors) for every credentialed and qualified child care director employed. Provides that if an interim conditional child care director leaves the position of interim conditional child care director during the 12-month period, the licensed day care center may employ a new interim conditional child care director to replace the previous interim conditional child care director. Provides that a day care center shall ensure direct supervision on an ongoing basis by a fully qualified child care director practicing in the State of Illinois, with a minimum of monthly on-site check-ins, unless the supervising director determines that more frequent check-ins are required, which shall continue for the entire duration of any interim conditional child care director's appointment. Provides that an interim conditional child care director shall not be scheduled during any hours when an interim conditional teacher is on duty. Provides that parents and caregivers shall be notified if an interim conditional child care director is employed by a day care center, and that this information shall be posted in a common area that is visible to parents and caregivers for the duration of the interim period. Provides that failure to comply with the provisions shall result in a violation and the issuance of a corrective action plan. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules to implement the provisions in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Provides that the provision is repealed on June 30, 2032. Effective July 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 225 ILCS 10/6
Engrossed: 225 ILCS 10/6
Enrolled: 225 ILCS 10/6