DEERFIELD — Ensuring timely and accurate licensure for child care providers, State Senator Julie Morrison is spearheading a measure that would update processes, modernize terminology and centralize oversight within the Illinois Department of Early Childhood for Child Care Assistance Providers.

“Child care assistance providers are a critical part of ensuring child care options and availability for families, but it is hard to provide timely and quality resources for our neighbors when providers have to navigate a complex licensing and certification process,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It is important that we continue to evaluate and address issues that limit community organizations ability to support our residents.”

As the Illinois Department of Early Childhood starts operations this year, they are working to implement structural reforms, centralize background checks and licensing authority.

To achieve this, Morrison’s measure would establish a tiered oversight structure for licensing, based on the type of programming, frequency and duration of care, as well as whether regulatory oversight from other agencies exists.

Additionally, the measure would replace “day care” with “child care” in the Child Care Act and remove the "less than 24 hours per day" care requirement to be considered a child care center. This would allow for program that care for children for more than 24 hours to be considered as child care centers – expanding access and assistance options for families.

“By updating and clarifying terms and policies for child care assistance programs, we are making lasting, positive change in our communities – further ensuring access to quality child care options for families,” said Morrison.

Senate Bill 3907 passed the Senate Education Committee and now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.