20 ILCS 505/5a

(20 ILCS 505/5a) (from Ch. 23, par. 5005a)

Sec. 5a. Reimbursable services for which the Department of Children and Family Services shall pay 100% of the reasonable cost pursuant to a written contract negotiated between the Department and the agency furnishing the services (which shall include but not be limited to the determination of reasonable cost, the services being purchased and the duration of the agreement) include, but are not limited to:

SERVICE ACTIVITIES

Adjunctive Therapy;

Child Care Service, including day care;

Clinical Therapy;

Custodial Service;

Field Work Students;

Food Service;

Normal Education;

In-Service Training;

Intake or Evaluation, or both;

Medical Services;

Recreation;

Social Work or Counselling, or both;

Supportive Staff;

Volunteers.

OBJECT EXPENSES

Professional Fees and Contract Service Payments;

Supplies;

Telephone and Telegram;

Occupancy;

Local Transportation;

Equipment and Other Fixed Assets, including amortization

of same;

Miscellaneous.

ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS

Program Administration;

Supervision and Consultation;

Inspection and Monitoring for purposes of issuing

licenses;

Determination of Children who are eligible

for federal or other reimbursement;

Postage and Shipping;

Outside Printing, Artwork, etc.;

Subscriptions and Reference Publications;

Management and General Expense.

Reimbursement of administrative costs other than inspection and monitoring for purposes of issuing licenses may not exceed 20% of the costs for other services.

The Department may offer services to any child or family with respect to whom a report of suspected child abuse or neglect has been called in to the hotline after completion of a family assessment as provided under subsection (a-5) of Section 7.4 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and the Department has determined that services are needed to address the safety of the child and other family members and the risk of subsequent maltreatment. Acceptance of such services shall be voluntary.

All Object Expenses, Service Activities and Administrative Costs are allowable.

If a survey instrument is used in the rate setting process:

(a) with respect to any day care centers, it shall be limited to those agencies which receive reimbursement from the State;

(b) the cost survey instrument shall be promulgated by rule;

(c) any requirements of the respondents shall be promulgated by rule;

(d) all screens, limits or other tests of reasonableness, allowability and reimbursability shall be promulgated by rule;

(e) adjustments may be made by the Department to rates when it determines that reported wage and salary levels are insufficient to attract capable caregivers in sufficient numbers.

The Department of Children and Family Services may pay 100% of the reasonable costs of research and valuation focused exclusively on services to youth in care. Such research projects must be approved, in advance, by the Director of the Department.

In addition to reimbursements otherwise provided for in this Section, the Department of Human Services, through June 30, 2026 and Department of Early Childhood beginning on and after July 1, 2026, shall, in accordance with annual written agreements, make advance quarterly disbursements to local public agencies for child day care services with funds appropriated from the Local Effort Day Care Fund.

Neither the Department of Children and Family Services nor the Department of Human Services through June 30, 2026 and the Department of Early Childhood beginning on and after July 1, 2026 shall pay or approve reimbursement for day care in a facility which is operating without a valid license or permit, except in the case of day care homes or day care centers which are exempt from the licensing requirements of the Child Care Act of 1969.

The rates paid to day care providers by the Department of Children and Family Services shall match the rates paid to child care providers by the Department of Human Services, including base rates and any relevant rate enhancements through June 30, 2026. On and after July 1, 2026, the Department of Early Childhood shall pay day care providers, who service the Department of Children and Family Services under the child care assistance program, including base rates and any relevant rate enhancements.

(Source: P.A. 102-926, eff. 7-1-23; 103-594, eff. 6-25-24.)