(225 ILCS 10/9.1e)

(This Section may contain text from a Public Act with a delayed effective date)

Sec. 9.1e. Public list of qualified courses; qualification and impartial oversight review process.

(a) As used in this Section, "institution" has the meaning given to that term in Section 9.1d.

(b) No later than January 1, 2027, the Department of Early Childhood, in consultation with stakeholders, including, but not limited to, the Illinois Community College Board, the Board of Higher Education, and, until January 1, 2027, the Department of Children and Family Services, shall create a process to verify early childhood courses that qualify toward the attainment of the required qualifications under 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130 and 407.140 for early childhood teachers and directors.

(c) As part of the development of the process established under this Section, the Department of Early Childhood shall seek input and feedback from established child care providers, Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity member institutions, early child care and education advocates, early childhood program students, and other stakeholders.

(d) The process established under this Section shall include the following elements, which also shall be posted on the Department of Early Childhood's website:

(1) criteria for the inclusion of college courses offered by State-based and out-of-state institutions on the course list;

(2) criteria for the removal of courses from the course list;

(3) a requirement that the removal of a course from the course list shall not negatively impact any early childhood teacher or director or early childhood teacher or director applicant who has taken or is currently enrolled in the course;

(4) a notification plan for (i) the distribution of the course list and (ii) any updates to all licensed child care centers in this State;

(5) an impartial oversight review process for courses deemed ineligible for the attainment of the required qualifications for an early childhood teacher or director; and

(6) a process for establishing eligibility requirements for college courses not on the course list.

(e) The Department of Early Childhood may adopt rules to implement this Section.

(Source: P.A. 104-309, eff. 1-1-26.)