SR0862 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0862 LRB102 26407 LAW 36719 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Unlike families with standard work schedules, those with nonstandard schedules often need care for their children outside of the hours when licensed child care programs typically operate; in addition, nonstandard work schedules may conflict with valuable aspects of family life, such as dining together, doing homework, reading, and completing bedtime routines; and

WHEREAS, In Illinois, there are child care centers and child care homes licensed and regulated by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) as well as Family, Friend, and Neighbor home providers (FFN) that are license-exempt, but limited to care for three children; and

WHEREAS, In Illinois, we utilize the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) at the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) to assist parents with low incomes in paying for child care while they work or while they are in school or training; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has a vested interest in ensuring that our working parents, regardless of income status, can provide their children with appropriate child care when they are at work; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Illinois Early Learning Council, in consultation with the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development and the Department of Human Services Child Care Advisory Council, shall convene an advisory committee comprised of the members, selected by the Governor, currently serving on these councils that shall be charged with the task of producing recommendations on off-hour child care to build more capacity in Illinois and to better accommodate the needs of children when care is needed during non-standard hours; in addition to the goals stated above, the committee shall consider at a minimum:

(1) Creating working definitions for nonstandard work schedule and off-hour child care;

(2) Determining the availability of and need for off-hour child care in Illinois, with a particular focus on care available to infants and toddlers;

(3) Evaluating the different placement types of child care with the intent to ensure that children are being best cared for in the least restrictive manner and that the parents are not being unduly burdened with accessing this child care during non-traditional child care hours, with attention paid to availability for children with disabilities, English learners, and other relevant priority populations;

(4) Evaluating the demand for off-hour child care and evaluating the current CCAP enrolled families to determine their work schedules and child care timing needs; and

(5) Making recommendations on:

(a) Better alignment of child care assistance policies with the work schedules and employment circumstances of families;

(b) Encouraging expanded hours and variable scheduling options in all types of care;

(c) Enhancing child care quality for children whose parents work nonstandard and unstable schedules; and

(d) How to reduce the need for off-hour care; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Committee shall convene within 60 days of the adoption of this resolution and shall select a chairperson at its first meeting; the Committee shall thereafter meet on a regular schedule and no fewer than three times before submitting its recommendations; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development shall provide administrative support for the Committee; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Committee shall submit its final report to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2022 and, upon the filing of the report, is dissolved; and be it further

RESOLVED, That if the Committee is unable to conclude their work within the 102nd General Assembly, notice shall be provided to the General Assembly before any special sessions or veto session after the regular spring session that an extension is needed to ensure that all the necessary research and evaluation has been completed satisfactorily; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Department of Children and Family Services, the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Department of Human Services.