SB3867 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 19541 KTG 32989 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB3867

Introduced 2/6/2026, by Sen. John F. Curran

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the State Employee Child Care Pilot Program Task Force Act. Establishes the State Employee Child Care Pilot Program Task Force within the Department of Early Childhood to evaluate the feasibility of establishing an on-site child care pilot program for State employees; develop recommendations regarding pilot program structure, staffing models, and operational oversight; identify potential State-owned or leased facilities suitable for pilot program locations; and other specified duties. Contains provisions concerning Task Force membership and meetings. Requires the Task Force to submit a report to the General Assembly and the Governor that includes findings, recommendations, estimated costs, and any proposed statutory or administrative changes necessary to implement a pilot program. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved and the Act is repealed on December 31, 2027. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the State Employee Child Care Pilot Program Task Force Act.

Section 3. Policy and intent.

(a) It is the policy of this State to promote workforce stability, recruitment, and retention among State employees by improving access to affordable, high-quality child care.

(b) It is the intent of the General Assembly to convene State agencies, institutions of higher education, labor organizations, and early childhood education stakeholders to evaluate the feasibility of an on-site child care pilot program for State employees while strengthening the early childhood education and child care workforce.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds the following:

(1) Access to reliable and affordable child care is essential to workforce participation and economic stability for working families.

(2) Illinois continues to experience a shortage of licensed early childhood educators and child care professionals, limiting access to care across the State.

(3) State employees are uniquely impacted by child care shortages due to fixed work schedules and limited availability of licensed care during working hours.

(4) Paid internship, and apprenticeship programs have proven effective in developing sustainable workforce pipelines in early childhood education and other professions.

(5) Strategic investment in early childhood education supports long-term educational achievement, workforce readiness, and economic growth.

(6) An on-site child care pilot program for State employees may strengthen employee retention while expanding training opportunities for future early childhood educators.

Section 10. Members. The State Employee Child Care Pilot Program Task Force is established within the Department of Early Childhood. The Task Force shall consist of the following members:

(1) The Secretary of Early Childhood or the Secretary's designee.

(2) The Secretary of Human Services or the Secretary's designee.

(3) One member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate.

(4) One member of the Senate, appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(5) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(6) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(7) One representative of the University of Illinois Springfield with expertise in early childhood education, appointed by the Governor.

(8) One representative of a statewide child care provider organization, appointed by the Governor.

(9) One representative of a statewide organization representing State employee labor interests, appointed by the Governor.

(10) One representative with expertise in child care licensing, regulation, or quality standards, appointed by the Governor.

All members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Members shall be appointed within 120 days after the effective date of this Act. At the initial meeting, the Task Force shall elect 2 co-chairs.

Section 15. Meetings. The Task Force shall hold its initial meeting within 160 days after the effective date of this Act. The Task Force shall hold at least 4 meetings.

Section 20. Duties. The Task Force shall have the following duties:

(1) Evaluate the feasibility of establishing an on-site child care pilot program for State employees.

(2) Develop recommendations regarding pilot program structure, staffing models, and operational oversight.

(3) Evaluate the feasibility of a paid internship, or apprenticeship program in partnership with the University of Illinois Springfield and other public universities, including alignment with existing State internship programs.

(4) Develop recommendations regarding staffing ratios, training requirements, and supervision of student participants.

(5) Identify potential State-owned or leased facilities suitable for pilot program locations.

(6) Assess projected start-up and ongoing operational costs and identify potential funding sources.

The Task Force shall solicit feedback from early childhood education professionals, child care providers, institutions of higher education, State employees, labor organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.

Section 25. Reporting. No later than one year after the first meeting of the Task Force, the Task Force shall submit a report to the General Assembly and the Governor that includes findings, recommendations, estimated costs, and any proposed statutory or administrative changes necessary to implement a pilot program.

Section 30. Dissolution; repeal. The Task Force is dissolved and this Act is repealed on December 31, 2027.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.