(325 ILCS 3/80-5)
    Sec. 80-5. Transfer of functions. On and after July 1, 2026:
        (a) The powers, duties, rights, and responsibilities
    
vested in the transferring agencies relating to early care and education programs and services to children and families transferred by this Act shall be vested in and shall be exercised by the Department of Early Childhood.
        (b) Personnel employed by the Department of Human
    
Services or the Department of Children and Family Services who are engaged in the performance of functions transferred to the Department or who are engaged in the administration of a law the administration of which is transferred to the Department shall be transferred to the Department of Early Childhood. The status and rights of the employees and the State of Illinois or its transferring agencies under the Personnel Code, the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act, and applicable collective bargaining agreements, or under any pension, retirement, or annuity plan, shall not be affected by this Act.
        (c) All books, records, papers, documents, property
    
(real and personal), contracts, causes of action, and pending business pertaining to the powers, duties, rights, and responsibilities relating to functions transferred under this Act to the Department of Early Childhood, including, but not limited to, material in electronic or magnetic format and necessary computer hardware and software, shall be transferred to the Department.
        (d) Whenever reports or notices are now required to
    
be made or given or papers or documents furnished or served by any person in connection with any of the powers, duties, rights, and responsibilities relating to functions transferred by this Act, the same shall be made, given, furnished, or served in the same manner to or upon the Department.
        (e) This Act does not affect any act done, ratified,
    
or canceled or any right occurring or established or any action or proceeding had or commenced in an administrative, civil, or criminal cause by each transferring agency relating to functions transferred by this Act before the transfer of responsibilities; such actions or proceedings may be prosecuted and continued by the Department.
(Source: P.A. 103-594, eff. 6-25-24.)