IL SB3612

Requires the Department of Human Services to provide child care services to parents or relatives engaged in good-faith job searches for up to 6 months, in addition to those working or in approved education/training programs.

Eliminates the Department's authority to lower income eligibility ceilings, raise co-payments, create waiting lists, or take other fiscal year actions to limit child care benefit expenditures.

Establishes that no family shall be excluded from eligibility based solely on household income, and requires child care assistance amounts to cover quality care costs while ensuring co-payments do not exceed 7% of family income.

Limits eligibility redeterminations to once every 12 months and requires the Department to establish wage scales sufficient to recruit and retain child care workers, with annual cost-of-quality-care determinations published in draft form for public comment.

Dedicates at least 9% of appropriated funds annually to quality improvement and requires annual reports to the General Assembly on supply adequacy, quality standards coordination, and barriers to provider participation.