HB5415 Summary

• Expands the Illinois child care assistance program to include all child care workers with incomes at or below 325% of the federal poverty level for their family size, effective January 1, 2025.

• Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to report annually beginning October 1, 2023, on the number of children receiving child care vouchers, including ages, types of care, and duration of services.

• Maintains existing eligibility categories for child care assistance including TANF recipients, families transitioning from welfare, youth in state care, and families with open child protective services cases.

• Requires the Department of Human Services to update its Child Care Assistance Program Eligibility Calculator to distinguish between first-time applicants and those seeking redetermination of eligibility.

• Establishes that families remain eligible for 12 months without redetermination unless income exceeds 85% of state median income, protecting coverage during temporary changes in employment or education status.