Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) for Families

Updated November 2026.

On July 1, 2026, the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) became the state agency in charge of most programs for young children. It took over child care licensing from DCFS, the Child Care Assistance Program and Early Intervention from the Department of Human Services, and Preschool for All from the State Board of Education.

For most families, daily life did not change. Your daycare, your CCAP case and your child's preschool seat carried over. What changed is where the rules live, which agency answers your questions and which website you check. Here is a plain guide.

Why Illinois created a new agency

Before 2026, early childhood programs were split across three agencies. A family with a baby in daycare, a toddler in Early Intervention and a four-year-old in state preschool could deal with three different offices, each with its own forms and websites. The Department of Early Childhood Act, signed in 2024, set up one agency to bring these programs together. The transition ran in phases from late 2023 until the full launch on July 1, 2026.

Which programs IDEC runs now

• Child care licensing: licensing and monitoring of day care centers, family child care homes and group homes, which DCFS used to handle.
• Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP): help paying for child care for working families with lower incomes.
• Preschool for All and Preschool for All Expansion: state-funded preschool for three and four-year-olds.
• Prevention Initiative: programs for infants and toddlers in families with higher needs.
• Early Intervention: services for babies and toddlers under 3 with developmental delays.
• Home visiting and the Head Start State Collaboration Office.

What stayed the same for families

In its letter to parents, IDEC said families would keep using services the same way and that the move itself would not change eligibility or services. In practice:

• Your child care provider kept its license. Licenses issued by DCFS stayed valid.
• Your CCAP case continued. You still work with your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency. In Cook County that is Illinois Action for Children.
• Early Intervention families kept their local Child and Family Connections office.
• Preschool for All programs stayed with the same school districts and community providers.

What changed

The licensing rules moved

The rules for day care centers used to be called 89 Ill. Adm. Code Part 407. They now sit under IDEC as 23 Ill. Adm. Code Part 2008. Family child care homes moved from Part 406 to Part 2007. The core standards, such as staff-to-child ratios, carried over. A center still needs one adult for every four infants, for example. Our guide to Illinois daycare ratios by age has the full table.

One place to ask questions

Families can email IDEC's customer service team at Questions.IDEC@illinois.gov or start at idec.illinois.gov. Child abuse or neglect should still be reported to the Illinois abuse hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE.

New rules on the way

In June 2026 the governor signed HB 3595, a child care licensing redesign. It simplifies which programs are exempt from licensing, ties background checks to each person so staff do not have to repeat them every time they change jobs, and updates old terms in the law. IDEC has until July 1, 2027 to roll out the new exemption rules, and park districts and towns have until July 1, 2028.

How to check a daycare's license and inspection history

Checking a provider before you enroll is still one of the best things you can do. As of November 2026, the public search tools were still on the older DCFS Sunshine website:

• The provider lookup shows whether a center or home is licensed and its capacity.
• The monitoring reports search shows recent licensing visits and any violations.

Licensing staff make unannounced visits to licensed centers. When you read a report, look at what was cited and whether it was corrected. A paperwork issue is not the same as a supervision problem. See our list of daycare red flags for what to watch for on a tour.

What IDEC means for CCAP families

CCAP now runs under IDEC, and the income chart was revised on July 1, 2026. You still apply through your local resource and referral agency or the state's online application. Copays stay on a sliding scale based on income and family size. Our guide to CCAP income limits and how to apply has the 2026 numbers.

What IDEC means for preschool

Preschool for All is still free and still run through school districts and community providers. Most seats still go first to children with risk factors, and many programs are part-day. If your child turns 3 or 4 before next fall, ask your district when screening and applications open. In Chicago, applications go through Chicago Early Learning. Our Preschool for All guide explains how seats are given out.

Frequently asked questions

Does DCFS still license daycares in Illinois?

No. Since July 1, 2026, child care licensing is handled by the Illinois Department of Early Childhood. Licenses issued earlier by DCFS remain valid.

Do I need to reapply for CCAP because of IDEC?

No. Existing cases moved over. You renew at your normal redetermination date.

Did the ratio rules change?

The rules were moved to a new section of the Illinois code under IDEC, and the staff-to-child ratios carried over.

How do I contact IDEC?

Email Questions.IDEC@illinois.gov or visit idec.illinois.gov.

Licensed child care at Children's Land

Children's Land has cared for families in Chicago and the north and northwest suburbs since 2005. Our staff meet or exceed state requirements, complete yearly training, and pass background checks through local and state agencies. Every classroom has cameras, and parents can watch classrooms on monitors at the entrance. Find a location, read more about our safety and security, or contact us to schedule a tour.

Related reading: Licensed vs License-Exempt Child Care in Illinois.