SPRINGFIELD – Illinois military families will soon have an easier time finding childcare, thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

“Our military personnel put their lives on the line to keep our great state safe – it is vital that they can assure their children are being well taken care of,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “By eliminating red tape and streamlining this bureaucratic process, we will improve access to military childcare and reducing waitlists.”

Hastings’ House Bill 5596 will create an exemption from licensure for daycare homes and group daycare homes serving children of military personnel if the daycare is located on a military base or federal property and is certified as a child development program by a brand of the U.S. Department of Defense or the U.S Coast Guard.

Previously in Illinois, the Defense Department-certified military family childcare providers were also required to licensed or registered by the state when caring for DoD children. By recognizing military family childcare certification instead of requiring state licensing, Hastings believes it will be easier for these already accredited facilities to support military personnel in their search for responsible and reliable childcare.

Illinois will join 14 other states in adopting this new law. The law is an initiative of Blue Star Families to help assist in meeting childcare demands of military communities in Illinois.

Hastings, who is the father of two young children and one of the only three veterans in the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus, is an avid advocate for childcare assistance and commonsense legislation that assists military and veteran families in communities across the state.

“By reducing barriers within the licensure process – we will assist in increasing capacity and eliminating barriers for childcare services for the state’s military personnel,” said Hastings. “This new law will further Illinois’ mission to assist and support our nation’s heroes.”

House Bill 5596 was signed into law and goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.