Would you like to know more about child care licensing in your state or resources for children with special needs? Do you need to contact someone about child support, health care for your family, or help paying for food or heat? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Click a tab below to find those resources and more in Illinois.
Find out more about child care in your area. Click on the links below, or contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency for one-on-one help.
Child Care Licensing
Your local child care regulatory office
Phone: 1(877) 746-0829 (in-state only)
Website
Provider Complaint Line: 1(877) 746-0829 (in-state only)
Inspection Reports
Find out what programs in your area are in compliance with licensing regulations
Website
Illinois Child Care Information
Information and resources for parents looking for child care in Illinois
Website
Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Reimburses child care providers for healthy meals and snacks
Website
Criminal Background Checks
Understanding criminal background checks requirements in your area
Website
Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) – ExceleRate Illinois
Child care providers earn a rating when they meet quality standards. These ratings can help families choose quality care and can assist child care providers to improve and communicate their quality.
Website
Gateways to Opportunity
Professional development system, online training, credentials, grants and funding opportunities for early care and education professionals in Illinois
Website
Discover resources that will provide more information regarding local services such as health care and child well-being.
Child Protective Services
To report suspected abuse, maltreatment, or neglect of a child
Phone: 1(800) 252-2873
Website
Child Support
Child support application and procedures for your state
Website
Medicaid Eligibility – FamilyCare/All Kids Assist
Federal-State health insurance program for low-income individuals
Website
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – All Kids
Federal-State health insurance program for children – available to qualifying families who are not eligible for Medicaid. In some states, parents and pregnant women may also be covered.
Website
Illinois Department of Public Health
State government programs to promote the health of Illinois citizens
Website
Illinois COVID-19 Website
General information about COVID-19 in your state
Website
Illinois Department of Human Services
State government programs and services for children and families
Website
Division of Mental Health
State government mental health resources that may offer community mental health services (may include individual, family, and marital counseling), behavioral health services, and substance abuse programs
Website
Car Seat Basics
Information on car seat regulations and inspection services
Website
Are you looking for help paying for child care? Buying groceries or diapers? Find out what assistance programs are offered locally.
Child Care Assistance – Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Child care financial assistance programs
Phone: Contact your local CCR&R agency
Website
Find Your Local CCR&R Agency
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
A program offering supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition information to low-income women who are pregnant or have children aged birth to five
Website
Find Your Local WIC Clinic
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Cash assistance designed to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency
Website
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps)
Federal nutrition program
Website
Low Income Energy Assistance Program
Helps low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs
Website
Learn about valuable resources for parents of children with special needs.
Easterseals Central Illinois
Offers special needs resources which may include respite care services and other community supports
Website
Easterseals Joliet Region
Offers special needs resources which may include respite care services and other community supports
Website
Easterseals Serving Chicagoland & Rockford
Offers special needs resources which may include respite care services and other community supports
Website
The Arc of Illinois
Offers special needs services that may include respite care, advocacy, training, and support groups
Website
Early Intervention
Early intervention services for infants and toddlers at risk for developmental delays
Website
There are currently no organizations listed
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Child Care
Find out about the ins and outs of child care in your area. What is required to become a provider in your area? What requirements are there for a background check? Does your state offer any quality improvement programs?
Child Care Licensing
Your local child care regulatory office
Phone: 1(877) 746-0829 (in-state only)
Website
Phone: 1(877) 746-0829 (in-state only)
Inspection Reports
Find out what programs in your area are in compliance with licensing regulations
Website
Child Care Fact Sheet
Basic facts about child care in your area
Illinois Child Care Information
Information and resources for parents looking for child care in Illinois
Website
Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Reimburses child care providers for healthy meals and snacks
Website
Criminal Background Checks
Understanding criminal background checks requirements in your area
Website
Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) – ExceleRate Illinois
Child care providers earn a rating when they meet quality standards. These ratings can help families choose quality care and can assist child care providers to improve and communicate their quality.
Website
Gateways to Opportunity
Professional development system, online training, credentials, grants and funding opportunities for early care and education professionals in Illinois
Website
-
Health and Social Services
Discover resources that will provide more information regarding local services such as health care and child well-being.
Child Protective Services
To report suspected abuse, maltreatment, or neglect of a child
Phone: 1(800) 252-2873
Website
Child Support
Child support application and procedures for your state
Website
Medicaid Eligibility – FamilyCare/All Kids Assist
Federal-State health insurance program for low-income individuals
Website
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – All Kids
Federal-State health insurance program for children – available to qualifying families who are not eligible for Medicaid. In some states, parents and pregnant women may also be covered.
Website
Illinois Department of Public Health
State government programs to promote the health of Illinois citizens
Website
Illinois COVID-19 Website
General information about COVID-19 in your state
Website
Illinois Department of Human Services
State government programs and services for children and families
Website
Division of Mental Health
State government mental health resources that may offer community mental health services (may include individual, family, and marital counseling), behavioral health services, and substance abuse programs
Website
Car Seat Basics
Information on car seat regulations and inspection services
Website
-
Financial Assistance
Are you looking for help paying for child care? Buying groceries or diapers? Find out what assistance programs are offered locally.
Child Care Assistance – Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Child care financial assistance programs
Phone: Contact your local CCR&R agency
Website
Find Your Local CCR&R Agency
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
A program offering supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition information to low-income women who are pregnant or have children aged birth to five
Website
Find Your Local WIC Clinic
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Cash assistance designed to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency
Website
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps)
Federal nutrition program
Website
Low Income Energy Assistance Program
Helps low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs
Website
-
Children with Special Needs
Learn about valuable resources for parents of children with special needs.
Easterseals Central Illinois
Offers special needs resources which may include respite care services and other community supports
Website
Easterseals Joliet Region
Offers special needs resources which may include respite care services and other community supports
Website
Easterseals Serving Chicagoland & Rockford
Offers special needs resources which may include respite care services and other community supports
Website
The Arc of Illinois
Offers special needs services that may include respite care, advocacy, training, and support groups
Website
Early Intervention
Early intervention services for infants and toddlers at risk for developmental delays
Website
-
There are currently no organizations listed
If you find that any of the information above is incorrect, please contact us at info@childcareaware.org.
