(305 ILCS 5/9A-17)

Sec. 9A-17. Smart Start Child Care Program. Subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish the Smart Start Child Care Program. The Smart Start Child Care Program shall focus on creating affordable child care, as well as increasing access to child care, for Illinois residents and may include, but is not limited to, providing funding to increase preschool availability, providing funding for childcare workforce compensation or capital investments, and expanding funding for Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarships. The Department shall establish program eligibility criteria, participation conditions, payment levels, and other program requirements by rule. The Department of Human Services may consult with the Capital Development Board, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Illinois Housing Development Authority in the management and disbursement of funds for capital-related projects. The Capital Development Board, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Illinois Housing Development Authority shall act in a consulting role only for the evaluation of applicants, scoring of applicants, or administration of the grant program.

(Source: P.A. 103-8, eff. 6-7-23.)