103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5312
 
Introduced 2/9/2024, by Rep. Harry Benton
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
225 ILCS 10/6.5 new
    Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that an early childhood teacher must meet one of the following qualifications: (1) complete 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university with either 6 semester hours in early childhood education or complete the Gateways Early Childhood Education Credential Level 1 training; (2) complete 1,560 clock hours of child development experience and 30 semester hours from an accredited college or university with either 6 semester hours in early childhood education or Gateways Early Childhood Education Credential Level 1 training; (3) complete 2,080 clock hours of child development experience as a teacher assistant in a day care center, complete the Gateways Early Childhood Education Credential Level 1 training, and provide proof of enrollment from an accredited college or university until 30 semester hours are attained or proof of enrollment in an early childhood teacher credentialing program, either of which must be completed in no more than 5 years from the date of initial enrollment; or (4) complete a credentialing program approved by the Department of Children and Family Services in accordance with administrative rule.


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A BILL FOR
 
HB5312LRB103 35776 SPS 65858 b

1    AN ACT concerning regulation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Child Care Act of 1969 is amended by adding 
5Section 6.5 as follows:
 
6    (225 ILCS 10/6.5 new)
7    Sec. 6.5. Qualifications for early childhood teachers. An 
8early childhood teacher must meet one of the following 
9qualifications:
10        (1) complete 60 semester hours from an accredited 
11    college or university with either 6 semester hours in 
12    early childhood education or complete the Gateways Early 
13    Childhood Education Credential Level 1 training; 
14        (2) complete 1,560 clock hours of child development 
15    experience and 30 semester hours from an accredited 
16    college or university with either 6 semester hours in 
17    early childhood education or Gateways Early Childhood 
18    Education Credential Level 1 training; 
19        (3) complete 2,080 clock hours of child development 
20    experience as a teacher assistant in a day care center, 
21    complete the Gateways Early Childhood Education Credential 
22    Level 1 training, and provide proof of enrollment from an 
23    accredited college or university until 30 semester hours 
 
 
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1    are attained or proof of enrollment in an early childhood 
2    teacher credentialing program, either of which must be 
3    completed in no more than 5 years from the date of initial 
4    enrollment; or 
5        (4) complete a credentialing program approved by the 
6    Department in accordance with 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407 
7    Appendix G.