(305 ILCS 5/2-12) (from Ch. 23, par. 2-12)
    Sec. 2-12. "Illinois Department"; "Department". In this Code, "Illinois Department" or "Department", when a particular entity is not specified, means the following:
        (1) In the case of a function performed before July
    
1, 1997 (the effective date of the Department of Human Services Act), the term means the Department of Public Aid.
        (2) Except as provided in paragraph (2.5), in the
    
case of a function to be performed on or after July 1, 1997 under Article III, IV, VI, IX, or IXA, the term means the Department of Human Services as successor to the Illinois Department of Public Aid.
        (2.5) In the case of a function to be performed on or
    
after July 1, 2026 under Sections 9A-11 and 9A-11-5, the term means the Department of Early Childhood.
        (3) In the case of a function to be performed on or
    
after July 1, 1997 under Article V, V-A, V-B, V-C, V-D, V-E, X, XIV, or XV, the term means the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid).
        (4) In the case of a function to be performed on or
    
after July 1, 1997 under Article I, II, VIIIA, XI, XII, or XIII, the term means the Department of Human Services (acting as successor to the Illinois Department of Public Aid) or the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) or both, according to whether that function, in the specific context, has been allocated to the Department of Human Services or the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid) or both of those departments.
(Source: P.A. 103-594, eff. 6-25-24.)