325 ILCS 3/20-35: Great START program.

(a) Through June 30, 2026, the Department of Human Services shall, subject to a specific appropriation for this purpose, operate a Great START (Strategy To Attract and Retain Teachers) program. The goal of the program is to improve children's developmental and educational outcomes in child care by encouraging increased professional preparation by staff and staff retention. The Great START program shall coordinate with the TEACH professional development program.

The program shall provide wage supplements and may include other incentives to licensed child care center personnel, including early childhood teachers, school-age workers, early childhood assistants, school-age assistants, and directors, as such positions are defined by administrative rule of the Department of Children and Family Services. The program shall provide wage supplements and may include other incentives to licensed family early care and education home personnel and licensed group early care and education home personnel, including caregivers and assistants as such positions are defined by administrative rule of the Department of Children and Family Services. Individuals will receive supplements commensurate with their qualifications.

(b) On and after July 1, 2026, the Department of Early Childhood shall, subject to a specific appropriation for this purpose, operate a Great START program. The goal of the program is to improve children's developmental and educational outcomes in early care and education by encouraging increased professional preparation by staff and staff retention. The Great START program shall coordinate with the TEACH professional development program.

The program shall provide wage supplements and may include other incentives to licensed child care center personnel, including early childhood teachers, school-age workers, early childhood assistants, school-age assistants, and directors, as such positions are defined by administrative rule by the Department pursuant to subsection (a) and this subsection.

(c) The Department, pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), shall, by rule, define the scope and operation of the program, including a wage supplement scale. The scale shall pay increasing amounts for higher levels of educational attainment beyond minimum qualifications and shall recognize longevity of employment. Subject to the availability of sufficient appropriation, the wage supplements shall be paid to child care personnel in the form of bonuses at 6-month intervals. Six months of continuous service with a single employer is required to be eligible to receive a wage supplement bonus. Wage supplements shall be paid directly to individual early care and education personnel, not to their employers. Eligible individuals must provide to the Department or its agent all information and documentation, including but not limited to college transcripts, to demonstrate their qualifications for a particular wage supplement level.

If appropriations permit, the Department may include one-time signing bonuses or other incentives to help providers attract staff, provided that the signing bonuses are less than the supplement staff would have received if they had remained employed with another early care and education center or family early care and education home.

If appropriations permit, the Department may include one-time longevity bonuses or other incentives to recognize staff who have remained with a single employer.