SPRINGFIELD – Seeking to provide more daycare scheduling options for shift workers, State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) recently advanced legislation to create flexibility for working parents.

“Families throughout Illinois are finding it difficult to make ends meet as high inflation and other economic pressures impact their bottom line. As employment conditions change, we need a more flexible childcare system to meet the different needs of working parents,” Sen. Tracy said. “I have long advocated for measures that support growing families and help provide children and their parents with the best opportunities possible.”

Senate Bill 3207 authorizes daycare centers to operate for 24 hours and provide care for children for up to 12 hours if the parent of the child is employed in a position that requires regularly scheduled shifts. A 10-hour period must elapse between daycare visits.

“I sponsored this bill at the request of a daycare provider in Quincy who would like the option to provide 24-hour daycare availability for shift workers,” Sen. Tracy said. “The intent is not to allow a child to be in a daycare facility for 24 hours, but to provide flexibility for caregivers and the working parents they serve.”

The bill directs the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the new system.

Senate Bill 3207 received unanimous support when it passed out of the Senate on April 12. The legislation now advances to the House of Representatives for further consideration.