A new Illinois law gives small licensed day care centers a one-year window to hire directors who are still completing required training.
Most Illinois child care owners don't realize that a provision buried in HB4587 has quietly changed the rules for hiring a director—and it could affect your staffing decisions starting in 2027.
Here's what changed: Under Section 6.5(a) of HB4587, licensed day care centers can now hire a director who does not yet hold full qualifications, as long as that person is actively enrolled in and completing the required coursework. This temporary exception lasts for 12 months from the hire date.
This provision applies to licensed day care centers in Illinois—typically small businesses that operate independently or as part of a small chain. If you've faced a director vacancy, you know the bind: you need someone in the role immediately, but fully credentialed directors are expensive and hard to find. This law gives you a third option: hire someone qualified in other ways who commits to finishing their director certification within a year.
The practical benefit is clear. Instead of leaving a director position empty (which disrupts operations and shifts work to other staff) or paying a significant premium to recruit a fully certified director from outside your region, you can promote from within or hire a strong candidate who is mid-training. The person must be actively pursuing the required credentials—not just planning to someday—but the law gives you 12 months to get them across the finish line.
This is especially valuable for small centers where turnover in the director role can be destabilizing. It also creates a pathway for staff development: you can support an assistant director or experienced teacher in completing their director training while they work.
The provision takes effect on July 1, 2027. This gives you time to understand the rule before it applies to your hiring decisions.
The exception itself is temporary. Section 6.5(a) is set to be repealed on June 30, 2032—meaning this 12-month hiring window is available for five years, then sunsets. After that date, the standard director qualification requirements return.
The law is found in Section 6.5(a) on Page 2 of HB4587.
One important note: this is a compliance window, not a loophole. The person you hire must actually be enrolled in and progressing through the required coursework. You'll need to document that enrollment and track their progress toward completion within the 12-month period.
If you operate a licensed day care center in Illinois, it's worth reviewing your director succession plan with this new option in mind. For a more detailed breakdown of how this applies to your specific situation, a free business-focused summary is available through the Illinois child care trade association.
Source: HB4587, Section 6.5(a), effective July 1, 2027.