Finding Childcare in Illinois

Types of childcare providers in Illinois

There are two main categories of childcare providers in Illinois: licensed providers and license exempt providers.

Licensed care providers are day care centers, day care homes and group day care homes.

License exempt providers can be a relative, neighbor, friends or other adult that provides childcare.

How can I find a licensed care provider?

Online - Illinois has a statewide search tool that anyone can use to find a licensed care provider.
Local Resources - You can contact your local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency. These groups are often called CCR&Rs. The can answer specific questions and refer you to providers in your area. Find your local CCR&R on the bottom of this page.

Who can I choose as a license exempt care provider?

If you qualify for Illinois Child Care Assistance Program you can select a license exempt provider to care for your children. This individual must been a few requirements:

Age: The person providing care must be 18 years old or older.
Relationship: You can choose a family member, or another adult, to look after your children. The person you choose cannot live in the same household as the child they will look after. For example:
- If your sibling lives with you, they cannot be chosen as a license exempt care provider.
- If your sibling lives in another home, you can choose them as a license exempt care provider.
Background check: If your chosen provider is not related to you or your child, they must pass a background check. For example:
- If your neighbor is going to look after your children, and you are not related, they will need to pass a background check.

How many children can a license exempt provider look after?

Normally, a license exempt provider can only look after 3 children. This includes any of their own children who they would look after when they are also taking care of your children. There can be an exception to this rule if you have more than 3 children. For example:

If you have more than 3 children and your chosen provider is not looking after any other children, then they can care for all of your children.

How do I use a license exempt provider for CCAP?

Complete your CCAP application: Fill out the online or paper application available through the IDHS website, at a local office, or using Mirza's Quick Apply. Enter your chosen provider's information when prompted.
Tell your provider to keep an eye on their mailbox: Your chosen provider will receive a packet that includes the final steps needed to begin receiving payment for providing care.

If you have questions or need help with you or your provider's application find your local CCR&R here or use the table below!

Illinois CCR&Rs

County	Contact Info
Boone, Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago	YWCA Child Care Solutions (888) 225-7072 4990 East State Street Rockford, IL 61108
Bureau, Fulton, LaSalle, Marshall, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, Tazewell, Woodford	SAL Child Care Connection (309) 686-3750 3425 N. Dries Lane, Peoria, IL 61604
DuPage, Kane, Lake	YWCA Child Care Resource and Referral of Chicago 844-221-2227 2055 Army Trail Rd Suite 140 Addison, IL 60101
Carroll, DeKalb, Lee, Ogle, Whiteside, McHenry	4C: Community Coordinated Child Care (815) 758-8149 444 East Hillcrest Drive, Suite 300. DeKalb, IL 60115 For McHenry County (815) 344-5510 667 Ridgeview Rd. McHenry, IL 60050
Cook	Illinois Action for Children (312) 823-1100
Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, Will	Child Care Resource & Referral (815) 741-4622 801 N. Larkin Ave. Suite 202, Joliet, IL 60435
Henderson, Henry, Knox, McDonough, Mercer, Rock Island, Warren	Child Care Resource and Referral of Midwestern Illinois (309) 205-3070 3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 102 Moline, IL 61265
DeWitt, Ford, Livingston, McLean	Child Care Resource & Referral Network (309) 828-1892 207 W. Jefferson St. Suite 301 Bloomington, IL 61701
Champaign, Douglas, Iroquois, Macon, Piatt, and Vermilion	Child Care Resource Service (217) 333-3252 University of Illinois 905 S. Goodwin Avenue 314 Bevier Hall Urbana, IL 61801
Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Edgar, Moultrie, Shelby	Child Care Resource & Referral Eastern Illinois: University Eastern Illinois University Child Care Resource and Referral Ninth Street Hall 217-581-7081 600 Lincoln Avenue Charleston, IL 61920
Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Greene, Hancock, Jersey, Pike, Schuyler	West Central Child Care Connection (217) 222-2550 WCU Building, Suite 610 510 Maine Street Quincy, IL 62301
Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Sangamon, Scott	Community Child Care Connection (217) 525-2805 2801 W. Lawrence Ave Springfield, IL 62704
Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington	Brightpoint Child Care Resource & Referral 800-847-6770, Ext. 360 2133 Johnson Road Granite City, IL 62040 601 James Thompson Blvd. East St. Louis, IL 62201
Clay, Crawford, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Jefferson, Lawrence, Marion, Richland, Wabash, Wayne	Project CHILD: Child Care Resource & Referral (618) 244-2210 projectchild.net 327 Potomac, Suite C P.O. Box 827 Mt. Vernon, IL 62864
Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, White, Williamson	Child Care Resource & Referral John A. Logan College (800) 548-5563 700 Logan College Drive Carterville, IL 62918

Who do I contact about my CCAP application status?

Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)

Phone: 1-800-843-6154 (Customer Service Center)
Email: DHS.Eligibility@illinois.gov
Website: Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Local IDHS Offices: Find your nearest office using the IDHS office locator on the website.