ITAV Supports B 4412, Streamlining Criminal Background Checks
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6 minutes, 48 seconds
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — January 29, 2025
Chicago– It Takes A Village Family of Schools (ITAV) celebrates the recent passage of HB 4412 in the Illinois State Legislature in early January 2025, marking a significant step forward for the childcare industry–streamlining criminal background checks for child care facilities to enhance safety and efficiency. This legislative victory serves to address a longstanding challenge in the hiring process particularly delays caused by backlogged criminal background checks. Childcare centers and prospective employees have often faced waiting periods of three to four weeks for background checks to be completed, creating barriers to timely onboarding. These delays have worsened the ongoing staffing crisis, leaving providers understaffed and families underserved.
ITAV and our allies in the childcare sector have recognized the need to streamline the background check process to better support hiring efforts. HB 4412 provides a practical solution by granting childcare facilities the flexibility to authorize either the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) or third-party vendors to conduct criminal background checks. This change will assist in reducing delays and enhance the efficiency of onboarding new employees, helping providers overcome staffing challenges and deliver the high-quality care families deserve.
“We at ITAV believe HB 4412 is a crucial step toward alleviating the burdens our industry currently faces. By addressing these hiring bottlenecks, we can better focus on our mission to provide high-quality, culturally responsive education and care to families across Illinois,” said Anita Andrews-Hutchinson, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer.
This achievement would not have been possible without the tireless advocacy of organizations like Illinois Directors/Owners of Childcare Centers (ILDOCC) and the leadership of the bill’s chief sponsors, Representative Dave Vella and Senator Meg Loughran Cappel. ITAV extends heartfelt gratitude to these champions, whose dedication ensures a brighter future for childcare providers and families.
“One of the greatest challenges we face in the childcare sector is the difficulty in hiring and retaining staff. Rep. Vella’s and Senator Cappel’s commitment to addressing barriers to hiring will help improve both the system and families’ access to quality child care,” said Sarah Stoliker, President of ILDOCC.
As the industry awaits Governor Pritzker’s official signing of the bill into law, ITAV looks forward to implementing this improved process and continuing to advocate for policies that support and uplift child care providers and the families we serve.
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About It Takes A Village Family of Schools (ITAV)
ITAV is a Chicago-based network, dedicated to transforming communities through high-quality, culturally responsive education and comprehensive social services.
Contact Information:
Bria Carter
External Affairs Manager
312-927-3464
bcarter@itavschools.org
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