Ness-Backed Measure Prioritizing Child Safety at Day Care Centers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, is advocating for the increased safety of children at day care centers by backing a measure that requires day care centers to conduct regular criminal background checks of their employees and volunteers.

“Working families across the state rely on day care centers to take care of their children while they are working to support their family. While all parents worry for the safety of their children, they should not be concerned for the safety of their children while at day care,” said Ness. “The safety of children at day care is crucial, and that begins with making sure the day care workers are safe people for our children to be around.”

The Ness-backed House Bill 3439 requires that an employee or volunteer at a day care center or home completes a criminal background check every five years. While waiting for the results of a criminal background from the Department of Children and Family Services or Department of Early Childhood, day care centers may hire an employee or volunteer on a probationary basis only if said employee or volunteer has received a qualifying background check result from either the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Illinois State Police.

Employees or volunteers that are hired on a probationary basis will be supervised at all times by an employee that has passed a background check, ensuring the safety of all children at a day care. Additionally, these probationary workers will be made aware before hiring that their employment can be terminated due to the results of their criminal background check.

“Whether they be an employee or volunteer, the workers at day care centers need to be safe people for our children to spend the day with and we can make sure this is true by conducting regular criminal background checks on day care workers,” said Ness. “I am proud to support this bill, ensuring the safety of children across the state when they are at day care and easing the minds of parents who place their trust in day cares daily.”

House Bill 3439 passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support and now goes to Gov. Pritzker for signature.