Illinois DCFS licenses home daycares under 225 ILCS 10 and 89 Ill. Adm. Code 406/408. Family daycares (up to 8 children) and group daycares (up to 16 with assistant) operate as home occupations in Will County subject to municipal zoning review.
225 ILCS 10 (Child Care Act of 1969) requires DCFS licensing for anyone caring for more than 3 unrelated children in a home. Family Day Care Homes (89 Ill. Adm. Code 406) allow up to 8 children including operator's own under 12, with restrictions on age mix. Group Day Care Homes (89 Ill. Adm. Code 408) allow up to 16 children with a qualified assistant. Illinois law under 225 ILCS 10/7 preempts zoning that prohibits licensed family day care homes in residential districts; they are a permitted home occupation as of right, though municipalities may impose reasonable traffic, parking, and signage conditions. Group Day Care Homes may require conditional use permit. Will County unincorporated zoning treats family daycare as home occupation under LUO §155-7.4. Joliet, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Plainfield, New Lenox, Mokena, Frankfort, and Lockport each permit family daycare as a matter of right in residential zones. Requirements include DCFS background checks (criminal and CANTS), CPR/first aid, 15 hours initial training plus 15 annually, fire inspection, 35 sq ft indoor space per child, outdoor play area, and liability insurance.
Unlicensed operation: DCFS cease and desist, $500-$10,000 civil penalty under 225 ILCS 10/6, potential Class A misdemeanor. Exceeding capacity: immediate reduction order, license suspension. Background check failures: immediate license revocation. Zoning violations: municipal fines $100-$500 per day.
Will County, IL
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Will County, IL
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Will County, IL
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Will County, IL
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Will County, IL
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Will County, IL
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