Early Intervention in Illinois (birth to 3): how to get your child evaluated

Who is eligible for Early Intervention in Illinois?

Early Intervention is for infants and toddlers under 36 months old. Illinois uses three paths to eligibility under its EI rules (89 Ill. Admin. Code 500.20).

• Developmental delay: a delay of 30% or more in at least one area: cognitive, physical (including vision and hearing), communication, social or emotional, or adaptive (self-help) development.
• A diagnosed physical or mental condition with a high probability of causing delay, such as those on the state's approved list or confirmed by a pediatrician or pediatric specialist. IDEC gives low birth weight and lead poisoning as examples.
• At risk of substantial delay, based on the informed clinical opinion of the evaluation team. This can include a parent with a diagnosed serious mental illness or developmental disability, or three or more listed risk factors such as homelessness, a primary caregiver under 15, or an indicated case of abuse or neglect.

How do I refer my child?

You do not need a doctor's referral. IDEC says anyone can refer a child, and you can contact your regional Child and Family Connections (CFC) office directly. Illinois has 25 CFC offices, each covering specific counties or, in Cook County, specific ZIP codes. Cook County has seven.

If you are not sure which office serves you, call 1-800-843-6154 (voice/TTY) or use the CFC listing on the IDEC website. Your pediatrician can also make the referral.

1. Find the CFC office for your county or ZIP code and call it.
2. Tell the intake worker your concerns and your child's age and date of birth.
3. A service coordinator is assigned to your family and schedules the evaluation.
4. The evaluation and assessments are completed and eligibility is decided.
5. If your child is eligible, the team writes the IFSP with you, within 45 days of the referral.

What is the 45-day timeline?

Federal Part C rules (34 CFR 303.310) require the screening if used, the initial evaluation, the child and family assessments, and the first IFSP meeting to be completed within 45 days from the date the EI program receives the referral. Illinois EI rules define a day as a calendar day, so this is 45 calendar days, not school days.

What happens at the evaluation?

Qualified professionals look at all five areas of development using approved tools and, when a child cannot be tested accurately with standard tools, informed clinical opinion. They also talk with you about your child's daily routines and your family's concerns and priorities.

The evaluation and assessments are free to families. You can share any reports you already have from your pediatrician, NICU follow-up clinic or private therapists.

What is an IFSP?

The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is the written plan for EI. It lists your child's current skills, the outcomes your family wants, the services your child will get (for example developmental therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy or physical therapy), how often, and where.

EI services must be provided, to the maximum extent appropriate, in natural environments. These are settings that are typical for a child the same age without a disability, such as your home, child care or community places. Services are built around coaching you and other caregivers during everyday routines.

Does Early Intervention cost money in Illinois?

Some parts of EI are always free: child find, screenings, evaluations and assessments, service coordination, IFSP development and review, medical diagnostic services, and interpretation and translation. Direct services such as physical, developmental or speech therapy can be subject to a sliding-scale Family Participation Fee.

As of September 2026, IDEC says family fees remain suspended. A planned fee change that was set to start January 1, 2026 was paused. When fees apply, they are based on household size and income, families at or below 318% of the federal poverty level are not charged, and a family is never charged more than EI paid for the fee-based services. EI may use your insurance to help cover services, which can lower any fee you owe. Ask your service coordinator for the current rules for your family.

What happens when my child turns 3?

EI ends at age 3, and eligible children move to early childhood special education through your local school district under Part B of IDEA. With your permission, EI holds a transition conference with you and the school district at least 90 days, and up to 9 months, before your child's third birthday. The IFSP must include a transition plan in that same window.

The school district then evaluates your child. If your child is eligible, the district must have an IEP in place by the third birthday. Illinois also offers Extended Services: if your child's birthday falls between May 1 and August 31 and your child is found eligible for early childhood special education, you can choose to continue EI until the school year starts.

Who runs Early Intervention now?

On July 1, 2026, the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) became the lead agency for Early Intervention, taking over from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). IDEC was created by legislation signed in June 2024 and combines early childhood programs from IDHS, ISBE and DCFS.

IDEC told families there would be no changes to eligibility criteria or services because of the move, and that CFC offices stay the same. Some forms and web pages may still carry the IDHS name during the changeover. Questions can go to Questions.IDEC@illinois.gov.