Early Intervention in Illinois: How It Works, and How Private Therapy Fits Alongside It

The short answer: Early Intervention (EI) is Illinois's program for children from birth to age 3 who have a developmental delay, a diagnosed condition that can affect development, or certain risk factors. Anyone can refer a child, including parents, and you don't need a doctor's referral. The evaluation, service coordination and family plan are free. As of July 1, 2026, EI is run by the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC), but the way families sign up hasn't changed. EI ends at age 3, when support can move to your school district. Many families also add private speech, occupational or ABA therapy alongside EI, because the two do different jobs.

If something about your toddler's development has you wondering, you don't need a diagnosis or certainty to ask for help. Noticing is the first step.

What is Early Intervention in Illinois?

EI is part of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which requires every state to offer support for infants and toddlers with delays. In Illinois, the program is now run by the Illinois Department of Early Childhood. It used to sit under the Illinois Department of Human Services, so you may still see older pages that say IDHS.

EI happens where your child already spends their day, usually at home or at child care. A big part of each visit is the provider working alongside you, so you can build new skills into everyday routines like meals, bath time and play.

Who qualifies for EI in Illinois?

Your child can qualify if they are under 3, live in Illinois and meet one of these criteria:

• A delay of 30% or more in at least one area: cognitive (thinking and learning), physical, communication, social-emotional, or adaptive (self-help skills like eating and dressing).
• A diagnosed physical or mental condition that's known to cause a delay, such as low birth weight or lead poisoning.
• Being at risk of a substantial delay because of circumstances like a parent's mental illness, caregiver substance use or homelessness.
• A substantiated case of abuse or neglect.

EI doesn't diagnose autism, and your child doesn't need a diagnosis to get support. If you're wondering about autism, EI can still evaluate your child's development, and a diagnosis would come separately.

How do I refer my child?

Anyone can refer a child to EI: parents, pediatricians, child care providers and others. Referrals go to one of Illinois's 25 regional Child and Family Connections (CFC) offices.

• Find your CFC office on the Illinois Department of Early Childhood's Early Intervention page.
• Or call 1-800-843-6154 (voice and TTY) to be connected to the office that serves your county.

Your evaluation and first planning meeting must happen within 45 days of the referral. That meeting creates an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), which sets your goals and services. Services should begin within 30 days after you sign the IFSP.

What does EI cost in Illinois?

These parts of EI are always free: evaluations and assessments, service coordination, and developing your IFSP.

Ongoing services can be subject to a family fee based on income and family size, but Illinois family fees are currently suspended. With your written consent, EI may bill your private insurance or All Kids (Medicaid) for services. A child can't be denied services because a family is unable to pay. Your CFC service coordinator can explain exactly what applies to your family.

EI and private therapy: why many families use both

EI and private therapy aren't competitors. They're built for different jobs, and families can use both at the same time.

What EI is built for

• Ages: birth to 3.
• Where: your home, child care or the community.
• Approach: providers work alongside you to build skills into daily routines.
• How often: set in your IFSP.
• Cost: evaluation and planning are free; family fees are currently suspended.
• At age 3: EI ends and support can move to your school district.

What private center-based therapy adds

• Ages: toddlers through the school years, with no handoff at 3.
• Where: a center with therapy rooms, gyms and classroom spaces.
• Approach: direct therapy with your child, plus parent coaching.
• How often: set by your child's plan, from a few sessions a week to more intensive ABA.
• One team: ABA, speech, occupational therapy and evaluations under one roof, sharing one plan.
• Cost: usually billed to private insurance.

Families often add private therapy when they want more hours than EI provides, when their child needs a specific kind of support like ABA, or when they want one team that stays with their child past age 3. Starting private therapy doesn't mean leaving EI. Many families keep both and ask the two teams to share notes.

What happens when my child turns 3?

EI ends at your child's third birthday, and your service coordinator helps you plan ahead:

• A transition planning conference happens no more than 9 months and no less than 90 days before your child turns 3. You, your service coordinator and, with your consent, your school district meet to talk about next steps.
• Your school district evaluates your child for Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). The district reviews what it already knows about your child with you, decides whether more testing is needed, and then determines eligibility.
• If your child is eligible, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) should be in place by their third birthday.
• Summer birthdays: if your child turns 3 between May 1 and August 31 and is eligible for ECSE, you can choose to keep EI services through the summer until the school year starts.

School services focus on what your child needs to learn and take part at school. Many families keep private therapy going alongside ECSE for support outside the school day. Our half-day school-readiness program is built for that in-between stage, when a child is heading toward a classroom but still needs one-on-one support.

Where to start in the western suburbs

If you're in DuPage County or the west suburbs and want to explore private therapy alongside EI, these are our Illinois centers:

• Naperville: ABA, speech therapy, occupational therapy, school readiness and early autism testing, off Diehl Road near I-88. Families come from Naperville, Aurora, Warrenville, Lisle and Oswego.
• Wheaton: ABA, speech therapy, occupational therapy and school readiness near Danada Square, with evening and Saturday hours. Families come from Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Carol Stream and West Chicago.
• Woodridge: ABA, speech therapy, occupational therapy, school readiness and mental health near Seven Bridges. Families come from Woodridge, Downers Grove, Bolingbrook, Darien and Lisle.
• Elmhurst: ABA, speech therapy, occupational therapy, school readiness and mental health in downtown Elmhurst, steps from the Metra. Families come from Elmhurst, Addison, Bensenville, Franklin Park and Melrose Park.

In Illinois we accept BCBS PPO, BCBS Blue Choice, BCBS HMO (Endeavor Health and Ascension), TriWest, UnitedHealthcare and United Behavioral Health, and we check your benefits before your child's first visit. Learn more about how insurance covers ABA.

Common questions

Can I refer my own child to Early Intervention in Illinois?

Yes. Anyone can refer a child, including parents. Contact your local Child and Family Connections office or call 1-800-843-6154.

Is Early Intervention free in Illinois?

Evaluations, service coordination and your family plan are always free. Ongoing services can carry a family fee based on income, but Illinois family fees are currently suspended.

Did Early Intervention change when it moved to the Department of Early Childhood?

Not for families. Eligibility, services and the Child and Family Connections offices stayed the same when the program moved on July 1, 2026.

Can my child get EI and private therapy at the same time?

Yes. They serve different purposes, and many Illinois families use both. Ask both teams to share goals so your child gets one consistent message.

Does Early Intervention provide ABA therapy?

EI focuses on developmental support in everyday settings. ABA therapy is usually provided by private providers and is often covered by insurance with an autism diagnosis.

What if my child is already close to 3?

You can still refer. If your child turns 3 soon, ask about your school district's Early Childhood Special Education evaluation, and consider starting private therapy so support doesn't pause during the handoff.

Sources: Illinois Department of Early Childhood, Early Intervention for parents; Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse (EI process, Extended Services and family fee notices); Illinois State Board of Education, Early Intervention to Early Childhood Special Education Transition FAQ (2025); IDEA Part C. Last checked October 2026.