20 ILCS 1510/5: Statement of Findings and Purpose.

(a) Findings. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) the relationship between a strong educational system, practical and realistic training and retraining programs and a healthy national economy is inseparable in an era in which economic growth is dependent on technology and is imperiled by unemployment, increasing numbers of unskilled, ill-trained and undereducated individuals in the workforce or seeking employment;

(2) restoring the competitiveness and enhancing the productivity of Illinois will require that all workers possess basic educational skills and job experience; and

(3) our State must recognize the substantial impact that an investment in human capital will have on increasing productivity.

(b) Purpose. It is therefore the purpose of this Act to establish a State program designed to improve our productivity and competitive position by investing in human capital, and to assist youth and adults to become productive workers in a competitive economy by authorizing a job opportunity program.