20 ILCS 701/5: Statement of findings.

The General Assembly finds that:

(1) Illinois must compete in an increasingly global economy characterized by the use of advanced technologies to create new products and services and increase the efficiency of production;

(2) those new technologies include, but are not limited to, advanced telecommunications and computer technologies; advanced developments in biotechnology relating to health, medical science, and agriculture; advanced manufacturing methods; and advanced materials development;

(3) to successfully compete in the new economy, Illinois needs workers who are highly skilled in scientific, technical, and engineering occupations, including engineers; life and physical scientists; mathematical specialists; engineering and science technicians; computer specialists; and engineering, scientific, and computer managers;

(4) workers in these occupations need in-depth knowledge of the theories and principles of science, engineering, and mathematics; and

(5) there is a need to increase the number of secondary and postsecondary students preparing for and entering high technology occupations.