205 ILCS 205/1002: Policy and purpose.

The purpose of this Act is to provide for the chartering, regulation, and corporate governance of savings banks. The policy of this Act is to encourage growth of the personal savings base of the citizens of Illinois; to provide a healthy savings bank industry with safe and sound methods of investment so that this savings base will be retained in Illinois for Illinois' growth; to counter the flight of capital from Illinois; to build a strong new system of financial institutions in Illinois which will, by their strength, be controlled and owned by Illinois citizens and corporations and shall be the nucleus for a geographically expansive industry.

To further its purpose and policies, this Act shall be liberally construed except for those provisions that relate to safety and soundness of operations, investments, and management. In those areas, the General Assembly decrees that this Act shall be strictly construed and that each savings bank shall apply the prudent person rule. The Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate shall interpret those Sections of this Act in keeping with that standard.