Illinois Statutes Chapter 20. Executive Branch § 4075/5. Legislative findings

§ 5. Legislative findings. The General Assembly finds that positive development opportunities for children and youth are an essential investment in the future well-being of our State. Over the past decade Illinois has invested significant resources in programs and services for children and youth in areas such as education, health care, delinquency prevention, and child welfare. Recent initiatives to expand health care and preschool for all children statewide are significant steps toward establishing Illinois as a national leader in providing foundational services to its youngest residents. These investments have supported important opportunities for healthy development, yet there continue to be unmet needs, service gaps, and other challenges facing children, youth and young adults across Illinois. It has been over 22 years since Illinois has had a commission to explore how the State serves its children and youth and allocates its resources in a manner that most effectively supports children and youth. Illinois is committed to being a model state in forging innovative life development opportunities for all children and youth and needs to develop a vision and strategic plan to achieve this goal.