Illinois Statutes Chapter 305. Public Aid § 50/5. Evaluation

(a) The Department of Public Aid shall contract for a scientific evaluation of the effectiveness of its job training and education programs for recipients of aid under Article IV of the Illinois Public Aid Code.  1

(b) The methodology of the evaluation shall consist of a controlled experiment in which a statistically significant group of recipients of aid who are eligible for or volunteering to participate in the program is divided into 2 groups by a random assignment: an experimental group (which participates in the program) and a control group (which does not participate in the program). The effect of the program on its participants shall be evaluated by comparing the control and experimental groups.

(c) As used in this Section, “random assignment” means any established method that divides a population into 2 or more groups on a random statistical basis, thereby assuring initial homogeneity between experimental and control groups necessary for scientific comparison.

(d) If, within the 3 years preceding the effective date of this Act, the Department has done a scientific evaluation of a program with a statistically significant sample, using both a control group and an experimental group, then the Department is not required to repeat that evaluation under this Act.

(e) If an evaluation required under this Section is not completed before July 1, 1997, the Department of Human Services (acting as successor to the Department of Public Aid under the Department of Human Services Act)  2 shall ensure that the evaluation is completed.