(a) The General Assembly finds that: (1) one in 5 Illinois citizens is unable to read, write, and speak in English, and compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job and in society, to achieve one's goals, and develop one's knowledge and potential; (2) Illinois ranks 34th among the states in the literacy level of its citizens; (3) literacy problems are intergenerational and the cycle must be broken to stem further growth of illiteracy; (4) less than 5% of the Illinois population in need of basic skills is now being served; (5) one in 8 workers nationwide reads below the sixth grade level, yet the materials they are required to use are written between the ninth and twelfth grade levels; (6) one-half of all new jobs between now and the year 2000 will require some education beyond high school and one-third will be filled by college graduates; and (7) fully one-half of the incarcerated persons in Illinois read below the eighth grade level. (b) The General Assembly declares that this Act is created to ensure the improvement of literacy and basic skill levels of Illinois citizens by coordinating, integrating, and investing in adult and family literacy programs in Illinois communities. This Act will facilitate the implementation of the objectives of the National Education Goals and the National Literacy Act which state that, by the year 2000, all children will start school ready to learn and every adult will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a global economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. write, and speak in English, and compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job and in society, to achieve one's goals, and develop one's knowledge and potential; literacy level of its citizens; cycle must be broken to stem further growth of illiteracy; of basic skills is now being served; grade level, yet the materials they are required to use are written between the ninth and twelfth grade levels; 2000 will require some education beyond high school and one-third will be filled by college graduates; and Illinois read below the eighth grade level.
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