325 ILCS 25/1

(325 ILCS 25/1) (from Ch. 23, par. 6551)

Sec. 1.

The Department of Human Services (acting as successor to the
Illinois Department of Public Aid under the Department of Human Services
Act), in cooperation with
the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois State Board
of Education, the Department of Children and Family Services, the
Department of Employment Services and other appropriate State and local
agencies, may establish and administer, on an experimental basis and
subject to appropriation, community-based programs providing
comprehensive, long-term intervention strategies to increase future
employability and career development among high risk youth.
The Department of Human Services, and the other cooperating
agencies, shall
establish provisions for community involvement in the design, development,
implementation and administration of these programs. The programs
may provide the following services: teaching of basic literacy and
remedial reading and writing; vocational training programs which are
realistic in terms of producing lifelong skills necessary for career
development; and supportive services including transportation and child
care during the training period and for up to one year after placement in a
job.  The programs shall be targeted to high risk youth residing in the
geographic areas served by the respective programs.  "High risk" means that
a person is at least 16 years of age but not yet 21 years of age and
possesses one or more of the following characteristics:

(1) has a  low income;

(2) is a member of a minority;

(3) is illiterate;

(4) is a school dropout;

(5) is homeless;

(6) is a person with a disability;

(7) is a parent; or

(8) is a youth in care as defined in Section 4d of