(305 ILCS 5/8A-1) (from Ch. 23, par. 8A-1)
    Sec. 8A-1. Legislative Intent. Because of the pervasive nature of public assistance fraud and its negative effect on the people of the State of Illinois and those individuals who need public assistance, the General Assembly declares it to be public policy that public assistance fraud be identified and dealt with swiftly and appropriately considering the onerous nature of the crime.
(Source: P.A. 82-440.)