Section 20 ILCS 3510/1 - Findings and declaration of policy and purposeThe General Assembly finds and declares that:
(a) Substantial amounts of asbestos materials were used throughout buildings and other facilities, including landfills and other containment and storage facilities, owned, operated, and maintained by private institutions and public corporations during the period from 1946 to 1972 for fireproofing, soundproofing, decorative, and other purposes.(b) Exposure to asbestos fibers and particles in the air over an extended period of time has been linked by reputable medical and scientific authorities to a significant increase in the incidence of disease, such as asbestosis, bronchogenic carcinoma, mesothelioma, and other malignancies.(c) Based upon existing scientific evidence and the long-standing widespread and public incidence of exposure to asbestos, there is an urgent and immediate need to finance costs of asbestos abatement projects by public corporations and private institutions; and the financing of the costs of asbestos abatement projects will promote the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this State and offer significant economic benefits and an improved quality of life for all citizens of this State.(d) Authorizing the Authority to borrow money in the public and private capital markets in order to provide funds to public corporations and private institutions will assist those public corporations and private institutions in carrying out asbestos abatement projects at lower overall borrowing costs and on more favorable terms than is otherwise available.(e) The provisions of this Act are in the public interest, for the public benefit, and serve a public purpose.