The practice of speech-language pathology and audiology in the State of Illinois is hereby declared to affect the public health, safety and welfare and to be subject to regulation and control in the public interest. It is further declared to be a matter of public interest and concern that the speech-language pathology and audiology professions merit and receive the confidence of the public and that only qualified persons be permitted to practice this profession in the State of Illinois. This Act shall be liberally construed to carry out these objectives and purposes.
     It is further declared to be the public policy of this State, pursuant to subsections (h) and (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, that any power or function set forth in this Act to be exercised by the State is an exclusive State power or function. Such power or function shall not be exercised concurrently, either directly or indirectly, by any unit of local government, including home rule units, except as otherwise provided in this Act.