Using original source documents, secondary sources, and the author's personal knowledge, this ten-chapter monograph traces the development of the Illinois junior and community colleges from 1946 through 1980. While focusing on the characteristics, functions, and legislative mandates of the colleges in the 1940's, Chapter I also summarizes the highlights of the history of Illinois junior colleges since 1901. Chapter II discusses the planning and development activities undertaken by the colleges and the state during the 1950's in response to the post-World War II baby boom. Chapter III discusses the Illinois Board of Higher Education's 1964 Master Plan and its implementation through the Junior College Act of 1965. Chapters IV and V review the development of a statewide system of junior colleges, beginning with the formation of the Illinois State Junior College Board in 1965 and continuing through the early 1970's. Chapter VI considers site selection and building construction resulting from the Junior College Act of 1965. Chapter VII reviews curriculum and staffing trends. Chapter VIII discusses litigation introduced in 1968 to test the constitutionality of the Junior College Act of 1965. Chapter IX describes the Illinois Association of Junior Colleges and its successor the Illinois Association of Community and Junior Colleges. Chapter X presents summary conclusions. (JP)