An overview is provided of the governance, organization, enrollment, programs, finances, facilities, legislation, and significant problems of the Illinois public community colleges. The first section provides a description of the organization of the 39 public community college districts, which comprise 50 colleges and five branch campuses. Next, a section on student enrollment points out that nearly 55% of all undergraduates in Illinois are enrolled in a community college; and that while overall enrollments decreased in 1988, enrollment in baccalaureate and vocational skills programs increased. The third section focuses on college programs, highlighting a continuation of the increase in the number of occupational curricula offered by the colleges. The fourth section provides information on revenue sources, including data on current state grants. The next sections discuss facilities funding and legislation affecting the community college system. The seventh section reviews the problems and needs addressed by the Illinois Community College Board during the previous year, including transfer articulation, capital project credit certification, economic development, inter-district policy issues, minority student programs, and a statewide program review and evaluation process. The final section considers problems and needs yet to be addressed, including specific articulation problems with certain universities, asbestos and hazardous building materials, the impact of faculty retirements, health insurance for community college retirees, local tax revenue inadequacies in certain districts, professional development, the effectiveness of the experimental State Community College, state funding inadequacies for education, student financial aid, technology transfer, and the new federal Trade Bill and dislocated worker centers. (JMC)