This book is intended to make Illinois educators aware of the legal and financial aspects of their job, so that they may avoid legal pitfalls and become more efficient practitioners of their profession. Based on the premise that legal and financial matters are only means to the end of providing quality education for all students, the authors stress the importance of the total educational process as a basis for understanding the law. Data for the authors' analysis were drawn primarily from court decisions, the U.S. Constitution, the Illinois state constitution, and statutes enacted by the General Assembly of Illinois. Separate chapters are devoted to discussion of education in the governmental structure, the purpose of public education, the Illinois public school system, legal status of teachers, teacher certification, teacher contracts, teacher tenure, teacher retirement, tort liability of school districts and school employees, miscellaneous statutory responsibilities, rights, and limitations of teachers, and financial facts that teachers need to know. (Author/JG)