This report to the Illinois Senate Committee on Higher Education assesses the extent to which students in metropolitan Chicago have real access to higher education and choice among postsecondary institutions. The chapters in part I address issues related to inequality in higher education in Chicago, providing analyses of the causes of inequality, the educational attainment of Chicago residents, the higher education institutions in the area, higher education enrollments, and graduation and attrition. Part II identifies patterns and causes of educational inequality, providing information on high school graduates' backgrounds, information, and college choices; the channelling of high school graduates to particular colleges; educational inequality among community colleges; choice and channelling among community colleges; student transfer between two- and four-year institutions; the impact of financial aid on access and choice in higher education; and the roles of teachers in the perpetuation of inequality. The final chapter in part II offers recommendations on high school preparation, curriculum, staffing, fiscal stability, requirements, counseling, school-college bridge programs, and financial aid policy changes. A six-page bibliography is included. (HB)