The National Board of Inquiry on Schools conducted hearings in nine states to determine the extent to which equal educational opportunity has been achieved and to identify the areas in which additional efforts must be made. The study found several significant achievements and changes, but also found that inadequate funding and prejudicial attitudes are combining to prevent efforts to provide equal opportunity from being as effective as possible. A supplement to the National Board of Inquiry's report on this study, this publication discusses the problems facing reformers in Illinois as revealed in the Illinois hearings conducted as part of the larger study. The problems fall into four categories: discrimination and differential treatment, threats to an effective mainstream learning program, inadequate responses to special needs, and barriers to public involvement. The material presented consists primarily of key information provided by hearing witnesses. The hearings revealed that the problems are spread throughout the state. Considering the present interest in major educational reform, it seems critical to address these issues along with the more popular issues of educational quality. Seven hard questions, dealing with issues like discrimination, mainstreaming, dropouts, and involvement of parents, that should be asked when assessing recommendations for reform conclude the document. (PGD)