This publication presents the officially adopted focus statements for Illinois public universities which describe the distinctive strengths and contributions of each institution, their priorities, and their immediate programmatic directions. Focus statements are developed at the State Board of Higher Education level for statewide planning purposes in contrast to mission statements which institutions develop for themselves and which institutions' boards approve. To illustrate the purpose of focus statements, the paper offers examples from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville which include the institution's Statement of Mission, Master Plan Mission, Focus Statement, and a priorities statement. The paper then lists the common goals and priorities of all Illinois public universities and provides the focus statements of the following institutions: Chicago State University; Eastern Illinois University; Governors State University; Northeastern Illinois University; Western Illinois University; Illinois State University; Northern Illinois University; Sangamon State University; Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville; University of Illinois at Chicago; and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. An appendix contains statements for each institution adopted in 1976 and replaced by the statements presented in this document. (JB)