A study was conducted to establish a baseline profile of business and education linkage activities in Lake County, Illinois. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire sent to 242 public and private K-12 schools in Lake County. Two rounds of mailings resulted in the return of 109 usable forms, or 45 percent of the population. Telephone interviews were conducted with 41 percent of nonrespondents and on-site interviews were conducted with personnel in 31 schools. The information gathered provides a snapshot of the current linkage activities occurring in the county, the planned growth of those activities, and continued needs of schools for community support. It also includes examples of a wide range of established efforts that are perceived as improving the educational experience of youth. Four common themes emerged as reasons for establishing linkages with business: need, relevance for learning, promoting a positive image of the schools, and school responsibility for preparing the work force. Approximately 68 percent of the schools had some form of linkage. At the elementary level, the most prevalent forms of linkages were career speakers, materials donations, monetary awards and donations, and facility tours. The middle school respondents also indicated that career speakers were the most often used activity, followed by materials donations and facility tours. The greatest number of types of linkage activities were reported by high schools, with facility tours being the most common form of activity. This activity was followed by career speakers, job fairs, mentors, equipment donations, job shadowing, summer employment for instructors, and cooperative education. Overall, the schools indicated a 15 percent increase in the planned use of the various types of linkage activities for the 1994-95 school year, with the greatest efforts being made by the high schools. Schools noted that they would like to hear success stories from other schools, arranged through a consortium, and that they would like help in matching up schools and businesses. The study identified several innovative programs and activities occurring in Lake County schools. (The report includes three appendixes listing interview participants, 45 organizational resources, and 53 books, periodicals, and materials.) (KC)