Political changes underway at both the federal and state levels will dramatically affect public policies for children and their families in the years ahead. Drawing from over 550 budget line items in 10 state departments from 1990 to 1995, this report looks at spending on Illinois' children and families by program areas, with some specific programs mentioned in each section. Two programs not funded by the state, Head Start and Food Stamps, are also discussed. The report holds the dollar amounts constant for inflation, which allows examination of "real" spending changes over time. The 10 program areas for which spending amounts are detailed are: (1) economic security; (2) employment assistance; (3) health; (4) nutrition; (5) adolescent health and prevention; (6) children with disabilities; (7) early childhood care and education; (8) education; (9) children and families at risk; and (10) community services/juvenile justice. An appendix contains charts listing spending categories for specific programs. The primary lesson emerging from this report is that Illinois is spending more and more of its limited resources reacting to problems rather than preventing those problems in the first place. (HTH)