In 2010, Illinois passed legislation making significant changes to its principal preparation and licensure policies. With the goal of improving student outcomes and closing achievement gaps, the state updated standards for principal preparation programs with a focus on instructional leadership. Illinois's reforms were ambitious, requiring all programs to reapply for approval from the state board of education under the new standards. Included in the legislation was something unique to Illinois-- a call to prepare all principals to lead pre-K students. This overview of the report, "Preparing Principals for Pre-K in Illinois: The Prairie State's Story of Reform and Implementation" includes both a history of the reform efforts and a look at how implementation has fared nearly a decade after the legislation was signed into law. It also offers lessons and recommendations for other states looking to follow Illinois's lead and ensure principals are equipped to lead pre-K and early grade classrooms. [For the full report, see ED599865.]