This document addresses correctional education, its effect on recidivism, and the cost of crime in the state of Illinois. COmmendations about current efforts, as well as recommendations for fiscal year 1991 are listed. Commendations are made: (1) for the work of the task force on released inmates; (2) to the competent and committed correctional education personnel throughout the state; and (3) for the continued improvements on computerized offender tracking system. Recommendations are made to: develop and evaluate a comprehensive 5-year plan for statewide correctional education; conduct external evaluations every 5 years; continue industrial training development and implement a plan in each institution; institute a reward system for educational achievement; require each student to prepare an individualized career plan; expand the computerized offender tracking system; establish a state council to assist in the coordination of services; continue to pursue sources of federal funding; stress application of basic skills; review programs for females; consider extending the school day; require minimum-security-classified inmates to be functional at the sixth grade reading level; look at moving inmates on the basis of programmatic needs; consider requiring all inmates at minimum-security institutions to enroll in a work-study program; continue to encourage and support the agencies that assist criminals in becoming productive citizens; and to require education agencies to address the delivery services to offenders in the community. (Supporting statements for these recommendations and inmates' success stories are included.) (BHK)