The Illinois Literacy Council's Long-Range Planning team interviewed more than 100 educators, business representatives, policy makers, and adult new readers to gather their thoughts about the state of literacy and how it might be improved. Their report raises 7 issues and presents 11 recommendations. The seven issues relate to the following: (1) definition of literacy; (2) needs assessment; (3) accountability standards; (4) best practices; (5) literacy council role; (6) funding criteria; and (7) effective use of funds. The 11 recommendations respond to the seven issues: (1) reading, writing, and math levels below the ninth grade should define literacy need for program funding; (2) individual literacy plans should be developed by local programs; (3) needs assessment of literacy needs should be conducted by state agencies and the Educational Testing Service; (4) a committee should establish literacy programs and accountability evaluators; (5) a standard level of training should be established to meet local program needs; (6) a project should be funded to determine model programs; (7) the literacy council should be a public/private partnership entity; (8) funding priorities should remain focused with programs serving those students least educated and most in need; (9) the minimum state appropriation should provide enough money for growth; (10) new monies should be targeted for workplace, family, and special needs programming; and (11) an integrated policy on funding and quality program delivery of literacy services should be developed. (NLA)