This state report card is derived from "Measuring Up 2004," the national report card for higher education. Its purpose is to provide the public and policymakers with information to assess and improve postsecondary education in each state. "Measuring Up 2004" is the third in a series of biennial report cards. The report card grades states in six overall performance categories: (1) Preparation: How adequately are students in each state being prepared for education and training beyond high school?; (2) Participation: Do state residents have sufficient opportunities to enroll in education and training beyond high school?; (3) Affordability: How affordable is higher education for students and their families?; (4) Completion: Do students make progress toward and complete their certificates and degrees in a timely manner?; (5) Benefits: What benefits does the state receive as a result of having a highly educated population?; and (6) Learning: What is known about student learning as a result of education and training beyond high school? Findings for Illinois include: (1) Illinois has improved over the past decade in preparing high school students to succeed in college. This year Illinois receives a B+ in preparation; (2) Despite a drop-off in performance over the past decade, Illinois continues to do well in enrolling students in higher education compared with other states. This year Illinois is one of only nine states to receive an A in participation; (3) Illinois has seen a notable decline in the provision of affordable higher education opportunities over the past decade. This year Illinois receives a D in affordability; (4) Over the past decade, Illinois has made notable improvement in the proportion of students earning a certificate or degree in a timely manner. Illinois receives a B in completion this year; (5) Illinois, over the past decade, has improved in the benefits the state reaps from having a more highly educated population. This year, Illinois receives a B- in benefits; and (6) Illinois' high literacy levels suggest above-average abilities of the population to perform real-world tasks. Higher-than-average proportions of college graduates appear to be prepared to enroll in traditional graduate study; lower-than-average proportions appear ready to enter licensed technical careers or professions. College graduates' performance on direct measures of student learning is above average. This report also includes additional information, questions and answers, state grades, and "Measuring Up 2004" resources. [For "Measuring Up 2004: The National Report Card on Higher Education," see ED508096.]