In 1978, the Illinois Legislature passed several reform measures (signed in 1979 and 1983) that left probation departments under local jurisdiction, but provided for more uniform and standardized procedures set by the State. Salaries for probation officers and administrators are subsidized or paid in full by the State. Minimum employment and promotion qualifications are set by the State, as are hiring procedures. Training programs for personnel are mandated and monitored, and specialized probation services are State-funded. Of Illinois' 102 Counties, 94 have departments with at least 1 full-time probation officer. 21 footnotes and 1 figure.