ILLINOIS LEGISLATION CALLS FOR APPROPRIATE PUBLIC AGENCIES IN ALL COMMUNITIES TO SUBMIT TENTATIVE AND FINAL 911 IMPLEMENTATION PLANS BY THE END OF 1980 AND 1981, RESPECTIVELY. IN 1977, THE STATE HELD HEARINGS ON PROPOSED OPERATIONS AND TECHNICAL STANDARDS, FINAL ADOPTION OF WHICH IS EXPECTED SOON. IN ADDITION, TELEPHONE TARIFFS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED BY PARTICIPATING TELEPHONE COMPANIES, TO BE REVIEWED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. EIGHT PLANNING STEPS FOR 911 IMPLEMENTATION ARE SUGGESTED TO ILLINOIS COMMUNITIES INCLUDING FORMING 911 COMMITTEES COMPOSED OF TELEPHONE COMPANY, FIRE, AND POLICE PERSONNEL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS; EVALUATING LOCAL CONDITIONS FOR FURTHER PLANNING, AND CHOOSING THE BEST 911 SYSTEM; DETERMINING HOW THE 911 SYSTEM WILL BE MANAGED; AND DRAWING UP A PLAN TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE ILLINOIS 911 COMMISSION. AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 1979, ABOUT 39 PERCENT OF ILLINOIS' CITIZENS HAD ACCESS TO A 911 EMERGENCY NUMBER THROUGH 40 DIFFERENT SYSTEMS. MOREOVER, TENTATIVE OR FINAL PLANS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSION FOR 15 MORE SYSTEMS, REPRESENTING 24 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION, AND PLANS FOR ANOTHER 53 SYSTEMS ARE NEAR COMPLETION. IT IS NOTED THAT FUNDING PROBLEMS ARE HOLDING UP FURTHER 911 PLANNING IN MANY COMMUNITIES. TABLES AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED.