Results reveal that achieving accreditation will not require major ongoing expenditures of departmental resources. In fact, the department should be able to achieve accreditation by late 1985 or early 1986. However, numerous reasons exist for the department to enter the formal accreditation process at the earliest possible date. The department could receive an early determination as to the applicability and the interpretation of numerous standards and continue its leadership role among State agencies. The accreditation process will benefit the department through unifying departmental policies and procedures; improving employee morale; enhancing agency credibility; providing a rationale for personnel, salary, and equipment increases and improvement; and enhancing the department's image to State officials, local law enforcement agencies, and citizens. The Task Force on Accreditation of the Illinois Department of Law Enforcement should be expanded to include coordination of the accreditation project and oversight of policy development and revision. Finally, data systems established for the initial project phase should be expanded. Six references, 1 figure, and 48 tables are included. A list of the benefits of accreditation is appended.