The special report summarizes various sources of information regarding the need for and the supply of special education personnel in Illinois, and compares the various claims regarding the stated needs. Results of a survey by the Illinois Association for School, College, and University Staffing are reported indicating that 24% of Illinois school districts were unable to fill at least one position and that about half of the 345 unfilled positions were in special education. Results of other studies by the National Center for Educational Statistics and the Illinois Administrators of Special Education also indicated a need for more special education personnel in the areas of special education and related services. Noted in the summary are particular needs in the areas of speech and language impaired, physically handicapped, visually impaired, emotional and social disorders, and the severely/profoundly handicapped; also considered is the relatively high rate of turnover in special education. Tables provide statistical data from the three studies on the following: number of students completing preparation for standard teaching certificates for the first time in Illinois, trends in the number of graduates of Illinois institutions of higher education completing preparation for standard teaching certificates (1975-1982), Illinois downstate teacher turnover by type of teacher, a comparison of the number of special education teachers prepared during 1978-79 with the number of beginning teachers employed in Illinois public schools in 1979-80, the supply and demand for special education teachers (1975-80), teacher supply and demand as rated by placement directors from Illinois colleges and universities (1979-80), percentages of new Illinois teacher graduates who entered teaching (1967 through 1979), distribution of unfilled positions by subject area, and a statewide assessment of projected special education personnel needs (1980-83). (DB)