The education and training of persons working in the field of aging is of vital importance to improving the quality of services available to older persons. A statewide training needs assessment was conducted in Illinois to set priorities for the funding of state educational programs and to improve the linkage between providers of aging services and institutions of higher education. A training needs assessment instrument covering 76 tasks and competencies was completed by Directors of Aging Services, Area Agency staff, and State Office staff (N=280). Results showed that the greatest need for education for all respondents was in understanding federal, state and local laws and eligibility requirements pertaining to older persons. Directors of Services reported a need for training in supervision and administration and in grant writing and fiscal procedures. The primary training needs of Area Agency staff were in programming and program evaluation, while State Office staff reported a need for training in procedures for information management and dissemination. These differences in training needs among the three groups demonstrate a need for establishing distinct sets of training priorities. (Author/NRB)