An analysis is provided of minority student participation in educational programs offered by the Illinois system of public community colleges. Section I describes the report's purpose, scope, and organization, and sets the discussion of minority students' higher education participation in the context of state and national trends and expressions of concern. Next, section II presents and analyzes Illinois community college enrollment and completion patterns by racial/ethnic categories, by individual college, and by program areas. In addition, this section compares district enrollment patterns with 1980 census data. The climate for the education of minority students is examined in section III, which includes data showing the racial/ethnic characteristics of teaching faculty and administrative and professional staff, and offers an analysis of the methods colleges use to recruit and retain minority group students. The final section presents conclusions and future directions to be taken by individual community colleges and the Illinois Community College Board. (LAL)