Growing frustration with educational finance in Illinois prompted school districts to file, in 1990, a lawsuit that demands adequate funding, equitable distribution of funds, and increased economic efficiency in public education. This document includes a description of events leading up to the suit. Early attempts to improve educational equity were frustrated by subsequent "legislative adjustments" and the economic recession of the 1980s. Legislative and economic changes (largely involving land assessment and taxation) resulted in a two-tiered educational system: suburban "have" and rural "have-not" districts. The situation was worsened by the Educational Reform Act of 1985, pushing the financially-strapped school districts into a position they felt was intolerable. The suit brings the following charges against the state: (1) three violations of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; (2) a statutory scheme of school finance that imposes unconstitutional burdens on the plaintiffs; (3) discriminatory distribution of educational resources; (4) failure to provide certain children with adequate educational services; and (5) failure to provide an efficient system of high-quality education for every child in Illinois public schools. The complaint itself includes a brief introduction, general definitions and explanations, identification of plaintiffs and defendants, and statements of fact. (TES)