This report presents a strategic plan for recruiting, preparing, retaining, and supporting a high-quality education workforce in Illinois. During 2001, six statewide public meetings entitled "Investing in Teaching" gathered public comment and recommendations from parents, teachers, administrators, higher education faculty, legislators, and business and community representatives. Recommendations from these forums informed the contents of this report. The report provides background information and data delineating problems Illinois is facing regarding its supply and quality of educators. It recommends legislative and policy actions regarding: educator recruitment (e.g., new incentives, especially for positions in hard-to-staff schools, a state educator pool, and improved working conditions); educator preparation (e.g., closing certification loopholes, expanding access to flexible regular and alternative preparation routes, and offering dual career tracks for educator advancement); teacher retention (e.g., induction and mentoring programs, support networks, and retirees returning to the workforce without financial penalties); and continuing professional development (e.g., online and other flexible options, reduced paperwork, and strengthened approval requirements for providers). (SM)