Chicago is the best city in IL, and definitely the capital of the Midwest. You can drive 100 miles an hour on the interstates and no one cares! Certainly not the cops, if you drive 55 they will pass you going 90. The rest of IL, while nothing special is also not terrible. Peoria and Rockford have their charm for a visit, think of the movie "A League of Their Own". While not a place for me to live, you may like it if you are into small town atmosphere.