You live very close to me! We are probably about 20 minutes from you to the west
I'm glad you are feeling good about your decision this year. There are so many (short) road trip destinations to take from the Chicago area...we are originally from Michigan, so we go back there several times a year. I've driven back and forth with the kids by myself many times. Tons of great places for a weekend/manageable road trip with the kids. Or, as you know, going in the other direction to Wisconsin is always fun, too. We did a 4-day road trip going to the Jelly Belly warehouse and staying overnight nearby, then to Milwaukee where we did a root-beer brewery tour and went to the Safe House resturant (soooo fun!!!), then on to Great Wolf Lodge in the Dells for the next three days. That was such a fun trip - great memories and it was an easy drive from Chicago with kids.
Take care
