Although Chicago land proper is not RV friendly, but the burbs and other counties are, thought I'd share some pics of my day trips this vacation week.
Chicago Botanic Garden: http://irishiroamiwrite.blogspot.com/2014/05/chicago-botanic-garden.html
Severnson Dells Nature Center (Rockford): http://irishiroamiwrite.blogspot.com/2014/05/two-fer-tuesday-in-rockford-il-first.html
Anderson Japanese Garden (Rockford): http://irishiroamiwrite.blogspot.com/2014/05/two-fer-tuesday-in-rockford-il-second.html
White Pines Forest SP (Mt Morris) & Mississippi Palisades SP (Savanna): http://irishiroamiwrite.blogspot.com/2014/05/country-roads-cows-and-currents.html
Wandell Sculpture Garden (Urbana): http://irishiroamiwrite.blogspot.com/2014/05/wandell-sculpture-garden-urbana-il.html
Grosse Point Lighthouse (Evanston): http://irishiroamiwrite.blogspot.com/2014/05/grosse-point-lighthouse.html
Peck Farm Butterflies (Geneva): http://irishiroamiwrite.blogspot.com/2014/05/butterflies-flutter-by-geneva-il.html
Apologies to Kathleen - I decided to run down to Urbana at the last minute. You didn't miss much at the sculpture garden. A 2 hour drive wasn't worth the 1/2 visit, but if you're ever towards Urbana, you could trike it in about the same time we did the trail at your house.