through Chicago or circumvent?

Since they shut down the proposed Illiana Expressway, there is no Interstate south of 80 until you get to 74. That's a LONG way out of your way just to avoid Chicago. Surface roads are not really a viable alternative due to the population density (read as stop lights and traffic) along the northern Illinois/Indianan border. There are some decent back roads, but you probably need to live around here to figure them out. They won't save you any time, but will avoid a lot of aggravation.