What is the most efficient way to bypass Chicago?

I'm in Milwaukee and Chicago traffic is often an obstacle.
Plan A- Leave early on a weekend only, hitting Chicago about 6a.m. There's traffic, but not too bad.
Plan B- I-43 out of Milwaukee to I-39 south.
Plan C- Lake Express ferry from Milwaukee to Muskegon. Expensive, but sometimes they have good deals on round trips. There's also the slower but cheaper Badger ferry out of Manitowoc, WI. We've done the Milwaukee ferry twice, car only.
JK