Look into Illinois Beach State Park up by Waukegan. We didnt camp there as the campground was closed due to flooding, two years ago, but the campground looked REALLY nice. So was the day use areas along the beaches of Lake M. Our plan was to stay up there and use public transportation into Chicago each day and hit the museums and the great restaurants. We were forced to stay in a hotel for the five days we were there but IBSP could work. Public transportation in Chicago is great; no need to drive.