I can appreciate avoiding any parts of Chicago for your drive you may want to try this route that works for me. I-57 to I-72 to I-55, then you can hit the great spots in Springfield and still avoid Chicago. There is a fabulous chicken joint in Champaign/Urbana. Apple Dumplings, they specialty of the house is great fried chicken! and the apple dumplings are wonderful. You can call for hours of operation as they can be odd.

Apple Dumpling
(217) 344-0076
2014 High Cross Rd
Urbana, IL 61802

Also a great drive thru is

Niro’s Gyro’s
1007 W University Ave
Urbana, IL
Phone: (217) 328-6476
They have fantastic beef sandwiches, Philly steaks and Gyros!

If you are looking for Pizza by far the best spot in town is,

Papa Del’s Pizza
206 E Green St
Champaign, IL 61820
217-359-7700

All of these locations are not far off of I57 or I72. Good luck and Good eatin! If you try any of them let me know how you much you liked it 🙂

If you stop in Springfield the best of the best are:

Darcy’s Pint (for Springfield’s own Horseshoe sandwich OMG YUMMY!)
661 E Stanford Ave
Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 492-8800

Again the Cozy Dog drive in is a must historic route 66 and the creator of the corn dog! They have limited hours of operation so call ahead to make sure they will be open.

Cozy Dog Drive in
2935 S 6th St
Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 525-1992
http://www.cozydogdrivein.com

Maid-Rite has a loose meat sandwich that is fabulous they invented it as well and have been in the same location since 1926 they have homemade rootbeer as well! They have very limited hours of operation so call ahead to make sure they are open but well worth a stop!

Maid-Rite
118 N Pasfield St
Springfield, IL 62702
(217) 523-0723