To answer your question Dr. Bob...
We have 19 cars registered to date.... I have a couple people who won't be joining us for other obligations (wedding, family issues, wrecked car, etc.)... So we may be down in numbers this year.... but we will still have a great time....
As for traveling through Chicago.... We too have made it from Indiana to Rockford in less than 2 hours.... BUT, it has also taken almost 6 hours before.... You got to love Chicago traffic! You never know what you are going to run into....
We take our Church Group for summer camp into Wisconsin (north of Janesville WI) each year... and have ran into traffic on Sunday morning going through Chicago...YES, Sunday... so this year Rick is planning on going through Streator over to I39 and up.... yes, it is more miles...but will probably be less time... I know we took our Capri convoy up I39 into Rockford for the 6th capri gathering (the last time up that way)... and it took us a little over 3 hours.... but we took our time and enjoyed the ride... (less stress).
It was very enjoyable....