A little complex, but worth it
Or from the Chicago area you may take Interstate 80 westbound, passing Peru-LaSalle to U.S. Route 6, thence south to Illinois 29, then east and south past DePue and Bureau Junction to the intersection of Illinois Route 26. Follow Ill. 26 east-south to I-180 to cross the Illinois River, then rejoin Ill. 26 and follow the prettiest darn river road all the way to Peoria.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Columbus+St%2FIL-23%2FIllinois+Route+23&daddr=Kansas+St+to:IL-26+to:Unknown+road+to:IL-26%2FS+Prairie+St+to:IL-26%2FIllinois+Route+26+to:Peoria+il&hl=en&geocode=FXxLdwId1He0-g%3BFaAFdgIdIFes-g%
3BFZipdQId1Eis-g%3BFYKDdQIdnPOs-g%3BFRbucQIdNrqr-g%3BFazIbwIdoFWr-g%3B&mra=mr&via=4,5&rtol=0,1,2,3,4,5,6&dirflg=ht&sll=41.03267,-89.21568&sspn=1.183016,1.705627&ie=UTF8&ll=40.749338,-89.049683&spn=1.188076,1.705627&z=9 
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