Go to the Ill. DNR web site & go to publications-get the Ill. Lic/Game regulations booklet (free) & it has all the Public access areas-weapon allowed & acherage & other information needed. Also order the Trophy Deer Management pamphlet-Public access places where there are antler restrictions like 4 or 5 points 1 side to be legal-some you may have to take a Doe 1st b/4 being allowed a Buck or draw for a specific week ect... They are not all small areas either.
I now live in Iowa (right over the border from my Ill. home town). Lots of decent PUBLIC access in both states. Good Luck. Oh, I live right in some of the BEST deer hunting in these states & HAVE NOT killed a BUCK for 3 years-my choice-passed on many decent Bucks and on PUBLIC GROUND. My son with my 2nd largest Whitetail I ever took about 10 years ago from public ground.