Any Good Apple Picking Areas in Illinois

We LOVE Apples on Oak. The address is Joliet but that's unincorporated, it is basically in Lockport. It is a small family owned and run. No cost to go in the orchard. There are 2 very friendly dogs that trot around and greet everyone. It kind of reminds me of what you would expect your grandma's apple orchard to be...the grass is long here and there-- it doesn't have that commercial feel of most places...there's no wagon rides or petting zoo or anything like that--it's just plain old fashioned apple picking. The varieties are not common ones so that's nice. It is open on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Our girls love it and beg to go. I took my Brownie Scouts last year and the girls had a ball. You didn't mention exactly where you are--but it is on Oak Avenue which is off Gouger just south of Highway 6. Here's the web site. http://peceniak.tripod.com/
Try it--I bet yor kids will love it.

My brother was telling me today about one in Homer Glen, and I just found this page with a list of a few.
http://www.americantowns.com/il/homerglen/news/apple-pick...

You can try Kuiper's. It is out in the Elburn/Maple Grove area. I have not picked any apples there, but my friend has gone several times to pick apples and has loved it... you can google them

I know you say "Illinois" but if you hop on I-80 East to St. Joseph, MI (1 hour 40 minutes) or Saugatuck/Douglas/Fennville, MI area or South Haven, MI (about 2 hours), I was just out in the St. Joe's area this week (I live in your area; my kids and I squeezed in one more day of beach-time before school started!) Aside from the few areas of shoulder work, it was a lovely drive! You can pick apples (peaches, plums, raspberries and blueberries when in season, too), find pumpkin patches, go to the beach and look for shells, contact Fennville (MI) Winery and find out about their hayride tours through the vineyards (they serve sparkling grape and offer a variety of cheeses and deli stuff too!) Hit Crane Orchards (Fennville) and eat pie - the best pumpkin pie I have ever had in my life and they have great Apple cider! It's a wonderful day trip and even better overnight trip. Hope this helps!

We are going to Jonamac Orchard near DeKalb, IL. www.jonamacorchard.com
Distant relatives of mine own and operate it, but we truly feel they do a nice job. They have a huge corn maze that would keep the little ones busy!!