compete with kids who leave the state for Iowa/Iowa State/Wisconsin/etc.

Basically, needs to provide good academics, the "collegiate trappings" (idea to be semi-serious about sports) and not be underbid by those other schools.

I've long thought ISU was a good choice for that, but I've swung the other way in the last few months because I think that competes too much with UIUC for future downstate fans... so it's NIU or UIC