Illinois 2 follows the Rock River from South Beloit to Sterling. It offers a beautiful view of that river from Rockford south.
Intersections from north to south:
IL2 begins at the Wisconsin border in the Beloit area
IL75 joins Illinois 2 about .3 miles south of the Wisconsin border
The 2 routes part at Rockton
IL2 runs into Business US20 in downtown Rockford
US20 on the south side of Rockford, where it is an interstate-standard highway
IL2 hugs the northwest bank of the Rock River until Byron, where IL72 meets from the east
Then IL72 breaks off and heads west
Even past Byron IL2 continues hugging the shore. IL64 meets IL2 next, at Oregon
IL2 joins US52/IL26 north across the river in downtown Dixon
Then it breaks off to head in a westerly direction
IL2 then ends at IL40 in downtown Sterling.
It passes through these towns: South Beloit, Rockton, Rockford, Byron, Oregon, Grand Detour, Dixon, Sterling.
Notable places: From Rockton on to Latham Road (about another 7 miles) Illinois 2 comes within 2 miles of 3 different forest preserves. IL2 then enters Rockford, passing the Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum. IL2 cuts right through Castle Rock State Park between Oregon and Grand Detour, which is where John Deere, a name even cityfolk can recall, grew up. There is a historic site in honor of him in his hometown.
When trying to get to Wisconsin to Rockford, it is much faster than IL251, on the other side of the Rock River. IL251 is on the east side of the river, as are the Rockford suburbs, Loves Park and Machesney Park. IL2 passes through farmland instead. You can do the math.
