Sure looks like the Big Buzz would be a nice bike for the semi flatlands of Northern Illinois.

I rarely get into the little ring on my triple, and the cassette has a really wide spread.....

Sounds like a nice bike for the money, especially if it is in really nice shape. at $300, it would be quite a bit less than 1/2 price, almost 1/3. I'd consider it a good buy, if it fits. SRAM, and disc brakes, makes it even nicer.

It gets pretty nice reviews, including 2 from San Francisco (doesn't get much hillier that there) - surprisingly, one good, one negative. Personally, the 36-34 combo should be some pretty easy pedalling, and the 50-11 is faster than I can pedal on 700X32 tires..... It also appears that there is quite a bit of room for even bigger tires if you want.

Should be a pretty nice commuter, city street, MUP, and general utility bike, that can still go fast.