I'm moving downstate to attend nursing school in August. I'm looking for a place either in Champaign or in Danville. I've never been in the area before. Are the local roads conducive to bicycle commuting? My main cycling route would be between these 2 cities.

Illinois?

I lived in Champaign until 5 years ago and worked often in St. Joe. At that time highway 49 was a 2 lane blacktop with little or no shoulder, but because it parallels the freeway the traffic is pretty light. With good lights I would ride that road any time of the day or night. I found Danville pretty depressing socially. It's an old manufacturing town and was run down even before the crash. If I were in your shoes I would be looking to live in C-U, and if I needed very low rent I'd be looking at Rantoul.