Wait a tick. Maryland and Virginia are southern states, not East Coast.
Yes, Illinois sucks (El Tejon, inmate, Chicago, '92-'95), but shortly it will not suck as badly after the 7th Circuit gets done with it.
![grin =D](http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
State Parks? May want to check out the Indiana Dunes. Not sure what you want to do, but the Dunes are always relaxing. If you sail, may want to rent a sail boat out of Beverly Shores or Town of Pines. I enjoyed learning to sail up there as a kid.
Indiana Dunes=>
http://www.friendsofindianadunes.org/