If it were me hunting IA w/ the new regs [which it's not... our farm is 7 miles on the E side of the river... where I have no hope of IL ever making better decisions on firearms]... and if I had a good spot to actually see and shoot big bucks at long range. I would go with a 2 gun solution. A short, handy bolt or pump in 358Rem or 35 Whelen and then build a heavy custom 375 or 40cal w/ a break and a scope that can take the abuse. Run custom bullets if needed.
For a one gun solution, mid weight 9.3x62 w/ Accubonds and a compact Nightforce should get you to 600y w/ enough practice and still be handy for anything closer.
A pair of solid thoughts there too.
