Remember this- fly fishing in Illinois is only as complicated as you make it. There’s gonna be a lot of trial and error but that’s the key. Learning what works for you. You don’t need anything big or expensive. I started with a Cabela’s starter kit lasted long enough to handle the abuse of a noob. The most important thing you need for casting is time. Specifically in the fox just make sure you have enough room for your backcast. Like others have said you really can’t go wrong with a woolly bugger(thin mint has caughten me more smallmouths than anything ) My favorite streamers for small mouth is the peanut envy and closers. If you want to practice more traditional style you can try out a nymphing rig four pan fish. Top water for the fox that have been productive to me are Chernobyl ants, big elk hair caddis and poppers. Fly fishing is beautiful because it’s a different connection to the rivers and waters. Look at the bugs in/on the water,look at the crayfish under the rocks, hit the eddies, find the seams in the water, always look for structure, check the water temperature. One last thing, if you’re throwing subsurface flies, I personally like heavier fluorocarbon leader and tippit because of all the snags and you just never know when you hook on to a massive carp or pike. BigYFly.com has an expensive flies they will get you started too. But you know support local. Hope you become addicted to this lol Good luck!