Homes for Rent in Union, IL

Union, Illinois, located 64 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, is a small, close-knit community surrounded by farmland and conservation areas. Known for its prominent water tower and the Illinois Railway Museum, Union offers a glimpse into mid-19th-century railway history. The area features ranch-style and Colonial revival homes, with larger properties and modern traditional homes found eastward near nature preserves. Local dining options include Checker’s II, serving American and European-inspired dishes, and Clasen’s Tavern, McHenry County’s oldest tavern. For groceries, Sullivan’s Foods is 2.5 miles west, and larger chains like Walmart are 10 miles east. Union is served by highly rated schools such as Locust Elementary School and Marengo Community High School. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy Veteran’s Park with its playground and picnic pavilion, or the Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, which offers over 2,000 acres of woodlands, trails, and a fishing pond. The Illinois Railway Museum, featuring North America's largest collection of railway equipment, is a major attraction. Golfers can head 8 miles to Crystal Woods Golf Club for two public courses. Main roads like U.S. Grant Memorial Highway and Illinois Route 176 provide easy access to the larger McHenry County area, with O’Hare International Airport 45 miles away and Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital 11 miles east.