I live in Illinois, and I have always loved riding motorcycles, but now I think its time to step up my game and learn to ride my own.. the problem is, I don't know where to start?

Here in Virginia the local community colleges have a rider training program over the course of a weekend. Illinois looks to have something similar (http://www.dot.state.il.us/cycle.pdf).

You will definitely want to take a MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course. They have several in Illinois. Check out Motorcycle Safety Foundation (http://www.msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm?spl=1&action=display_all&content=0DDA24DA-A0CC-53D5-64B11842065D9F5E&pagename=RiderCourse%20Info) and scroll down to your state.