Meh...
When I went to college there (for more years than a Bachelor's degree really should take), I rarely drove anywhere, especially in the winter.
Cars at U of I are just one more thing to cost you money. If you're not spending money on a crazy expensive parking permit, you're paying through the nose for parking tickets. Once you're on campus, you're not able to drive anyway - it's all walkway system for pedestrians and bicycles only.