Illinois River Ottawa VS Morris pool
 

What restaurants are in each of them? The pros and cons of both of them? What about no wake zones? Good place to launch a 25' boat at preferably a marina?

Can't tell you a whole lot about the morris pool but you can launch at starved rock marina in the Ottawa, answer as far as eating there's the place there, heritage harbor, the place on the north side of the islands or park at the city docks and walk a block or two to the main drag. Downside, pretty much nobody still boating and its only 7 miles i believe lock to lock

I have not done Ottawa but I have recently spent some time in the Morris pool. I like it a lot compared to the Wilmington/chanahon pool. Way more room to run. There is Baja beach that people pull up to and hang out and a few other sand bars that I have seen people pulled up and grilling on. There is the Boondocks in Senica and Snug Harbor in Marsallies. I think spring brook still serves food. As far as launching I use the public launch in Morris and have use the state park launch in Senica .... Both very nice set ups.

Ottowa. Launch at Allen park rt23 over the river on the west side. No over night parking though. Morris pool has too many morons and only want to go fast and dont know how to dock, or retrieve boat and trailer.

the launch in morris is a mess if there is any current.

yep the launch its self is nice but their is a stront current their,,you come in sideways on to the trailer and its always a b itch to get your boat on the trailer straight..

Especially with a long boat.

You might get a glimpse of Running Hot Racing 163.2