I realize this is an old thread, but I think you still have a few months before rush...
I pledged my GLO at U of I. I don't know all of the behind-the-scenes info because I was never a rho chi or anything, and I pledged several years ago, but I will say that my house took 2 juniors in my pledge class. The next year we took 2 more juniors because they were really great girls.
While U of I's recruitment was competitive, I think it isn't cut throat. (Or maybe it is and I was too naive to realize it
While many houses have good reputations, I think at U of I it was more important to be Greek than to be in a certain house.
Good luck!!