Even if they aren't suggested or necessary, they definitely can't hurt.
Recs aren't so big in the mid-Illini area (UofI, ISU, EIU, WIU), but in this case, I would err on the side of caution and get them. If nothing else, it could give you an extra boost.
ETA: Paging DeltaBetaBaby and UofISigKap, if you're still around.