ESRC flies on the SIUE campus property. It is a private club that leases the site from the university. annual dues are $45 for adults. discounts for full time students.
There is also a site in Columbia IL, but I do not have details on that one. Also on Roxana near hiway 111 and 255.
Post a new question in the electric plane forum asking for advice on a good electric trainer. maybe there is one that will fit your needs.
If you are getting good on the simulator, this will help a lot when you go to the real thing. Even the glow powered trainers are fully aerobatic (loops, rools, stall turns, etc.) so they can be a lot of fun. Many electric planes will not perform as well as a glow-powered plane (this is my bias coming out again).