I'll definitely try to attend an event if another one pops up. Im from the Bolingbrook/Joliet area but the army took me away from Illinois for 5 years. I recently moved back and am in the Dekalb area. Im definitely interested in checking out an event or at least meeting some of the people from the forums.
They definitely happen more than once a year. Probably every like 3 to 6 months. I think maybe there is some confusion about when they are held. Information can be found on Fetlife in the CTA group or in the gatherings section on here.