I've been accepted as an OOS student as well. Like you, I am hoping for a little mercy as well (especially since I have 3 dependents). The cost of attendance is one of the major reasons I didn't even consider the Chicago campus, because I know that monthly rent would be about $1K more a month for me than the other campuses on top of the ridiculous tuition. I try to keep the OOS tuition in perspective. What's another $150K on top of an already gargantuan amount of money...
After reviewing the requirements for in-state tuition I found an interesting loophole: Staff members of the University and of allied agencies, and faculties of state-assisted Illinois universities, holding an appointment of at least one-quarter time, and their spouses and dependent children, shall be treated as residents. So it sounds like if you or your spouse get a job at the university while you're in school, you can get IS tuition. Not sure if that helps anyone...
Thanks Ahutni for the link to that housing site. That looks like a great resource. Also thanks Snoopy for posting this years match lists for Rockford and Peoria.