Erie
Michigan Lake! MICHIGAN LAKE!:)
Michigan is located between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, they both are in Michigan.
Since it sits on the shores of Lake Michigan it is safe to say that Lake Michigan is the closest body of water to Chicago.
Erie
lake michigan
Lake Michigan
Michigan and Wisconsin
Lake Michigan is about a 45 minute drive west of Kalamazoo.
Lake Huron to the northeast of Lake Orion, Michigan is roughly 44 miles away at Port Huron, Michigan. Lake Erie to the southeast of Lake Orion, Michigan is roughly 48 miles away at the southern tip of Grosse Isle.
Lake Michigan would be the closest great lake to Madison but Lake Superior also boarders Wisconsin.
The Atlantic Ocean is somewhat closer than the Pacific Ocean, but the body of water bordered by Chicago is Lake Michigan. Google just came out with this new thing called "Google Maps" in 2005. I bet Chicago is on there.
Lake Ontario is the closest. Then Lake Erie is the next closest.Toronto is just above Lake Ontario.Thanks to teach.GLIN.net for the graphics.