It looks like a young Red-Tailed Hawk to me. Without looking it up, I don't know if they were common to Illinois back then. My best friend growing up in the 70's had a stuffed one his grandmother shot while "protecting her chickens." She might very well have complained about all the rats, snakes, and gophers terrorizing their homestead too.
Lou M.

If it weren't for the wonder of electricity, you'd be reading this post by candle light!