It was only a couple of years ago that Illinois began the mandatory CLE program. 2006 or 07, I think. I’ve been an inactive Illinois attorney for at least a decade because I live in another state (where I am an active member of the bar). As a result, I pay “only” $105 each year to stay on the Illinois rolls and I am exempt from the CLE requirements.
BTW, I passed the Illinois bar the first time I took it. :)