In chicago they have, "Scooter School" which you can register on line and take for about $250.00.
http://www.motorcyclelearning.com/ss.asp Expensive, but they also set up for you to take the test for a class M license through the school. This is an extra fee of $50.00. The school is only 1 afternoon and it is really relaxed and easy after taking the DOT Motorcycle course through the state. (That was a bit like washing out of the Marines!)
However in Illinois, if you go down to the DMV, and tell them you are interested in getting a permit for riding a motorcycle, they should give you a small 40 page booklet for you to study. This is a great booklet and full of all the info you will need for both the permit test and the actual driving test as well.
After reading and studying the booklet, you go back to the DMV and take a 15 question permit test and upon passing you receive a permit for you to ride your scooter in the company of a Class M license holder.
Well this is not always going to happen so I suggest practicing on side streets and school or church parking lots. Practice the simple courses as drawn in the booklet you received from the DMV and you should be able to go down and take the riders test after you have put over 100 miles on your scooter.
You may think 100 miles is a lot, but if you are practicing every night after work in a parking lot, you can get over 100 miles in at least 2 weeks. Work on your right and left turns and quick stops. FOCUS! Remember your scooter will go where ever you are looking!
By the time I went in for my riding test, I had over 125 miles on my scooter. I had to have a friend with an M class license ride the scooter over to the DMV for me. (I go by the rules and that is the way I do it). Anyway, I passed the riding test super easy after all that practice. It was a snap and I got my license and rode my scooter home! It was totally awesome and one of the best days of my life!
Now I have returned the favor for others. I have ridden with permit holders and taken my scooter to the DMV for my friends to ride and get their class M/s. It has worked out pretty good and most of them are now out looking for scooters of their own, but they are able to actual ride some models because they have the class M.
So go through the process and within a month or two you will have your license and you will have learned and acquired it the right way. That is not to say that once you have a license you know it all. Take your time when you go out and don't push your luck. You have to learn how to ride in traffic all over again! But it will be the best time.
Have fun and be safe!
-Belkwinith