@Barbara Hlavaty I think first of all, you have to figure out for yourself whether you want to be active with this next investment or passive?!

For example, while you could use such accounts to purchase real estate, you could not transfer any real estate that is owned by yourself, spouse, parents, children into the tax-advantaged account.There are also some instances in which such accounts can be taxed, such as when investing in an active business or when using leverage.For a list of companies compiled by BiggerPockets, see: Self-Directed CompaniesFor more compliance and strategy, see: The Self-Directed Investor  

Especially interested in connecting with anyone in the Chicago Western Suburbs who is active in local real estate clubs/meet-ups. 

Getting active in your local REIA, hanging out with similar like-minded investors and building relationships are key. 

I’m so happy to see activity from this area!

I'm sure @KimLisa Taylor and @Jillian Sidoti will be able to help you out or point you in the right direction since they are very active bloggers and forum commenters in that space.

On one side I am an active real estate investor with experience and (knock-on-wood) some nice properties. 

It's hard enough as it is to put larger deals and capital together let alone limiting that to the same 10 near-equal partners...and at any level of scale or over extended time periods.I know sponsors who work with small investor databases but it's still clearly a syndication with active and passive roles and equity splits that vary from capital contributions.

In April 2018, I read Rich Dad Poor Dad after running the numbers and realizing we would never reach financial independence with our current rate of active income.

Here're a few investments suggestions for you to consider.1) stock market - if you're not too familiar, invest in Index Funds2) become a lender - depending on the size of your investment, the rates will vary 3)  invest in syndications - you keep mentioning turn-key (you pay a lot of overhead for these). so I figured syndications maybe an option for you to invest some money passively. if you want to be active, learn it and then partner up with someone experienced to do it yourself.