<p>I assume UIUC is in state, so numerical safety.
All others require/“recommend” recommendations.</p>
<p>@OP:
Another way to make sure not all recommendations are generic: make a bullet point list of your achievements or whatever matters about your “career” as a HS student, and give it to your HS counselor so s/he can pick a few for his/her recommendation instead of having to dig through your file. At this time of year, counselors are super stressed out so anything to help them will be okay.</p>