I find the 396 performs better on MDICE than the Pro96. The Pro96 is chopping on MDICE but sounds fine on Starcom21. The 396 doesn't sound choppy although the audio on any P25 signal on the 396 doesn't sound as good as the P25 audio on the Pro96 when listening to non-simulcast sites (especially noticable when listening with an earphone and when the person is speaking softly). The 396 has a more pixely sound to it while the Pro96 has a more tinny cleaner sound (like the person is speaking into a tin can). I find the Pro96 almost completely unlistenable on MDICE so I use it for Starcom21, Pro96com or as a backup if I want to hold on a certain talkgroup and scan other talkgroups on the 396. Check out reviews of the new BCD396XT also.
I don't know how great the signal strength is in Tolono. I know in Rantoul, Fisher, and Penfield I have little to know signal on MDICE but had better results in the Ivesdale/Sadorus area. I use a 800 mhz stubby antenna so rural reception isn't too great but the antenna works great for inside Champaign-Urbana.
