chicago
I played Majestic Star in Gary and Hollywood in Aurora a few weeks ago. Majestic Star is very good game until you get booted. High limit is 6d S17 surrender and about 5.5 out of 6.0 decks dealt out. if you are close, you should play there. If you play there multiple, long sessions and do not get booted, something is probably wrong with your game.
Hollywood Aurora High limit was ok- 6d S17 no surrender but good with about 4.8 to 5.0 decks dealt out. High limit is $50 min. All sets were full in main pit when I visited.
I have played as an AP for about 20 years always with a decent paying full-time job. I think it would be extremely difficult (at least for me) to make anywhere close to what I make from a regular job playing bj (after expenses).
I flew to chicago (airfare + several hours), rental car, about an hour drive + annoying tolls to majestic star, and was backed off in first 10 minutes (I had played there before using an aggressive spread so I suspected I might be on the black list). This was part of a business trip for me, so no great loss, but these type trips would disastrous both in time and money if I was trying to make a living from bj.