Isn't there anywhere closer that you could connect to than Chicago which leaves you a 5 hour drive
?? eg Indianapolis or Cincinnati.
Of the choices you have I'd take KLM, you've got just as much chance of seeing you luggage at the other end as you have with transiting Heathrow. I've flown KLM through AMS dozens and dozens of times and haven't lost a bag yet, but obviously I know people that have. I've also connected through Heathrow and have parted company with my bag on numerous occasions. The bag's always shown up later
, but I regularly came home, or arrived at my destination without it
.
I'd definitely look into shortening that drive though, surely there must be a closer airport than Chicago?