Illinois § 5

§ 5.

Purpose. Route 66 is one of the original highways within the National Highway System. The importance of Route 66 is rooted within its cultural and historical impact beginning with its numerical designation in 1926 to its upcoming centennial in 2026. From the outset, public road planners intended for the highway to connect the main streets of rural and urban communities so that small towns could have access to a major national thoroughfare. Illinois has had a major impact on Route 66 as home to the start of the road in Chicago and the first state to have the road paved across the entire State. Route 66 in Illinois runs almost 300 miles through numerous towns, eventually reaching Missouri before continuing its way to Santa Monica, California. Since 1989, the Route 66 Association of Illinois has been working to preserve and promote the highway in Illinois through methods such as establishing the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum. In 2005, the Illinois stretch of Route 66 received recognition as a National Scenic Byway. The National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program has awarded more than 23 cost-share grants to assist properties in Illinois. 2026 will mark the centennial of the creation of Route 66. The centennial is an opportunity to promote the preservation and commemoration of Route 66 including, but not limited to, existing roadways, buildings, and attractions along the route. The centennial is also an opportunity to celebrate the important history of Route 66 in Illinois through commemorative, educational, and community events. The centennial celebration may include events about the history of how local communities grew and changed with the construction of Route 66, the cultural impact of Route 66 within the United States and internationally, the portrayal of Route 66 in music, artwork, and folklore, and how to maintain the mystique and appeal of Route 66 for future generations. (Source: P.A. 100-649, eff. 1-1-19.)