Today, when the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a bill to set up a federal-level 100th anniversary commission for Route 66, two Midwestern states also are poised to set up their commissions to mark the road’s centennial in 2026.
Missouri’s governor signed such a bill into law this year, and Illinois’ governor soon will act on it.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Under legislation signed by then-Gov. Eric Greitens, Missouri is set to form an 18-member commission to plan and sponsor a centennial observance in 2026 for the Mother Road, which stretches 2,400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. […]
Under terms of the law sponsored by Missouri Rep. Lyndall Fraker, R-Marshfield, the commission will plan and sponsor official Route 66 centennial events and activities, encourage the development of programs to involve residents in activities that commemorate Route 66 centennial events and make information available to the public about Route 66 events.
New Gov. Mike Parson has not selected members for the panel. […]
In Illinois, Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, sponsored a similar proposal that now awaits the signature of Gov. Bruce Rauner. There, Route 66 roughly followed the route that is now Interstate 55.
The Illinois bill states a Route 66 commission “shall plan and sponsor Route 66 centennial events, programs, and activities and shall encourage the development of programs to involve all citizens in Route 66 centennial events. Requires the Commission to deliver a final report of its activities to the Governor no later than June 30, 2027.”
The Illinois measure was sent to the governor in June, where it awaits his signature.
In Washington, the U.S. House is set to vote today on H.R. 66, the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) co-sponsored the bill.
Davis’ measure aims to create a 19-member commission to recommend activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, directs the commission to host a conference on the U.S. Numbered Highway System, marking its 100-year anniversary, and directs the Department of Transportation, in consultation with governors of the eight states through which 66 passes, to develop a plan on the preservation needs of Route 66.
Bill Thomas of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, who said the group is supportive of the bills, also stated it is “working to ensure each of the eight states through which Route 66 runs passes similar legislation.”
Route 66 Road Ahead also is shepherding a bill, now in the U.S. Senate, to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail.
(Image of a Route 66 sign in Chicago near the road’s eastern terminus by Mobilus on Mobili via Flickr)
Good to see this enthusiasm from our legislators, especially in Illinois. Kudos to Rep. Tim Butler from my old home town.