Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday joined with other state leaders mark the kickoff of Route 66’s centennial and announced $4 million in grants for numerous tourism bureaus to boost that effort.
The announcement was made in Granite City with officials from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission, reported KFVS-TV.
Grant recipients are:
- Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau: $513,378
- Discover Downstate Illinois: $18,600
- Chicago Convention and Tourism Board: $160,000
- Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau: $1,633,000
- Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau: $1,000,000
- Logan County Tourism Bureau: $465,695
- Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau: $200,000
The Route 66 Grant Program is also funding several projects:
- An Abraham Lincoln penny sculpture in Lincoln
- A 14-foot-tall Lincoln statue in Granite City
- The Giant Slide at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield will receive a fresh look
- The Old Joliet Prison will host a baseball game
Pritzker said the Illinois State Fair’s theme will be “Miles of Smiles” in honor of Route 66. The Du Quoin State Fair will also use the same theme.
“Throughout 2026, we’ll recognize 100 years of Route 66, a road that helped shape Illinois into what it is today. That’s why my administration is proud to provide attraction and site infrastructure along this iconic route and deliver millions in grant funding to local tourism bureaus,” Pritzker stated in a news release.
“I invite all Illinoisans to take part in the many celebrations throughout the year — it’s a chance to check out the beauty of a truly American road and soak in all that Route 66 and our state have to offer.”
Illinois Tourism has a dedicated webpage of attractions and events along Route 66.
(Image of a mural at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Illinois)