Illinois invests $4M in Route 66 grants; centennial aims to accelerate tourism economy

 

By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE
Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal
[email protected]

Illinois is marking the 100th anniversary of Route 66 with a yearlong slate of celebrations, infrastructure investments and tourism-driven economic development initiatives aimed at boosting local economies along the historic highway, state and local leaders said during a ceremonial kickoff in Granite City on Monday.

Gov. JB Pritzker made a second stop in the Metro East on the afternoon on Feb. 9, 2026, joining state agency leaders, tourism officials and local elected officials at the It’s Electric Neon Sign Park, the Route 66-themed attraction in Granite City, to launch the centennial year for the “Mother Road,” which was established in 1926 and begins in Chicago before running southwest through Illinois and seven other states to California.

Also on hand was Brian Barone, head coach of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville men’s basketball team, accompanied by SIUE cheer and dance team members. The SIUE Cougars will mark the historic centennial by adopting the moniker of the 66ers throughout the year, as previously announced.

“Throughout 2026, we’ll recognize 100 years of Route 66, a road that helped shape Illinois into what it is today,” Pritzker said. He said the state has prioritized investments in attraction development, site infrastructure and marketing to ensure communities along the route are positioned to benefit from increased visitor traffic.

Tourism officials say the centennial arrives as Illinois’ visitor economy continues to grow. The state recorded its highest-ever hotel tax revenues in fiscal year 2025 at $367 million, a 14 percent increase from the previous year. Illinois also welcomed 113 million visitors in 2024, who spent a record $48.5 billion statewide, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

State leaders framed Route 66 as a key driver of that growth, particularly for small and mid-sized communities that rely on tourism dollars to support local businesses, hospitality jobs and downtown redevelopment.

DCEO is awarding nearly $4 million in grant funding to local tourism bureaus to support Route 66-related development, preservation, education and promotional efforts tied to the centennial:

 

Since 2021, the state’s Office of Tourism has invested $19 million in Route 66 projects, funding new attractions, restoring historic sites and creating placemaking projects designed to encourage travelers to stop, stay and spend money in Illinois communities, officials said.

Granite City is among the communities benefiting from that investment. A new 14-foot-tall statue of Abraham Lincoln is planned as a signature Route 66 attraction, adding to the city’s growing portfolio of roadside art and neon installations intended to draw visitors off the highway and into the local economy.

Other major Route 66 projects planned or underway across Illinois include a large penny sculpture in Lincoln, a refreshed Giant Slide at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, and the transformation of part of the Old Joliet Prison grounds into a baseball field and event space, highlighting the site’s role in the early history of organized baseball.

Cory Jobe, president and CEO of the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau and chair of the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission, said the centennial effort reflects years of coordination among state agencies, destination marketing organizations, local governments and private partners.

“Since 2022, Illinois has really set the tone nationwide for creating new roadside experiences and restoring historic sites along Route 66,” Jobe said. He announced an additional $1 million state grant to support centennial events scheduled throughout 2026, including festivals, film screenings, car shows and multi-community celebrations spanning the length of the Illinois route.

“The Centennial of Route 66 reminds us that America’s most iconic road was built mile by mile, town by town, and community by community. Its storied past inspires our shared future — a century behind us, a lifetime of journeys ahead — that’s the promise Route 66 has in Illinois,” said Jobe further.

Among planned events are the National Route 66 Centennial Kickoff in Joliet, the Red Carpet Corridor Festival connecting communities from Joliet to Bloomington-Normal, the International Route 66 Mother Road Festival in Springfield and the “Last 100 Miles” festival hosted by the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau in southwestern Illinois. Several cities will also host large-scale Route 66-themed drone shows later in the year.

State officials said the centennial celebrations are designed not only as commemorative events but as economic development tools that can generate sustained benefits for communities long after 2026. Tourism spending supports jobs in lodging, food service, retail, transportation and entertainment, and often spurs private investment in downtown buildings and small businesses, they said.

 

 

During a question-and-answer session following the Granite City Route 66 Centennial celebration launch, Pritzker said Illinois is continuing to expand its investments in tourism even as international travel to the United States has softened. He said the state remains well-positioned to attract domestic travelers, particularly given its central location and historic assets like Route 66.

“We get people from around the country coming to Illinois to spend their dollars here, and that’s good for the people of Illinois and good for our businesses,” Pritzker said. He added that investments along Route 66 have already made the corridor more attractive and accessible for travelers, with additional upgrades expected throughout the centennial year.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture also plans to tie the centennial into one of the state’s largest annual tourism draws. The 2026 Illinois State Fair will carry the theme “Miles of Smiles,” highlighting Route 66’s legacy through exhibits, programming and partnerships with the Office of Tourism. The theme will be featured at both the Springfield and Du Quoin fairs.

Local leaders said the centennial offers an opportunity to reinforce regional identity and highlight the Metro East’s role in the Route 66 story. Tourism officials expect the combination of statewide marketing, new attractions and coordinated events to drive increased traffic along the route throughout 2026 and beyond, strengthening local economies while preserving one of Illinois’ most recognizable historic assets.

“For 100 years, Route 66 has connected the Midwest to the West, encouraging tourism, trade, and opportunity. It connects our community from the Metro East all the way to California,” said State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea). “I’m looking forward to celebrating the grandeur and nostalgia of Route 66 this year and seeing and the importance this route played in the America experience.”

“Route 66 is a quintessential part of American history, and it started right here in Illinois,” said State Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville). “I’m excited to celebrate this scenic drive that showcases the best of our state in our cities, small towns, prairies, and everywhere in between. I welcome everyone from around the globe to come see all we have to offer.”

“As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, celebrating 100 years of Route 66 is especially meaningful for the 56th District,” State Senator Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon) also shared. “This stretch of the Mother Road has welcomed travelers from around the world for generations, supporting local tourism and small businesses. For a century, Route 66 has connected communities, told the story of our region, and inspired travelers to explore the people and places that make the 56th District truly unique.”

Learn more about the Route 66 Centennial and local events by visiting enjoyillinois.com/things-to-do/route-66-in-illinois.