The centennial celebration for Route 66 just got even greater.
Just shy of three weeks after announcing a full slate of activities to commemorate the centennial of Historic Route 66, VisitBN (Bloomington-Normal and McLean County’s destination marketing organization) has received a grant for over half a million dollars from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).
“The grant funds received were a part of a competitive grant offered through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity,” Melissa Chrisman, VisitBN President and CEO, said. “There have been several previous rounds of funding in which VisitBN has been a recipient, but this is the largest amount of funding we have received as part of the funding.”
The $513,378 grant will be used to further enhance Route 66 attractions and visitor experiences throughout McLean County as VisitBN gears up toward the 100th anniversary of The Mother Road.
In Downtown Bloomington, the Cruisin’ with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center on the first floor of the McLean County Museum of History will receive new dynamic displays to highlight
President Abraham Lincoln’s career and how it inspired progress through travel, establishing a footprint for Route 66.
Another project Bloomingtonites may find exciting is the revitalization of sections of the Constitution Trail. The trail—which follows much of the old Illinois Central Gulf Railroad—spans 45 miles from Chenoa to McLean, with the biking and walking trail following the historic highway. The trail will add additional tourism locations, and the grant will be for other historic-educational purposes.
Other projects include murals for the cities of Normal and Chenoa, a monument to be added to Boyd Wesley Park in the Village of Towanda, and the restoration and mural decoration of the historic McLean water tower.
“This Centennial Grant is a game changer for McLean County,” Chrisman said in VisitBN’s Feb. 9 press release. “With support from DCEO and our community partners, we are elevating Route 66 experiences for locals and travelers alike. The timing could not be better as global attention shifts to Illinois ahead of the 2026 celebration.”
VisitBN estimates that millions of visitors from around the world will travel across Route 66 to celebrate the historic highway. For more information about the various activities planned for the Route 66 centennial, see “The Argus”’s story on the matter from the Jan. 25, 2026 issue.
