Illinois Leaders Back Bill to Make Route 66 a National Historic Trail

WASHINGTON DC — Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood and Senator Tammy Duckworth joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in reintroducing legislation to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. The measure would protect the historic highway, which begins in Chicago and runs through several Illinois counties before stretching to California, while boosting economic and tourism opportunities ahead of the road’s centennial in 2026. Lawmakers from across the eight Route 66 states are supporting the effort, which would place the iconic highway under the National Park Service as a recognized historic trail.