Will County Prepares for Route 66 Centennial with $3.4 Million in Grant Projects

Will County Board Meeting | March 19, 2026

Article Summary: Will County is gearing up to be a central hub for the 100th anniversary of Route 66, backed by $3.4 million in state grant funding that will pay for new attractions and a nationally televised baseball game at the Old Joliet Prison.

Route 66 Centennial Key Points:

• Heritage Corridor Destinations received $5.8 million in Route 66 grant funding, with $3.4 million directly allocated to Will County projects.

• Joliet has been selected as the National Centennial Satellite City for Illinois, featuring a baseball game at the Old Joliet Prison on April 30.

• Upcoming attractions include a 20-foot “Tire Tower” at the Chicagoland Speedway, EV chargers in Wilmington, and 100-year commemorative benches.

The Will County Board on Thursday, March 19, 2026, received an exciting preview of the upcoming Route 66 Centennial celebrations, which will bring millions of dollars in new tourist attractions to the area.

Bob Navarro, President and CEO of Heritage Corridor Destinations, delivered a presentation outlining the massive scale of the 2026 celebrations. Navarro reported that his organization received $5.8 million from a state competitive grant program to prepare the route for domestic and international tourists. Of that total, $3.4 million is being directly invested into Will County projects.

According to Navarro, the funds are paying for permanent product development. Upcoming installations include a 20-foot-tall “Tire Tower” at the Chicagoland Speedway, new Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations and signage in Wilmington, and the creation of “Gigantar,” a massive fiberglass statue in Joliet.

The grant is also funding the creation of customized 100-year commemorative benches. The benches, shaped like vintage cars, are being distributed to local artists to be painted and will be installed in various communities including Lockport, Dwight, and Wilmington.

The centennial celebrations will officially kick off on April 30. Joliet was selected by the U.S. Centennial Organization as the official “Satellite City” for Illinois. The day’s events will feature a unique exhibition baseball game between the Joliet Slammers and the Gateway Grizzlies, played on a recreated ballfield on the grounds of the Old Joliet Prison.

Navarro noted that the county will be featured heavily on national television throughout the year, with film crews from PBS and “Travels with Darley” scheduled to shoot episodes highlighting the local corridor.