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The Route 66 Association of Illinois is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to preserving, promoting, educating and enjoying Route 66 in Illinois. It's members hail from all over the US and many other countries. The Association sponsors the Route 66 Hall of Fame in Pontiac Illinois, stages an annual Chicago-St. Louis Motor Tour in early June and publishes a quarterly newsletter.
There is much to do and see here in Illinois, and on our website. Browse the towns along the road, explore our map views of fantastic attractions, visit our online gift shop, read about our preservation efforts, enjoy our member adventures, and join our association.
We hope you enjoy your visit!
Upcoming Events
| Name | Date | Event Type |
|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin Chunking Contest | Saturday October 11 | Entertainment |
| Girard Pumpkin Festival | Saturday October 11 | Entertainment |
| Preservation Workday | Sunday October 12 | Association Events |
| Route 66 Association of Illinois Board Meeting and Elections 2008 | Sunday October 19 | Association Meeting |
Association News
Morris Cruisers Visit Dwight and Route 66
Submitted by The Admin on October 3, 2008 - 3:19pm.Early Saturday morning, September 20th, a happy group of Classic Car owners (50’s and 60’s cars) met at Wendy’s in Morris. This group represented members of the Morris Wendy’s Monday night cruisers called – One-Eyed Jacks!!! Their goal was to travel Route 66 from Joliet to Pontiac. This mini-tour’s first destination was the Route 66 Welcome Center in Joliet. They then proceeded through various towns and villages. In Gardner many were photographed in the two cell jail. While in Dwight - stopped for lunch at the Old Route 66 Family Restaurant, toured the Becker-Ambler Station and had photo opts and coffee at the Java Junction.
The Route 66 Handbike Project
Submitted by The Admin on October 1, 2008 - 2:32pm.The Italian Route 66 Association is proud to let us know that on April 24 2009 the “Route 66 Handbike Project” Norberto De Angelis will ride his special bike for disabeld from Chicago to Santa Monica in 3 months along the Mother Road.
We are looking for support along the road to give visibility to this extraordinary performance. Ideas, suggestions or even a smile to Norberto during his travel will be appreciated.
Please have a look at his official web site to learn more about Norberto De Angelis and the project
Boys (and Girls) From Brazil Visit the Mother Road
Submitted by The Admin on September 3, 2008 - 6:14pm.Friday, August 29th, was an exciting experience for 39 visiting Brazilians who visited Pontiac, Odell and Dwight, IL. The group arrived in our area from the South American Country after landing in Florida and then driving to Indianapolis. They were anxious to visit Route 66 in Illinois and ride their rented Harley Davidsons to the 105th Anniversary Celebration in Waukesha and Milwaukee, Wisconsin The week-end event drew over 75,000 motorcycles and their riders from over 40 countries world-wide.
Ariston Cafe receives Route 66 "Business of the Year" Award
Submitted by The Admin on August 14, 2008 - 4:23pm.Litchfield's historic Ariston Cafe was honored as the 2008 "Business of the Year" at the Official Route 66 Festival in Litchfield on Saturday, July 21. Proprieters Nick and Demi Adam were on hand to receive the award from the Route 66 Preservation Foundation on behalf of their legendary roadside landmark. Owned and operated by the Adam Family since its opening in Carlinville in 1924, the business and its founding family were inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame in 1992.
Famous Photographer on the Road!
Submitted by Catherine Steva... on August 13, 2008 - 10:36am.On Tuesday evening, August 12. famous photographer Hiroshi Hanamura met with former Route 66 Association of Illinois Presidents Frank Lozich, John Miller, current President Cathie Stevanovich, Treasurer Marty Blitstein, charter member Jeff Meyer and active member and volunteer Jeff Geisler as Mr. Hanamura starts a 2 week trip down Route 66.
Hiroshi has traveled extensively on Route 66 in the past and has published books and photographs in Japan about the beloved Mother Road. Mr. Hiroshi had met Frank Lozich, Jeff Meyer, and others when he was in Illinois in 1993 - in fact he even joined in the Route 66 Association of Illinois Motor Tour that year!!!
