Public Act 100-0649
 
HB0066 EnrolledLRB100 03792 AXK 13797 b

    AN ACT concerning State government.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission Act.
 
    Section 5. Purpose. Route 66 is one of the original
highways within the National Highway System. The importance of
Route 66 is rooted within its cultural and historical impact
beginning with its numerical designation in 1926 to its
upcoming centennial in 2026.
    From the outset, public road planners intended for the
highway to connect the main streets of rural and urban
communities so that small towns could have access to a major
national thoroughfare. Illinois has had a major impact on Route
66 as home to the start of the road in Chicago and the first
state to have the road paved across the entire State. Route 66
in Illinois runs almost 300 miles through numerous towns,
eventually reaching Missouri before continuing its way to Santa
Monica, California. Since 1989, the Route 66 Association of
Illinois has been working to preserve and promote the highway
in Illinois through methods such as establishing the Route 66
Hall of Fame & Museum. In 2005, the Illinois stretch of Route
66 received recognition as a National Scenic Byway. The
National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
has awarded more than 23 cost-share grants to assist properties
in Illinois.
    2026 will mark the centennial of the creation of Route 66.
The centennial is an opportunity to promote the preservation
and commemoration of Route 66 including, but not limited to,
existing roadways, buildings, and attractions along the route.
The centennial is also an opportunity to celebrate the
important history of Route 66 in Illinois through
commemorative, educational, and community events. The
centennial celebration may include events about the history of
how local communities grew and changed with the construction of
Route 66, the cultural impact of Route 66 within the United
States and internationally, the portrayal of Route 66 in music,
artwork, and folklore, and how to maintain the mystique and
appeal of Route 66 for future generations.
 
    Section 10. Commission. The Commission shall be composed
of 20 members who reflect the interests, history, and
importance of the communities along Route 66 in Illinois. The
members shall be appointed as follows:
    (1) two public members appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives;
    (2) two public members appointed by the Minority Leader of
the House of Representatives;
    (3) two public members appointed by the President of the
Senate;
    (4) two public members appointed by the Minority Leader of
the Senate;
    (5) three public members appointed by the Governor, one of
whom shall serve as chairperson;
    (6) the President of the Route 66 Association of Illinois,
or his or her designee;
    (7) the Executive Director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic
Byway, or his or her designee; and
    (8) seven ex officio members as follows:
        (A) the Governor, or his or her designee;
        (B) the Secretary of the Department of Transportation,
    or his or her designee;
        (C) the Director of the Illinois Historic Preservation
    Agency, or his or her designee;
        (D) the Director of the Department of Natural
    Resources, or his or her designee;
        (E) the Director of the Office of Tourism, or his or
    her designee;
        (F) the Director of the Department of Commerce and
    Economic Opportunity, or his or her designee; and
        (G) the Director of the State Archives, or his or her
    designee.
 
    Section 15. Ex officio members. An ex officio member of the
Commission vacates the person's position on the Commission if
the person ceases to hold the position that qualifies the
person for service on the Commission.
 
    Section 20. Compensation; expenses. A public member of the
Commission is not entitled to compensation but is entitled to
reimbursement for the travel expenses incurred by the member
while transacting Commission business. Subject to
appropriation, the Office of Tourism of the Department of
Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide reimbursement
under this Section.
 
    Section 25. Meetings; quorum; voting.
    (a) The Commission shall meet at least quarterly at the
times and places in this State that the Commission designates.
    (b) A majority of the members of the Commission constitute
a quorum for transacting Commission business.
 
    Section 30. Powers and duties. The Commission shall:
    (1) plan and sponsor official Route 66 centennial events,
programs, and activities in the State;
    (2) encourage the development of programs designed to
involve all citizens in activities that commemorate Route 66
centennial events in the State; and
    (3) to the best of the Commission's ability, make available
to the public information on Route 66 centennial events
happening throughout the State.
 
    Section 35. Administrative support. Subject to
appropriation, the Office of Tourism shall provide
administrative and other support to the Commission.
 
    Section 40. Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission Trust
Fund; in-kind gifts.
    (a) The Commission may accept monetary gifts and grants
from any public or private source, to be held in the Illinois
Route 66 Centennial Commission Trust Fund. The Illinois Route
66 Centennial Commission Trust Fund is created as a
non-appropriated trust fund to be held outside of the State
treasury, with the State Treasurer as custodian. The Fund shall
be expended solely for the use of the Commission in performing
the Commission's powers and duties under this Act.
    (b) The Commission may also accept in-kind gifts.
 
    Section 45. Dissolution of the Commission. No later than
June 30, 2027, a final report on the Commission's activities
shall be delivered to the Governor. The Commission shall be
dissolved on June 30, 2027, and any assets remaining in the
Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission Trust Fund shall be
deposited in to the General Revenue Fund.
 
    Section 50. Repeal. This Act is repealed on December 1,
2027.