HB0066eng 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB0066 Engrossed LRB100 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.