Route 66

The museum, which attracts Route 66 travelers to the world's largest collection of fiberglass giants, is scheduled to open May 1. It has agreed to make 24 changes to the facility to improve accessibility.

Projects include a 1950s-themed picnic at One Normal Plaza on June 7, a commemorative logo and a mural at Sprague's Super Service.

With over $500,000 in new grant money, VisitBN will use the funds to continue projects, renovations and updates to McLean County's Route 66 landmarks.

“The investigation into the death of an innocent person is not complete or credible unless we reach out and gather every single resource to understand what happened and understand the truth,” Sen. Dick Durbin said during a stop in Bloomington.

Leaders gathered Tuesday in Downtown Bloomington to announce a yearlong celebration for the 100th anniversary of Route 66. Organizers expect an influx of tourism tied to the celebration of the famed American highway.

Last May, the grassroots advocacy group commissioned an artist to paint 15 circus-themed murals connecting the Bloomington Public Library and the McLean County Museum of History. The member organization will do the same thing this summer to celebrate the centennial of Route 66.

The project extends the trail along a 9-mile stretch within the county near Towanda, heading north to the Livingston County line near Chenoa.

The $675,000 federal grant was withdrawn due to changing priorities for the DOT.

As drivers prepare for a cruise down Route 66 during next year's centennial, a trail extension in southern McLean County will get bicyclists one step closer to a continuous safe path between Bloomington and St. Louis just beside the Mother Road.

The Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has received a $150,000 state tourism grant to further restore Sprague’s Super Service in Normal ahead of Route 66's 100th anniversary next year.