The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to award grants to certified convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) for the development of tourism, education, preservation and promotion of the 100th anniversary of Route 66 Grant Program.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/15/2025
Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Route 66 is one of the most famous roads in America. Generations of travelers have romanticized this highway as a symbol of unlimited mobility and freedom of the road. Its iconic status is enhanced by the unprecedented volume of music, books, films, and other art forms that depict it as the essence of America’s highway culture.
In Illinois they have over 300 miles of Route 66 to travel from its starting point in Chicago to the Chain of Rocks Bridge. This funding opportunity provides the certified convention and visitors bureaus along the route to partner and develop projects which will enhance the Route 66 experience in Illinois. Preference will be given to projects that:
- Are statewide in nature and benefit the entire Illinois portion of Route 66 from Chicago to Chain of Rocks Bridge.
- Develop new or enhance existing attractions that elevate the Route 66 experience in Illinois for visitors.
- Support improved wayfinding for visitors traveling Route 66.
- Strengthen future tourism trends that includes electrified transportation (i.e., electric vehicles and preferably super chargers.
Goals and Measures
Grantees will be required to report on the expenditure of funds and the successful performance measure outcomes using the periodic financial and performance reporting templates.
The project specific performance measures shall include the following standardized performance:
- Did the deliverables specified lead to the completion of the project as described within the Agreement?
- Given the total amount of Grant funds available, does the percentage currently drawn and expended directly correlate to the percent of the completion of the project to date?
- At the time of award closeout, has the Grantee fulfilled the public purpose of the project outlined?
Funding Information
This grant program is utilizing state funds appropriated by Public Act 104-0003. Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $4,000,000. Awards will range from $20,000 to $1,000,000. This application may not exceed $700,000.
Eligible Projects
Eligible Projects and Activities include, but are not limited to:
- Travel
- Equipment
- Contractual Services
- Consultant (Professional services)
- Construction
- Research & Development
- Miscellaneous Costs
- Familiarization tours for media and trade on Route 66 as identified within the application;
- Advertising and Marketing Related Costs
Eligibility Criteria
An entity must be registered in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, at the time of grant application. The portal will verify that the entity:
- Has a valid FEIN number
- Has a current SAM.gov registration. SAM.gov registrations must be marked as “public” to allow the GATA Grantee Portal to expedite the review of the federal information;
- Has a valid UEI number
- Is not on the Federal Excluded Parties List
- Is in Good Standing with the Illinois Secretary of State, as applicable
- Is not on the Illinois Stop Payment list (verified once entity is registered in GATA Grantee Portal); and
- Is not on the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Provider Sanctions list
Pursuant to the policy of the Illinois Office of the Comptroller, to receive grant funds from the State of Illinois, a grantee must be considered a regarded entity by the IRS for federal income tax purposes. Disregarded entities will not be eligible to receive grant funds.
For more information, visit DCEO.
