Will County Committee Approves Budget with Route 66 Funding Change, Debate Over Tourism Impact

The Will County Finance Committee approved the fiscal year 2025 budget Thursday, but not before extensive debate over a last-minute $200,000 funding request for Route 66 Centennial celebrations that highlighted tensions between tourism promotion and fiscal oversight.

The funding request from Heritage Corridor, which covers seven counties along the historic route, sparked discussion about proper vetting of major expenditures. While committee members expressed support for tourism promotion, they questioned the timing and process.

“I don’t like getting surprises like this,” said Board Member Julie Berkowicz, noting that while Heritage Corridor “has a great program to publicize the Route 66 corridor and events…we’re allocating taxpayer dollars.”

The committee learned that multiple Will County locations serve as Route 66 attractions, including:

• The Village Hall in Bolingbrook
• The Promenade Mall
• Creamy Delight ice cream shop on Route 53
• Large “66” letter installations at various locations

Board Member Jackie Traynere, who previously served on the Heritage Corridor board, explained that the organization typically receives matching funds from the state for tourism initiatives. “All seven counties contribute some portion of money from time to time towards the Heritage Corridor,” she said.