Amy E Elik, State Representative for 111st District (R) | https://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=103&MemberID=3190
Amy E Elik, State Representative for 111st District (R) | https://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=103&MemberID=3190
Illinois State House District 111 candidate Amy Elik announced that "The Illinois State Museum is seeking individuals to share their personal experiences with the original Route 66 in Illinois in honor of the Mother Road's upcoming 100th anniversary celebration." She made this statement in a Facebook post on June 11.
"The Illinois State Museum is seeking individuals to share their personal experiences with the original Route 66 in Illinois in honor of the Mother Road's upcoming 100th anniversary celebration," said E Elik, according to Facebook.
In her Facebook post, Elik shared a link to an ABC News Channel 20 report on the topic. According to the report, the Illinois State Museum is looking to interview travelers, business owners who operated along the route, workers who built the highway, and other individuals involved. Participants will be asked to sign a form allowing the interview to happen and for it to be recorded on video. The transcriptions and videos will be available in an online database celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026.
Screenshot of Rep. Amy Elik's June 11 Facebook post
| State Representative Amy Elik Facebook page
The solicitation of interviews is part of a larger effort by the Illinois State Museum (ISM) to collect stories and items made, purchased, or used along Route 66 in Illinois from 1926-1977. The ISM is searching for various items including:
- Objects related to the Black experience along Route 66
- Objects related to Black-owned businesses along Route 66
- Souvenirs purchased by travelers along Route 66 between 1926-1977
- Objects related to the construction and paving of Route 66
- Objects related to Route 66 during WWII
- Maps depicting Route 66 in Illinois
- Objects related to the Pontiac Trail
- Objects related to Prohibition & bootlegging along Route 66
- Objects related to the demise of Route 66 in Illinois in 1977
According to Erika Holst, Curator of History at ISM, "These interviews will help illustrate the significance of this important transportation achievement." Holst is one of the individuals to contact if one has items they wish to include in the collection.
Amy Elik has represented the people of the 111th District since 2021, following an election win in 2020. She has also served as a Foster Township Trustee, board member for St. Mary’s Catholic School, and co-leader of the Fosterburg AG 4H club, according to her official biography.
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