10th Annual Gold Star 500 Rides Illinois Route 66
9/18/2026
We just received notice about an amazing event that will be traveling through our village on Thursday, September 24. The 10th Annual Gold Star 500 is a 5-day endurance bicycle ride that honors Illinois' fallen service members and their Gold Star families while marking a decade of Gold Star Mission carrying it's "Always Remember, Never Forget" message across the state.
The 2026 ride will follow much of Illinois’ historic Route 66 corridor, connecting riders with schools, veterans organizations, Illinois National Guard facilities and communities along the way. Gold Star Families, riders and volunteers will help ensure the memories of their loved ones and all Illinois’ fallen service members are preserved.
This year’s Gold Star 500 travels from southern Illinois to the Chicago suburbs, with much of the route aligned along historic Route 66. Daily route highlights include:
- Day 1 (Sept. 22): Chester → Steeleville → Mascoutah/O’Fallon → Vandalia → Granite City
- Day 2 (Sept. 23): Granite City → Wood River → Edwardsville → Staunton → Litchfield → North Mac/Virden
- Day 3 (Sept. 24): North Mac → Chatham → Springfield → Williamsville → Lincoln → Atlanta → McLean → Bloomington
- Day 4 (Sept. 25): Bloomington → Lexington → Chenoa → Pontiac → Dwight → Wilmington → Joliet → Plainfield
- Day 5 (Sept. 26): Plainfield → Aurora → St. Charles → Sycamore → Hampshire → Huntley → Algonquin → Streamwood (closing ceremony)
Unfortunately, we do not yet have an approximate time for when the riders will come through McLean. We are asking our residents to keep an eye out and, if you see them, please show your love, support, and appreciation for their participation.
Gold Star Mission’s Impact
Since its founding in 2017, Gold Star Mission has awarded 357 scholarships in honor of Illinois’ fallen service members. Riders in official GSM events have covered more than 160,240 miles – nearly six and a half times around the Earth.
In addition, the Fallen Heroes History Project has produced 14 professional videos capturing the stories of Illinois’ fallen through the voices of their families, friends, and fellow service members, with three additional videos in planning. Gold Star Mission has conducted or participated in 75 organized events since 2017, extending its mission of remembrance across Illinois communities.
Founded by Illinois National Guard members in 2017, Gold Star Mission honors the sacrifice of the nearly 400 Illinois service members killed since Sept. 11, 2001, while supporting their families through scholarships and remembrance projects. In addition to the annual Gold Star 500, the organization leads the General Logan 200 bicycle ride, Scholarship Awards and Appreciation Dinner, and the Fallen Heroes History Project.
Barry Tobias is the President of Gold Star Mission and he wants to make sure this organization is “Ensuring that the memory of our fallen service members stays alive is vitally important to the soul of our nation,” These men and women were willing – and did – give everything for freedom and the United States of America.”
These riders are honoring and supporting our Gold Star Families—families who have sacrificed so much for our country. Gold Star Families deserve our recognition, our gratitude, and our respect.
Come on, McLean, let’s show them some love!