Route 66 Spotlight: Lincoln’s new Museum of Route 66 opens this weekend with free admission for the grand opening, plus big photo-op features like a giant “penny” and a Diner exhibit. Local Youth Sports: The Chicago Bears’ 3rd Annual Youth Football Training Camp returns to the Meskwaki Indian Settlement on July 18, adding a Girls Flag Football Camp alongside the Mini Monsters program. Road-Trip Ready Illinois: IDOT opened a new $63M Materials Testing and Research Center in Springfield to support road and bridge work statewide. Stay Alert While Traveling: Orkin’s 2026 bed bug rankings put Chicago at No. 1 for the sixth straight year, with Springfield and Peoria also making the worst-city list. Weather Safety: Illinois officials are reminding people that lightning is deadly and that you should head indoors at the first thunder and stay sheltered for at least 30 minutes after the last rumble. Space Weather: Northern Lights may be visible in parts of the U.S. this weekend as a geomagnetic storm is forecast.