Illinois Route 2


Illinois Route 2 is a north-south state road in northern Illinois. It currently starts at Illinois Route 40 in Sterling and ends at the Wisconsin state line in South Beloit, very near the intersection with U.S. Route 51, Illinois Route 75 and Illinois Route 251. Illinois 2 is long.

Route description

Illinois 2 follows the Rock River from Rock Island to South Beloit. It was used in the 19th century as a primary trading route from Rockford to Rock Island, The Rock River was not used as a trading route for boats as it is only navigable west of Rock Falls.
Illinois 2 has since been superseded by Interstate 39 and Interstate 88 for most ground transportation, but the original route remains.

History

SBI Route 2 originally ran from South Beloit to Cairo. Part of the roadway followed the original IL 2 from South Beloit to Dixon. It then followed south on present-day US 52, IL 251, and US 51. In 1936, IL 2 was removed south of Dixon. In the late 1930s, IL 2 was extended to Rock Island. By the late 1970s, IL 2 was removed west of Sterling as Illinois Route 5 was extended to Rock Island.

Blue Star Memorial Highway

Illinois 2 was designated a Blue Star Memorial Highway on November 4, 1970. The sign can be found in a wayside just west of the Winnebago County line in Ogle County along the Rock River.
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Major intersections