Eastern Terminus: US 12/US 20/US 45 in Bellwood
Length: 32.52 miles
Counties: Kane, Du Page, Cook
Routing: IL 56 is an east-west highway that either parallels, or runs concurrently with, I-88/Ronald Reagan Tollway for virtually its entire length through the western suburbs of Chicago. Starting at a parclo interchange with US 30 and IL 47 in Sugar Grove, IL 56 starts out going northeast as a J-shaped freeway to I-88. IL 56 then joins the tollway for a short distance to the IL 31 interchange in North Aurora, making IL 56 the only Illinois state route to be routed along a toll road. IL 56 follows IL 31 north for a short distance, then turns east and, after crossing IL 25, becomes known as Butterfield Rd., and takes an easterly trek in parallel with I-88. Along the way, IL 56 passes through the communities of Aurora, Warrenville, Wheaton, and Downers Grove. After intersecting the I-355 tollway, IL 56 turns east-northeasterly, and, after passing through Lombard, Oakbrook Terrace and Elmhurst, along with passing amidst I-290 and I-294, IL 56 comes to an end as it meets the US 12/US 20/US 45 triplex in Bellwood.
< Photo by Dan Garnell
JCT
IL 53 shield on IL 56/Butterfield Rd. East. IL 56 meets IL 53 at a signalized
intersection approximately 1 mile west of the I-355 Tollway.
