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Joliet, Illinois

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The city of Joliet is located 40 miles southwest of Chicago. It holds the county seat of Will County and is also incorporated in Kendall County. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 106,221. A special census conducted in 2006 pegged the city's population at a certified 145,803. Joliet is currently the fastest growing city in the Midwest and the 14th fastest growing city in the United States among cities larger than 100,000 people [1].

History

Joliet was first settled as a town in 1834 and originally bore the name Juliet [2]. Some historians believe the town was named Juliet in honor of settler James B. Campbell's daughter. Other possible sources of the name include the Shakespearean character (the nearby village of Romeoville was named as a companion; see Romeo and Juliet) or a corruption of the name of French Canadian explorer Louis Jolliet, who visited the area in 1673. The name was eventually changed to Joliet in his memory in 1845, and the city was incorporated in 1852.

Maps from Joliet's exploration of the area placed a large hill or mound on what is now the south west corner of the city. That hill was named Mound Jolliet, and was made up entirely of clay. The spot was mined by early settlers and is now a depression. That depression was settled soon after and became known as the town of Rockdale.

Like many Midwestern cities dependent on manufacturing industries, Joliet has experienced past economic troubles, with the unemployment rate reaching as high as 25% in the early 1980s. Joliet's proximity to the Chicago metropolitan area has provided some relief; the city is increasingly evolving from its status as a steel-town to an exurb. Still, most new migrants to the area are moving to Joliet to live, choosing to work in bordering Cook and DuPage counties, and the downtown area, once downtrodden, is undergoing a total revitalization. The main attractions in Joliet's City Center are the Harrah's Casino and Hotel, Joliet Jackhammers baseball (Silver Cross Field), and the Rialto Square Theatre, the 'Jewel of Joliet', which has been called one of the world's 10 most beautiful theatres. The 1999 film "Stir of Echoes" starring Kevin Bacon had scenes shot on location in Joliet at both the Rialto Theatre (the hypnotism scenes in which Bacon saw the word "Dig" on the movie screen) and at the corner of Western Avenue and Center Street (sequences showing the front of Kevin Bacon's house). Even though the movie was set in Chicago, the location in Joliet had the right "south-side" appearance and was an easier location to shoot than the large urban setting of Chicago.

Geography

Joliet is located at 41°31′59″N 88°6′32″W / 41.53306°N 88.10889°W / 41.53306; -88.10889Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (41.533030, -88.108933).Template:GR According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 99.3 km² (38.3 mi²). 98.6 km² (38.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (0.76%) is water.

Demographics

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As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 106,221 people, 36,182 households, and 25,399 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,077.6/km² (2,790.9/mi²). There were 38,176 housing units at an average density of 387.3/km² (1,003.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.32% White, 18.16% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 8.97% from other races, and 2.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.41% of the population.

There were 36,182 households out of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.39.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.5% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,761, and the median income for a family was $55,870. Males had a median income of $41,909 versus $29,100 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,390. About 7.7% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.5% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Situated approximately 40 miles southwest of central Chicago, Joliet has long been a significant transportation hub. It lies on both sides of the Des Plaines River, a major waterway in Chicagoland, and was one of the principal ports on the Illinois and Michigan Canal. The Elgin, Joliet, and Eastern (EJ&E) railroad came through in the 1850s, and the Santa Fe line soon followed. U.S. Highways 6 (the Grand Army of the Republic Highway), 30 (the Lincoln Highway), 45, 52, and 66 (Route 66) all ran through the city. In the 1960s, Interstate 55 and Interstate 80 made their way through Joliet, linking up near Channahon just west of the city limits. The phrase "Crossroads of Mid-America", found on the Joliet seal, is an allusion to the intersection of I-80 and I-55. Also, Joliet is the final stop on the Metra lines from Chicago Union Station along the Heritage Corridor as well as the La Salle Street Station along the Rock Island District, so there are not one but two ways to get in and out of Chicago during the week, depending on where you want to go downtown.

Landmarks

The Rialto Square Theatre in downtown Joliet.

The famous Joliet Prison (now closed) is near downtown on Collins Street and is featured in the hit television show Prison Break. It was also used for the opening scenes in the popular 1980 movie, The Blues Brothers. The Joliet Arsenal (now the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie) is in nearby Elwood. Stateville Correctional Center, the principal prison for the state of Illinois, is located in the neighboring city of Crest Hill. The Rialto Square Theatre, a favorite haunt of Al Capone and filming location for scenes from Kevin Bacon's film "Stir of Echos", is on Chicago Street in downtown. There are two riverboat casinos in Joliet: the Empress Casino near Channahon and Rockdale, and a Harrah's hotel and casino downtown. (There are also many stores, restaurants, and shops, including the Westfield Louis Joliet mall located on Rt.30.

Located at the northeast corner of Chicago and Clinton Streets, in downtown Joliet, is the historic Auditorium Building. Designed by G. Julian Barnes and built of limestone in 1891, it was controversial as one of the first buildings to combine religious, civic, and commercial uses. Built to replace St. John's Universalist Church, the upstairs sanctuary doubled as a civic auditorium; and the congregation leased space to businesses on the lower level. Having since sold the Auditorium Building, the congregation today survives as the Universalist Unitarian Church of Joliet; however, the sanctuary of Auditorium Building no longer survives and has recently been converted into upscale condominiums.

Colleges and universities

High schools

Sports

One of Joliet's nicknames is the "City of Champions." This nickname stems from the numerous state and national titles won by the Joliet Township High School and grade school bands over several decades.

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Joliet Central Campus, Jefferson St Exit

Joliet is home to three high schools: Joliet Central, Joliet West, and Joliet Catholic Academy (JCA).

JCA was formed in 1990 as a merger between the city's all-boys and all-girls Catholic high schools, Joliet Catholic High School and St. Francis Academy.

Joliet Central was the first of three public high schools in Joliet. Founded in 1901, JTHS (commonly called Central) is known for its high academic Scholastic Bowl team, and its Articulate Journal Club.

Joliet East (now closed) and Joliet West were built later to accommodate the baby boom. West has the record for 74 consecutive wins in Illinois for wrestling [citation needed]. The Joliet Central Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) has been an Honor Unit with Distinction for the past 20 years. West JROTC has been named an Honor Unit with Distinction two times.

JCA also offers a JROTC program but is known primarily for its football. Since the founding of the state football playoffs in 1974, JCA has won a record 12 state football championships. The "Hilltoppers," have produced NFL players Mike Alstott and Tom Thayer, along with Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger of Notre Dame fame.

Joliet Township High Schools Central have been known for their basketball teams.

JTHS Central's Band has been among the best in the nation, receiving numerous awards of achievement[citation needed]. In fact, the school's first band director, A.R. McAllister, started one of the first known high school band programs in the country in 1912 and was known as the best in the nation by the late 1920s. The JTHS band, under McAllister for three decades, would go on to win dozens of national, state, and regional band championships, helping Joliet earn its "City of Champions" moniker. This tradition of music excellence continues to this day.

Joliet also is home to the minor league baseball team the Joliet JackHammers of the Northern Independent League.

Chicagoland Speedway is in Joliet, hosting annual events from NASCAR and the Indy Racing League. During major races, the population of the city more than doubles due to the large influx of fans. Route 66 Motor Speedway also takes place on the drag-strip across the street from the speedway. Joliet Central has become actively involved in Route 66 by building an alternative fuel source vehicle. Alternative Fuel Source Vehicle

Notable natives and citizens

Facts

  • It is illegal to mispronounce the city's name as 'Jolly-ETTE'. This will incur a $5 fine. Source

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