Joliet, Illinois

Joliet is a city in Will and Kendall Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois, located 40 mi southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will County. As of the 2010 census, the city was the fourth-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 147,433. It continues to be Illinois' fastest growing city and one of the fastest growing in the United States. When Joliet was first planned in the early 1830s, it was still in Cook County. In 1836, it became the county seat of the new Will County.

History
In 1833, following the Black Hawk War, Charles Reed built a cabin along the west side of the Des Plaines River. Across the river in 1834, James B. Campbell, treasurer of the canal commissioners, laid out the village of "Juliet", named after his daughter. Just before the depression of 1837, Juliet incorporated as a village, but to cut tax expenses, Juliet residents soon petitioned the state to rescind that incorporation. In 1845, local residents changed the community's name from "Juliet" to "Joliet". Joliet was reincorporated as a city in 1852. The origin of the name was most likely a corruption of the name of French Canadian explorer Louis Jolliet, who in 1673, along with Father Jacques Marquette, paddled up the Des Plaines River and camped on a huge mound, a few miles south of present-day Joliet. Maps from Jolliet's exploration of the area, placed a large hill or mound on what is now the southwest 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.

Geography
Joliet is located at 41.5225°N, -88.14056°W (41.5224597, -88.1406140).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 38.35 sqmi, of which, 38.06 sqmi of it is land and 0.29 sqmi of it (0.76%) is water. It has a sprawling, irregular shape that extends into nine different townships, more than any other Illinois city. They are: Joliet, Plainfield, Troy, New Lenox, Jackson, Channahon, and Lockport in Will County, and Na-Au-Say and Seward in Kendall County. Joliet is a Des Plaines River town, with the downtown located in the river valley. This is especially evident on Interstate 80 if one is coming from the east or the west where it has been flat for many miles and suddenly the land drops as you approach the river. This offers a great view looking north to see downtown Joliet. For most of its existence Joliet geographically has had its "west side" and "east side". This is referring to the west side of the Des Plaines River or the east side of the Des Plaines River. Both sides were roughly proportionate throughout most of its history until the 2nd half of the 20th century when westward expansion began. Many of the downtown shops and businesses began leaving the busy downtown area to the bustling residential developments taking place to the west. Many stores relocated to the west side in new strip malls and shopping centers with more parking and easier access. This began the decline of the downtown shopping district which is still felt today. Today Joliet has a "west side" and a far "west side" (which includes all city limits in Kendall County). This has given rise to a newly referenced "Central Joliet" portion of the City which essentially is all land west of the Des Plaines River and east of Interstate 55. This new reference may soon change the current meaning of "west side" to west of Interstate 55.

Waterways
While the heart and history of Joliet is centered around the Des Plaines River Joliet actually expands across both the Des Plaines River and the DuPage River. There are several other waterways that traverse through the city limits including Hickory Creek, Spring Creek, the historic Illinois and Michigan Canal, Jackson Creek, and Aux Sable Creek. Some small lakes and bodies of water include Chase Lake, Lake Juco, Michigan Beach, the Brandon Road Quarry, and Leisure Lake.

Demographics
As of July 1, 2008, Joliet was the 159th most populous city in the United States. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 106,221 people, 36,182 households, and 25,399 families residing in the city. The official 2008 population total by a Special Census called on by the City of Joliet in late 2008 from the U.S. Census Bureau is 152,812. The population density was 2,790.9 people per square mile (1,077.6/km²). There were 53,312 housing units at an average density of 1,003.1 per square mile (387.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 54.2% White with 84,742 whites, 17.0% African American with 26,633 blacks, 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 25.2% of the population with 39,405 Hispanics or Latinos.

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.

From April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2008, Joliet was the fastest-growing city in the Midwestern United States and the 18th fastest-growing city in the United States among incorporated places with more than 100,000 people.

Economy
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), Hollywood Casino (formerly, Empress Casino) and the Rialto Square Theatre, the 'Jewel of Joliet', which has been called one of the world's 10 most beautiful theaters. 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.

Largest employers
According to the City's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are:

Landmarks
Among local landmarks are the Joliet Area Historical Museum and Route 66 Visitors Center as well as the Chicagoland (NASCAR) and the Route 66 Speedways. The famous Joliet Prison (now closed) is near downtown on Collins Street and is featured in the television show Prison Break. It was also used for the opening scenes in the popular 1980 movie, The Blues Brothers, which starred John Belushi as "Joliet" Jake Blues and Dan Aykroyd as "Elwood" Blues. The first Dairy Queen drive-in was in Joliet. The popular card game "UNO" began here also. 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 Echoes, is on Chicago Street, downtown. There are two riverboat casinos in Joliet: the Hollywood Casino near Channahon and Rockdale and a Harrah's hotel and casino downtown. Joliet is the only city in the State of Illinois to have two casinos. There are also many restaurants and shops, including the Westfield Louis Joliet mall, located on Route 30, where it intersects I-55.

Located at the northeast corner of Chicago and Clinton Streets, 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.

The Jacob A. Henry Mansion, 20 South Eastern Avenue is a three-story, red brick, Second Empire/Italian Renaissance style structure built on a Joliet limestone foundation in 1873(completed in 1876).The structure is set on bedrock and the entire basement floor is made of Joliet limestone from the building owner’s quarry. The walls of the structure are constructed of red Illinois sandstone and deep red brick specially fired in Ohio (wrapped individually and shipped by barge to Joliet). A commanding three-story tower is the focal point of the structure. The structure has steel trim with slate shingles on a Mansard roof. The front and side porches are single slabs of limestone. The largest stone ever quarried lies in the sidewalk under the front entry gate. The stone is 9’ X 22’ X 20” thick. In 1885, an immense Byzantine dome was added to the south façade. The interior of the mansion has elaborate polished walnut woodwork, massive, carved pocket doors, original wood mantles and a solid walnut staircase. The original owner, Mr. Henry, was a railroad magnate, building railroads in Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. He had ownership in a local quarry and was a principal stockholder in Will County National Bank. The mansion won the Architecture Award at the American Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia in 1876, and is claimed to be the largest and best example of Renaissance Revival architecture still standing in the state of Illinois. The structure is a local landmark, part of the East Side National Register District and individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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

Joliet is home to three high schools that bear its name: Joliet Central, Joliet West, and Joliet Catholic Academy (JCA), each of which has sports programs. JCA has been a major football powerhouse for many years and has won more state football titles than any other team in the state, with thirteeen as of 2009.

Joliet also is home to a minor league baseball team, the Joliet Slammers of the independent Frontier League. Beginning in the 2011 season, they will play their home games at Silver Cross Field. The Slammers replace the former Joliet JackHammers of the Northern League.

Chicagoland Speedway hosts annual events from NASCAR and the Indy Racing League. During major races, the large influx of fans means that the number of people in the city is double that of the official figure. Next door to the Speedway, the Route 66 Raceway features National Hot Rod Association events on its drag-strip. Joliet Central has become actively involved in Route 66 by building an alternative fuel vehicle. Autobahn Country Club, also located in Joliet, has held the SCCA World Challenge, Atlantic Championship and Star Mazda Championship races since 2009.

Golf courses
There are four golf courses located in the city of Joliet, they are:
 * Inwood Golf Course
 * Woodruff Golf Course
 * Wedgewood Golf Course
 * Joliet Country Club

Family entertainment
Joliet has two miniature golf courses at Haunted Trails located off of Broadway Street.

Joliet has a water park on Route 6 called Splash Station.

The Pilcher Park Nature Center, located in Pilcher Park, hosts many youth and educational programs.

Pilcher Park, one of Joliet's oldest parks, is home to over 640 acres of land that provide a habitat for abundant wildlife and outdoor recreation.

Bicycle trails
There are several miles of bike trails which wind through Joliet. The Rock Run and Joliet Junction Trails are roughly North/South routes that begin at the Theodore Marsh in Crest Hill, Illinois and have southern terminuses on the I&M Canal State Trail. These three paths can be used as a 16-mile loop through western Joliet. The I&M Canal State Trail stretches about 60 miles to Peru, Illinois for longer bike rides.

Colleges and universities

 * Joliet Junior College, the nation's first public community college
 * University of St. Francis
 * Rasmussen College - Romeoville and Joliet
 * Lewis University - Romeoville and Joliet area

High schools

 * Joliet Central High School
 * Joliet East High School (closed, now Joliet Job Corps)
 * Joliet West High School
 * Joliet Catholic Academy
 * Plainfield South High School
 * Some portions of Joliet's far west side send their students to Minooka Community High School located in Minooka, and Plainfield Central High School in Plainfield, Illinois.

City limits
Joliet current city limits reach as far as follows:
 * To the north: Renwick Road
 * To the south: Noel Road
 * To the east: Higinbotham Woods
 * To the west: Grove Road

Transportation
Situated approximately 40 mi 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 Northern Illinois, 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. Joliet's Union Station is the final stop on the Metra rail lines from Chicago for the Heritage Corridor route from Chicago Union Station and the Rock Island District route from LaSalle Street Station. A third line would also terminate at the station, The STAR Line, from O'Hare Transfer with an additional stop at Division St. PACE provides local bus service six days a week (no service on Sundays) with buses leaving from a terminal in downtown Joliet once an hour. Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, also serves Joliet, operating its Texas Eagle daily in each direction between Chicago and San Antonio, Texas.

Airports
The Joliet Regional Airport is located off of Jefferson Street near Interstate 55. Lewis University Airport is located to the north in the nearby village of Romeoville and is owned by the Joliet Regional Port District.

Major highways


Major highways in Joliet include:
 * Interstate 80
 * Interstate 55
 * U.S. Route 66
 * U.S. Route 52
 * U.S. Route 30
 * U.S. Route 6
 * IL Route 7
 * IL Route 53
 * IL Route 59

Hospitals
Joliet currently has 2 hospitals within its city limits: Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center (also known as St. Joe's) on the west side and Silver Cross Hospital on the east side. These were the only two hospitals in the history of the existence of Will County until Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital opened in January 2008. In September 2008, Silver Cross Hospital broke ground for their replacement hospital in New Lenox, which is expected to open in 2012.

Religion
Joliet is home of the Dioceses of Joliet and Bishop Joseph M. Siegel (replacement for Bishop Sartain). Bishop J. Peter Sartain was the former Bishop of Joliet. Joliet holds a large Catholic population. According to the official website for the city of Joliet:

Joliet's diverse faith community represents over 60 denominations and offers residents services at more than 150 churches, synagogues, and houses of worship. Along with their spiritual offerings, these houses of worship enrich the Joliet area by providing some of the area's finest examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Byzantine, and Renaissance architecture. The spiritual community in Joliet welcomes newcomers with open arms, offering regular worship services and religious education.