Then and Now

Joliet, Illinois is a sprawling Chicago suburb with a newfound tourist and entertainment industry that has swept the city's gritty past under the carpet and opened it to a fresh, new image and reputation. For years Joliet's main attraction was the Chicagoland Speedway, which draws fans from all over the state for NASCAR racing. The Speedway is still a super hot ticket in Joliet, but new additions to the amusement scene, plus some exciting Hollywood filmmaking and television show taping, has turned this rapidly growing community into an out-and-out destination location.

The population of Joliet has skyrocketed in the past decade hitting 145,000 in 2007 (it was just over 100,000 in 2000). This incredible expansion put it on the list of top 25 fastest growing cities in the Midwest. And, perhaps to more fanfare from local inhabitants, Joliet has recently surpassed Naperville in size to become the fourth largest city in Illinois - a status that makes it hard to keep this "Best Kept Secret" under wraps much longer. The city was featured in the Chicago Tribune in July, 2008 as a "place to be" due to Joliet's fun community events and blossoming backdrop of sight-seeing and diversion.

Long, long before Joliet emerged as the next best Chicago suburb, it was a simple colony of settlers who planted roots in the 1830s. The development of Joliet relied heavily on industrial manufacturing, which led to hard times in the late twentieth century when production died off. New initiatives to reinvent the city and revitalize the downtown have been very successful in Joliet, enticing everyone from theater buffs to baseball fans to movie producers to visit the area. Now, the town is an exciting place to live with all the down-home qualities a small suburb, injected with the enjoyable, cultural elements of a big city setting.

Oh, and if you're curious about which films/TV shows were shot in Joliet - here's a rundown of big (and small) screen hits you might want to check out: Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp (due in theaters in July, 2009), Let's Go to Prison starring Will Arnett and Chi McBride (2006), Derailed starring Jennifer Anniston and Clive Owen (2005), Stir of Echoes starring Kevin Bacon (1999), Natural Born Killers starring Woody Harrelson and Juliet Lewis (1994), Blues Brothers starring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi (1980), and the FOX television series Prison Break starring Wentworth Miller (2005 - Present).
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Park is the Place

The Joliet Park District manages more than 50 park sites scattered about the city and the next door Will County Forest Preserve offers miles of excellent trails for biking, hiking, jogging, cross-country skiing and horseback riding.

A fairly new addition to outdoor recreation in Joliet is Splash Station Waterpark (2780 US Route 6, 815-741-7275), which opened in 2002. It's a seasonal attraction that offers a six-lane racing slide, lazy rapids tube float, zero depth pool, sand-covered kiddy play area, all kinds of body slides, and a dining and concessions pavilion. Hot summer days are guaranteed to generate lines, but the good-spirited masses are a welcome indicator of Joliet's rapidly growing popularity. Bird Haven Green House and Conservatory (225 N Gougar Rd) is a relaxing retreat from the daily grind that allows guests to "visit the tropics" anytime of year. The building was erected nearly a hundred years ago but it continues to be a hotspot for Joliet visitors and school field trips. Floral shows are also held here May through October, so local residents with a green thumb can get ideas for seasonal flower arrangements and garden planters.

When you want to workout, shoot hoops or pump iron, Hartman Recreation Center (511 N Collins St, 815-741-7296) is just the place to go. The gymnasium is available to kids aged 8 to 15 for playing basketball and soccer from 3 - 5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It also has a weight room and multi-purpose exercise room, plus a full kitchen to host community functions. Several sports and extracurricular activities are run out of the Hartman Center, so check with their front desk for schedules and restrictions. The Inwood Ice Arena (3000 W Jefferson St, 815-741-7275) is another fun Joliet recreation spot that offers hockey and figure skating programs in addition to public ice times and skate rentals. Whether you are a seasoned pro on the blades or need a helping hand to get around the rink without taking a fall, Inwood is Joliet's number one winter sporting locale (no matter what time of year it is!).

For getting back to nature there's no better place in Joliet than the Pilcher Park Nature Center (2501 Highland Park Dr, 815-741-7277). Trails crisscross the 640-acre grounds, supplying a picturesque spot to ride bicycles or go for wilderness walks. The Nature Center houses tons of native wildlife and provides a great spot to see cool bugs, birds, plants - all the local flora and fauna - in their natural habitat.
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Real Estate

The Joliet housing market is quite stable with a large inventory of properties for sale. Single-family residences range from $30,000 fixer-uppers to well-maintained three bedroom properties for $200,000. In between, there are lots of one- and two-story homes that run the gamut of architectural styles. House hunters will find 100-year-old dwellings with full front porches and gabled rooflines next door to mid-century brick ranches with attached garages.

Many properties boast lush front and back yards dotted with mature trees and thick perimeter shrubbery. The existence of side lots is not uncommon in Joliet, so a good percentage of homes have the added bonus of extra outdoor space and minimal congestion.

The neighborhoods are all different, with diverse housing stock and non-uniform street layouts. This trend away from planned subdivisions and cookie-cutter houses is a big plus for today's home buyers and is part of the reason the suburb is becoming so popular.
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Joliet Residential Real Estate Info for Single-Family Detached Homes

Average Sale Price 2005-2006	Average # of Days on the Market	Number of Sales 2005-2006	One Year Price Change	Price Change Since 94
$170,435	952	1081	-1%	26%

Source: Multiple Listings Service of Northern Illinois

What's on the Menu?

A growing population like Joliet's is sure to have a growing appetite. Fortunately, the city has managed to keep up with the demands of Joliet's dining crowd by establishing a solid foundation of family-friendly restaurants, quick bite eateries, homey bar and grills, corner coffee shops and a whole bunch more.

Let's start in Joliet's City Center where most of the action culminates and hungry diners can get anything from gourmet sandwiches to buffet-style feasts. For American food and affordable prices, Joliet Restaurant (22 W Clinton St., 815-723-3865) is a good bet... Speaking of "betting," the odds of finding something to satiate your craving is pretty high at Harrah's Casino (151 N Joliet St, 815-774-2624), which has a handful of excellent restaurants right inside the facilities. There's Union Station Buffet for and all-you-can-eat international fare (be sure to save room for a stop at the Dessert Depot) and Van Buren's is an upscale chophouse with signature choice cuts and large servings. Get your fill of great eats and interactive sports games at Winning Streak Stadium Café or indulge in your favorite coffee drink at Club Cappuccino to energize for a late night of gambling at the casino tables and slots.

Outside the walls of Harrah's Casino is one of the best sandwich shops in Joliet - McBrody's (73 W Jefferson St., 815-726-8960). It's open every day of the week and serves up delicious focaccia bread masterpieces with a specialty stuffed hamburger unlike anything your taste buds have experienced before. Order up fresh-made Mexican dishes at Vela's Restaurant and Lounge (226 E Cass St, 815-727-2281), a family-owned cantina where margaritas are the beverage of choice and you can't go wrong with a selection from the list of authentic entrée options.

No city is complete unless it has an entire Yellow Book section devoted to pizza places. The directory of pizzerias and Italian restaurants in Joliet is extensive, offering an assortment of national favorites, Chicago-area chains and independent enterprises. Get a dose of hometown cooking at Malnar's Tap and Pizza (1123 Clement St, 815-723-1661), a neighborhood pizzeria and tavern that doubles as a fish fry venue on Fridays. Cemeno's Pizza (1630 Essington Rd, 815-254-2500) has been "A Joliet Tradition Since 1976." This family-run restaurant can whip up any type of pizza you want (including Chicago Style Deep Dish), but Joe's Thick Crust is recommended for first-timers who wish to experience the Cemeno's true approach to the pie. Taking it up a notch in the kitchen, the chef creations at Barolo Ristorante (158 N Chicago St, 815-722-1744) are exquisite Italian delicacies with a European twist. When celebrities are in town, this is where they go to dine. The likes of Lily Tomlin, Tony Bennett, Glen Campbell, and many other musicians and on screen stars have eaten at Barolo. The credit for its masterful menu goes to Chef Guy Turi, whose gourmet pastas and savory entrées are definitely on Joliet's A List of local cuisine.

For Asian food and Chinese carryout in Joliet we direct your attention to China Kitchen (1104 Houlbolt Rd, 815-773-0830), House of Chop Suey (1000 Gardner, 815-722-4312), New Peking (2721 W Jefferson St, 815-744-8889) and Gold Dragon (800 Wilcox St, 815-723-7689), to name a few. Looking for a place with a menu even the kids will like? Check out Diamonds Family Restaurant (3000 Plainfield Rd, 815-436-1070), America's Kitchen Family Restaurant (2727 W Jefferson St, 815-730-4755), Hot Skillet Family Restaurant (2314 W Jefferson St, 815-744-8144) or Louis' Family Restaurant (1001 W Jefferson St, 815-722-6660).

Got the urge to down a dog? Joliet has its fair share of hotdog stands that crank out redhots and other fast food goodies day and night. For starters, try Charlie's Dog House (321 N Center, 815-724-0414), Ace Drive In (1207 Plainfield Rd, 815-726-7741), Judy's Hot Dogs (326 N Republic Ave, 815-729-0251) or Hey Hot Dog (601 Ruby St, 815-723-5487). There are plenty more establishments specializing in hotdog grilling, so explore for yourself!
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Best Shopping Stops

Joliet residents are well served for all their shopping needs at Westfield Louis Joliet Mall (3340 Mall Loop Dr, 815-439-1000), renamed Westfield Shoppingtown in 2005. This retail outpost houses a wide variety of stores, plus a sizeable food court and new state-of-the-art movie theater that will be open for business in 2009. The majority of shops at Westfield are fashion or beauty related however the mall also has a number of gadget and service businesses, such as cell phone and electronics vendors, professional photographers, a toy store, a bank, licensed dentist, and a dry cleaners/tailor.

Going to the mall is handy when you're in the mood for a shopping spree, but Joliet's commercial districts are loaded with dozens of stand-alone stores that supply everything from home furnishings and household items to athletic gear and party goods. Joliet has all the national retailers and mega superstores you wouldn't want to live without: Home Depot, Walmart, Toys-R-Us, Best Buy, Target, Sears, Sams Club, Officemax, Kmart, Petco, Barnes and Noble, and more. Smaller independent businesses and family-owned boutiques also exist in Joliet, giving the community a well-rounded circle of merchants.
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Night on the Town

Joliet's level of evening activities has shot up in recent years as the suburb comes into its own as a full-fledged entertainment center that indulges a variety of interests.

Having two casinos within its city limits has certainly upped the ante on Joliet nightlife (pun intended). Harrah's (151 N Joliet St, 815-740-7800) offers Vegas-style facilities, including glitzy live shows at Stage 151, exclusive members-only performances at club Diamond, all types of gaming, five-star dining, and an on-site hotel to boot. Harrah's is located right downtown in Joliet's City Center, which makes it a popular destination for both local residents and out-of-town visitors. Also boasting hotel accommodations and a weekend lineup of entertainment is Empress Casino (2300 Empress Dr, 888-436-7737). It has 1,100+ slot machines and 20 tables in a majestically decorated arch and column filled interior. The Empress hosts Friday and Saturday night performances at the Zanzibar Lounge (often with no cover charge) and there are three restaurants (Café Casablanca, Marrakech Market Buffet, and Alex) to satisfy the appetites of hungry gamblers.

Even though the casinos attract major players, gambling is not the only thing you can do for a night out on the town in Joliet. In fact, it's far from it! Theater goers and music lovers may want to check out the scheduled at Rialto Square Theatre (15 E Van Buren St, 815-726-7171). This old-school silent movie house was renovated and converted into a functioning live production concert hall in 1981. The elegant auditorium still captivates with ornate architectural details and an illustrious stage that has paraded the likes of Loretta Lyn, the Beach Boys, Kenny Rogers, the Goo-Goo Dolls, and Bill Cosby. In addition to billing world-famous artists and bands, the Rialto puts on classic Broadway plays such as The Nutcracker, Chicago, Late Nite Catechism, and Annie.

If going to the theater or casino is a little more ambitious than you envision for your low-key Friday night, perhaps a movie is in order. Joliet has several multi-screen cinemas to choose from: Movies 8 (3101 Hennepin Rd, 815-436-8713), Movies 10 (2601 Plainfield Rd, 815-439-6728), and Silver Cinemas Joliet Mall (3340 Mall Loop Dr, 815-254-4406).

Sometimes we just want to skip the theatrics altogether and hit the town for a little revelry with friends. Joliet is well adept to handle the drinking set with a bunch of traditional bar and grills. Grab a fresh pulled Guinness from Chicago Street Irish Pub (75 N Chicago St, 815-727-7171). This cozy downtown haunt presents patrons with an international selection of brews that hail from Ireland, England, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica and, of course, the good ole' U.S. of A. Amp up the evening with a visit to Samy's Lounge (3151 Voyage Ln, 815-439-9330), a wild nightclub with a scantily clad wait staff that floats between the dance floor-equipped interior bar space and the tiki-themed beer garden complete with yard games and a fountain.
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School's in Session

Educational opportunities in Joliet include public and private school options. There are two city libraries (an east and west branch) and a few college level institutions.

T.D. Culbertson School 1521 E Washington St., 815-723-0035
M.J. Cunningham School 500 Moran St., 815-723-0169
Dirksen Junior High School 203 S Midland Ave., 815-729-1566
Eisenhower Academy 406 Burke Dr., 815-723-0233
Farragut School 701 Glenwood Ave., 815-723-0394
Forest Park I.E. School 1220 California Ave., 815-723-0414
Gompers Junior High School 1501 Copperfield Ave., 815-727-5276
Hufford Jr. High School 1125 N Larkin Ave., 815-725-3540
Thomas Jefferson School 2651 W Glenwood Ave., 815-725-0262
John F. Kennedy Center 420 N Raynor Ave., 815-740-3196
Edna Keith School 400 Fourth Ave., 815-723-3409
A.O. Marshall School 319 Harwood St., 815-727-4919
Parks Cultural Studies Academy 500 Parks Ave., 815-723-1911
Pershing School 251 N Midland Ave., 815-725-0986
Santor Sanchez School 1101 Harrison Ave., 815-740-2810
Carl Sandburg 1100 Lilac Ln., 815-725-0281
Taft School 1125 Oregon Ave., 815-725-2700
Lynne Thigpen School 207 S Midland, 815-741-7629
Thompson Instructional Center 1020 Rowell Ave., 815-740-5458
Washington Junior High and Academy 402 Richards St., 815-727-5271
Woodland School 701 Third Ave., 815-723-2808
Joliet Township High School Central Campus 201 E Jefferson St., 815-727-6740
Joliet Township High School West Campus 401 N Larkin Ave., 815-727-6950
Joliet Junior College 1215 Houbolt Rd., 815-729-9020
Joliet Catholic Academy 1200 N Larkin Ave., 815-741-0500
Cathedral of St. Raymond Elementary School 608 Raynor Ave., 815-722-6626
St. Mary Magdalene Elementary 201 S Briggs St., 815-727-9079
St. Mary Nativity Elementary School 702 N Broadway St., 815-722-8518
St. Patrick Elementary School 110 Willow Ave., 815-726-2924
Joliet Catholic Academy 1200 N Larkin Ave., 815-741-0500
St. Joseph College of Nursing 290 Springfield Ave., 815-741-7123
University of St. Francis 500 Wilcox St., 800-735-7500
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