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Joliet, Illinois

Joliet is a city located in both Will and Kendall County, Illinois and is a suburb southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will CountyGR6. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 106,221; a 2003 special census revealed the city's population to be 120,782. A 2005 census shows the population at 129,519.

History
Joliet was first settled as a town in 1834 and originally bore the name Juliet. 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 incoporated 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 several midwestern cities with economies focused on manufacturing, Joliet has experienced 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 is largely empty and downtrodden, while perceptions about Joliet as a depressed city with a low quality of living linger.

Geography
Joliet is located at 41°31'59" North, 88°6'32" West (41.533030, -88.108933)GR1. 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 is water. The total area is 0.76% water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR2 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. 18.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

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. 10.8% of the population and 7.7% of families were below the poverty line. 13.5% of those under the age of 18 and 8.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

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 and La Salle Street Station, 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 famous Joliet Prison (now closed) is near downtown on Collins Street, and 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, 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 (The Illinois Gaming Board has not made the casinos sail since 1996, therefore the riverboats no longer sail, and remain docked year round.) There are also many stores, restaurants, and shops, including a shopping 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 contraversial as one of the first buildings to combine religious, civic, and commerical 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 Builing no longer survives and has recently been converted into upscale condominiums.

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