JOLIET
Community Information
Counties: Will, Kendall
Townships: Joliet, Troy, Plainfield, New Lenox, Jackson, Channahon, Seward, Na-Au-Say
River: Des Plaines
Zip Codes: 60431, 60432, 60433, 60434, 60435, 60436, 60586
Mayor: Bob O’Dekirk
Timezone: Central
Settled: 1833
Incorporated: 1852
Overview
Spreading across 2 counties, Will and Kendall, with a population of approx. 150,000, makes Joliet is the 3rd largest city in Illinois. Joliet is 40 miles southwest of Chicago, which makes it easily assessable by car or rail. Once an industrial city, the community has reinvented itself as a tourist destination with a robust and diversified economy.
In the late 80’s Joliet implemented a revitalization strategy. The plan was designed to take advantage of Joliet’s many physical assets. Some of the plans main points, outlined the need for entertainment, attractions, common streetscapes throughout the area, and visible gateways into the city center. Major aspects of the Plan have already been implemented. Construction has been completed on the Harrah’s Casino Pavilion and Hotel, river-walk promenades, the Freedom Court Building, and a wing extension of the Joliet Public Library, to name a few. Due to City Center development over $128 million in property valuation has been added to downtown Joliet.
As the county seat, Joliet’s City Center continues to serve as an administrative and service center. The City Center offers a convenient location for many law offices, title insurance companies, and banking facilities.
A recent study indicates that the Joliet City Center residential market could support 1,100 new housing units’. Local officials are currently marketing prime City Center property for residential development.
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