Why Joliet
Joliet is a major municipality located approximately 40 miles southwest of Chicago, serving as the county seat of Will County while extending into neighboring Kendall County. Developed along the Des Plaines River, the city features a river valley downtown and is geographically divided into distinct east and west portions. It stands as the third-most populous city in Illinois, encompassing over 65 square miles across nine townships.
The area's recorded history traces back to 1673, when explorer Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette paddled the Des Plaines River and camped nearby. Settlement expanded during the 1830s, with the village initially incorporated under the name Juliet before adopting the name Joliet in 1845 and reincorporating as a city in 1852. The community initially developed around heavy industry, becoming home to the Joliet Iron and Steel Works, which once operated as the second-largest steel mill facility in the United States.
Joliet achieved further prominence as the first major city outside Chicago along historic U.S. Route 66. The highway passes directly through downtown, crossing the Des Plaines River via the Ruby Street Bridge. Notable stops along the route include the location of the very first Dairy Queen store. Downtown visitors can explore the Joliet Area Historical Museum, which highlights local heritage and Route 66 history, as well as the 1891 limestone Auditorium Building and the Rialto Square Theatre, a historic downtown performance venue.
One of the city's most recognized landmarks is the Old Joliet Prison, constructed in 1858 using locally quarried limestone. Following its closure as a correctional facility, it opened for guided public tours in 2018 and remains widely known for its appearances in television shows such as Prison Break and films like The Blues Brothers. Architectural heritage is further preserved within the Upper Bluff and East Side historic districts, home to grand residences such as the 1870s Jacob A. Henry Mansion.
For leisure and sports, Joliet features gaming at Harrah's Casino downtown and Hollywood Casino, along with independent Frontier League baseball games featuring the Joliet Slammers at Duly Health and Care Field. Motorsports enthusiasts attend events at the nearby Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway. The region experiences a humid continental climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and cold winters accompanied by moderate to heavy snowfall.
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