With 147,433 people, Joliet is the fourth largest city in the state of Illinois. The first settlers along the Des Plaines River arrived in 1833 and named the town Juliet, likely a mispelling of the name of Louis Jolliet, who first explored the area with Father Jacque Marquette in 1673. The town's name was changed to Joliet in 1845, and the city incorporated seven years later. Initially it was known for its steel manufacturing and limestone quarry production, giving the town the moniker "The City of Steel and Stone." Later, it became known as the home of the Joliet Correctional Center (now closed) and Stateville Correctional Center (actually in neighboring Crest Hill). Today, most people know it for the Rialto Square Theatre; Chicagoland Speedway, which hosts NASCAR and Indy Car racing; Harrah's and Hollywood casinos; and the Joliet Slammers baseball team. Portions of the movie "The Blues Brothers" were filmed in Joliet, and some of the city's most famous one-time residents include Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, a University of Notre Dame football player made famous in the movie "Rudy"; Chicago Bears player Tom Thayer, who was part of the 1980 Super Bowl champion team; musicians Lionel Richie and Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins); syndicated newspaper columnist Robert Novak; model Adrianne Curry; dancer Katherine Dunham; and actors Mercedes McCambridge, Anthony Rapp, Janina Gavankar, Andy Dick, Lynne Thigpen and John Barrowman.
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Handicap Accessible: Building is handicapped accessible
- Founding Date: 1845
- Parking: Free lot, On-street: metered
- Public restrooms: Yes