Rialto's $5M Grant: Here's How Money Will Be Spent

Joliet IL

18 March, 2022

12:32 PM

Description

JOLIET, IL — Larry Walsh Jr. was credited "with carrying the water" to bring downtown Joliet's historic Rialto Square Theatre a $5 million state grant, the largest grant in its history, during Friday's news conference inside the Rialto's rotunda. Opening in May 1926, the Rialto is known for its architecture with Greek, Roman and Byzantine influences. "The Rialto Square Theatre is a cultural center in greater Will County," Walsh remarked. "I recognize that the theater's continued success is essential to the area for cultural and entertainment programming for our 86th District, as well as for jobs and the vitality of downtown Joliet." At one point during Friday's news conference, Walsh drew laughter from the crowd when he proclaimed, "It's a wonderful place. When you get Neil Young, I'll be first in line." State Rep. Larry Walsh Jr., D-Elwood, is credited with obtaining a $5 million grant for capital improvements for the Rialto. John Ferak/Patch Bob Filotto, chairman of the Rialto's board, talked about a number of ways the Rialto plans to use the $5 million grant. He also said it may be combined with the $1.4 million Shuttered Venue Operator's Grant that the Rialto was awarded last August. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rialto was not able to hold performances for roughly 18 months. Filotto said the Rialto theater needs a new roof, and the Rialto's insurance policy faces a significant increase because the theater does not have a sprinkler system. The $5 million grant can be used to install sprinklers, Filotto said. Funds are also expected to be used to replace the theater's nearly 2,000 seats between the main level and the balcony. And there's the issue of the bathrooms. Filotto said the Rialto intends to triple the size of the women's restroom facilities and double the size of the men's bathrooms. The men's bathrooms could get relocated to the other side of the theater as part of the capital improvements for the Rialto, Filotto said. Filotto said he was not sure if he could put into the words the importance of Friday's announcement. He told everyone that $5 million is certainly a lot of money. State Rep. Natalie Manley speaks at Friday's news conference announcing the $5 million grant for the Rialto. John Ferak/Patch Democratic State Rep. Natalie Manley reminded Friday's crowd of the numerous legendary performers who have performed on stage at Joliet's Rialto since 1926. "From Red Skelton to Wayne Newton to Engelbert Humperdinck, but it's also a place where Lynne Lichtenauer met Lorin Lynch. It's a place where romance and love started," Manley remarked. "Whenever Lynne would walk into this place, she was a part of it. It was a part of her. I don't think she was ever as happy as when she was in here. It was everything to her. "So, seeing the money being spent at a place that is a place where romance blooms, she would tell us the story of how she met Lorin on the stairs in those white shorts," Manley continued, drawing several laughs from the crowd. Image via John Ferak/Patch Image via John Ferak/Patch