HR1280 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1280 LRB099 21962 MST 48981 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the 90th anniversary of the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet; and

WHEREAS, The Rialto Square Theatre, the "Jewel of Joliet", opened on May 24, 1926 as a vaudeville and silent movie palace; it was built by the Ruben brothers in under two and a half years at a cost of approximately $3 million dollars; and

WHEREAS, Seven different styles of architecture are incorporated into the Rialto: Italian Renaissance, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Rococo, Venetian, and Baroque; the architects were brothers, C.W. and George Rapp, who designed the Chicago, State, Lake, Oriental, Paradise, Granada, Tivoli, and Uptown Theaters, the Trianon Ballroom, and the Paramount Arts Center, in Aurora; the sculptor was Eugene Romeo, who also designed the facade of the Civic Opera House and did the sculpturing on the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, the Merchandise Mart, the Wrigley Building, Soldier Field, and Marshall Field's flagship store; and

WHEREAS, A restored Rialto Square Theatre opened on November 27, 1981 after one and a half years of work at a cost of $7 million dollars; and

WHEREAS, For the past three decades, the Rialto Square Theatre has served as a foundation for the economic revitalization of downtown Joliet and has hosted tens of thousands of people annually who enjoy attending the events and performances held there; and

WHEREAS, The Rialto Square Theatre has over 250 volunteers known as the Penguins due to their black and white uniforms; they serve as ushers, ticket takers, program passers, and perform numerous other duties; they staff the theatre for all events and sometimes perform clerical duties and conduct fundraisers; since 1988, the Penguins have raised over $750,000 dollars; and

WHEREAS, The staff of the Rialto Square Theatre has planned special programs, activities, and tours for all to enjoy to celebrate the anniversary and look toward the future; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the 90th anniversary of the Rialto Square Theatre and wish it many more successful years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the staff of the Rialto Square Theatre as an expression of our esteem and respect.