Located 40 miles southwest of Chicago, on I-55, Joliet (population 106,221) was named for French explorer Louis Jolliet, who first saw the site in 1673. Much of the city’s income over the past 100 years has revolved around the shipping industry. The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal is the passageway for a huge amount of barge traffic, while the Brandon Road Locks, just south of the city, is one of the busiest in the nation.

Today, income is brought in through riverboat gambling. Illinois legalized this form of gambling in the 1990s and Joliet was one of the first cities to take advantage. Two riverboats are docked on the Des Plaines River to allow easy access for those who want to try their hand at blackjack or roulette.

Visitors interested in the city’s history should visit the Rialto Square Theater. Built in 1926, this vaudeville/movie theater is a reminder of the days when going to an evening’s entertainment was a special event. Residents refer to it as a palace—the original design was patterned on the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, France. Beautifully restored and refurbished, the theater seats almost 2,000 and is used for concerts, plays, and ballet.

Joliet is served by trains and buses as well as commuter trains that run out of Chicago. I-55 and I-80 out of Chicago are the city’s major thoroughfares.