Residential and commercial construction increased and racing tracks, a baseball stadium, and several civic works developed as a result of the booming economy.
[11] After high school, he served four years in the United States Navy during the Korean War.
[3][13] Schultz suffered congestive heart failure on November 14, 2011, which required hospital care.
[4] At the time of the non-partisan February 26, 1991, mayoral primary election, the Chicago Tribune described Joliet as suffering from a stagnant economy and sagging population.
[36] During the 1990s, Joliet was one of the fastest-growing cities in the state, and in 2000 its residential and commercial construction were at record-setting levels, according to Schultz.
[37][38] Schultz also credited gambling revenues with having enabled the city to halt tax increases for a decade and to build a new police station and three new firehouses.
[8] In 1999, the Joliet City Council approved the construction of the Chicagoland Speedway on 930 acres (3.76 km2) of land next to the Route 66 Raceway.
[8] Under Schultz, the city ended nearly 150 years as a prison town with the closure of the Joliet Correctional Center and focused its economy on entertainment and tourism.
[7] In the early 1990s the city annexed 55 acres (0.22 km2) for the construction of the Empress Riverboat Casino complex.
[41][42][43] In 2001, the city acquired 12 parcels totaling 8 acres (32,000 m2) through expedited condemnations to build Silver Cross Field.
[2] Silver Cross Field, which was built in 2002 to host the Joliet Jackhammers of the Northern League is located at 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive.