Joliet (/ˈdʒoʊliɛt, ˌdʒoʊliˈɛt/ JOH-lee-et, -⁠ET) is a city in Will and Kendall counties in the U.S. state of Illinois, 35 miles (56 km) southwest of Chicago.

[4][5] In 1673, Louis Jolliet, along with Father Jacques Marquette, paddled up the Des Plaines River and camped on a huge earthwork mound, a few miles south of present-day Joliet.

[6] Maps from Jolliet's exploration of the area showed a large hill or mound down river from Chicago, labeled Mont Joliet.

In 1833, following the Black Hawk War, Charles Reed built a cabin along the west side of the Des Plaines River.

Across the river in 1834, James B. Campbell, treasurer of the canal commissioners, laid out the village of "Juliet", a corruption of "Joliet" that was also in use at the time.

Cornelius Covenhoven Van Horne was active in getting the city its first charter, and because of this, he was elected Joliet's first mayor.

Many stores relocated to the west side in new strip malls and shopping centers with more parking and easier access.

This has given rise to a newly referenced "Central Joliet" portion of the city, which essentially is all land west of the Des Plaines River and east of Interstate 55.

The spiritual community in Joliet welcomes newcomers with open arms, offering regular worship services and religious education.

Like many Midwestern and East Coast cities dependent on manufacturing industries, Joliet has experienced past economic troubles.

The 1999 film Stir of Echoes starring Kevin Bacon had scenes shot on at the Rialto Square Theatre (the hypnotism scenes in which James saw the word "Dig" on the movie screen), at the corner of Scott Street and Washington, and at the old Menards that took over the Wieboldt's building at Jefferson Square Mall.

[22] According to the city's 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[23] the largest employers in the city are: The Rialto Square Theatre, a favorite haunt of Al Capone and filming location for scenes from Kevin Bacon's film Stir of Echoes, is on Chicago Street, downtown.

Designed by G. Julian Barnes and built of limestone in 1891, it was controversial as one of the first buildings to combine religious, civic, and commercial uses.

[27] The Jacob A. Henry Mansion, 20 South Eastern Avenue, is a three-story, red-brick, Second Empire/Italian Renaissance-style structure built on a Joliet limestone foundation in 1873 (completed in 1876).

The structure is set on bedrock and the entire basement floor is made of Joliet limestone from the building owner's quarry.

[28] The interior of the Jacob A. Henry Mansion has elaborate polished-walnut woodwork, massive, carved pocket doors, original wood mantles, and a solid-walnut staircase.

[34] Joliet is the home of the University of St Francis athletics, nicknamed the Fighting Saints.

During major races, the large influx of fans means that the number of people in the city is double that of the official figure.

Next door to the Speedway, the Route 66 Raceway features National Hot Rod Association events on its drag strip.

Joliet Central has become actively involved in Route 66 by building an alternative fuel vehicle.

Hammel Woods is also located in Joliet with miles of hiking trails and even a seven-acre dog park.

[41] Situated about 40 miles (64 km) southwest of central Chicago, Joliet has long been a significant transportation hub.

The Chicago & Rock Island Railroad and Michigan Central came through in the 1850s, and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and Chicago & Alton Railroad soon followed, with the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway and Milwaukee Road lines built around the turn of the century.

Joliet Transportation Center is the final stop on the Metra rail lines from Chicago for the Heritage Corridor route from Chicago Union Station and the Rock Island District route from LaSalle Street Station.

Amtrak serves Joliet Union Station daily via its Lincoln Service and Texas Eagle routes.

Lewis University Airport is located to the north in the nearby village of Romeoville and is owned by the Joliet Regional Port District.

In September 2008, Silver Cross Hospital broke ground for a new facility on Maple Road (U.S. Route 6) in New Lenox, immediately west of Interstate 355.