Governor Appoints First Rialto Board Member

Just weeks after the previous board approved a $500,000 funding agreement with the City of Joliet and then abruptly resigned, Gov. Bruce Rauner has appointed the first new Rialto Square Theatre board member.

Joliet accountant Robert Filotto – who previously served on the board from 1988 to 1996 – was appointed last week to the Will County Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority.

According to the City of Joliet, the governor is to appoint three members to the board, which oversees the historic theater’s operations. The remaining four members are to be appointed by Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk.

Filotto owns Filotto Professional Services in Joliet and previously was the CFO and president of Kinetic Systems in Lockport and president of UIC, Inc. in Joliet.

The theater, built in 1926, has faced turmoil in recent years, including controversy over a donated marquee and financial woes – so much so that Joliet City Council member Brook Hernandez Brewer pronounced the theater “already closed” late last year.

Hernandez Brewer and fellow council member Larry Hug were outvoted 6-2 to approve an intergovernmental agreement giving the theater another $500,000 in funding this year.

O’Dekirk – who said the city has poured $18 million into the Rialto over the last 30 years – is reportedly reviewing resumes for other candidates for the authority board. He told the Times Weekly he plans to present four candidates for city council approval at its Jan. 17 meeting.

Related:

• Rialto Gets Thumbs Down From Joliet
  
• Rialto Theatre Owes Over $100K in Unpaid Payroll Taxes
  
• Would-Be Donor: Rialto Turned Down $350,000 Offer for New Marquee
  
• Rialto Marquee Donor Asks for His Money Back
• Plans for New Rialto Marquee Draw Criticism