Great Joliet Prison Break-In Raises Another $80,000

JOLIET, IL — The second annual Great Joliet Prison Break-In event drew a turnout exceeding 2,000 people and the event has raised an estimated $80,000 for the ongoing restoration efforts of the previously abandoned prison fortress along Collins Street, according to Greg Peerbolte, executive director of the Joliet Area Historical Museum.

Peerbolte termed last Saturday's event another big success, pointing out that everyone he talked with had positive things to say. The main music acts of the night were The Ides of March and their lead singer, Jim Peterik, who was also in Survivor. One of Peterik's final songs he played for the crowd was "Eye of the Tiger."

The night cap, The Nikki Hill Band, also provided a tremendous live show, Peerbolte said.

"I feel great about it," he remarked.

In August 2018, the first-ever Great Joliet Prison Break-In event drew about 3,500 and raised nearly $135,000. Peerbolte pointed out, however, that the 2018 event marked the very first time that people were ever allowed inside the prison for sightseeing.

Since then, the Joliet Museum has opened up the Old Joliet Prison for regular tour groups, beginning last fall and resuming this spring and continuing through this fall.

The prison property tours last about 90 minutes and take place four days a week.

This weekend, the Great Joliet Prison Break-In was also competing with the always popular Will County Celtic Fest at Joliet's St. Joe's Park. Plus, thousands of people drove to Tinley Park for the Hootie & The Blowfish concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater.

In both years, the Great Joliet Prison Break-In was only open to adults 21 and older, but that may change.

"Overall, I think we met and exceeded the expectations of our guests," Peerbolte told Joliet Patch this week. "I think next year we are going to look at doing a more inclusive all-ages event, getting families there at least part of the day. And there's also been talk about making it a multi-day event, perhaps a two-day event."

Activity so far at the Old Joliet Prison:

• There have been 5,335 paid tour guests, approximately 1,000 paid guests per month
• 202 public tours so far
• Gross receipts from prison tours have generated $105,000
• Paid tour guests have come from as far away as: United Kingdom, Sweden, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, Netherlands, China, Canada and Slovakia.
• 500 prison tour tickets have been sold to a Chinese tour agency
• 6 film production companies have used the Joliet Prison, generating another $12,000 in fees and additional marketing exposure.
• An extensive feature story about the Old Joliet Prison appeared in The Washington Post.

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What's ahead for the Old Joliet Prison in the future?

• 87 public tour events still remain in 2019
• 8 additional film permit applications are pending review, including 14-day and 30-day productions.
• A 3-day Halloween Haunted House history event, "Behind the Bars at Joliet" will take place Oct. 25-27. It's estimated to generate another $65,000 in net revenue, according to the museum.
• Burnt District Artist auction will be take place on Dec. 6.