Sema'j, Anthony's, Ace, Stories That Defined Joliet In 2017

JOLIET, IL - 2017 was a year that saw the third largest city in Illinois make gains as a community. The downtown's rebirth included the opening of the new six-story Joliet Junior College culinary arts building. Rialto's Square Theatre made significant strides under its new management team, Iowa-based VenuWorks. In October, the city of Joliet began tearing out the grass at the Joliet Slammers downtown baseball field formerly known as Silver Cross Field. And from now on, the ballpark will be known as Joliet Route 66 Stadium.

In 2018, the ballpark will have field turf, allowing Joliet to use the sports facility for more year-round events including outdoor music concerts.

Downtown Stadium Undergoes Facelift, Gets New Name

Image via City of Joliet

Joliet also celebrated the opening of the city's first microbrewery. In September, the MyGrain Brewing Company opened its doors inside the historic Union Station. The microbrewery, along with its food menu, have been a big hit with customers.

MyGrain Brewing Opens In Historic Union Station

Image via Joliet Patch

Highland Liquors Sells $2 Million Powerball Ticket

One of our favorite human-interest stories from the past year involved a Joliet liquor store on East Cass Street, Highland Liquors. In August, the family-owned store learned that it had sold a $2 million Powerball ticket. Thanks to the store's good fortune, Highland Liquors received a $20,000 bonus from the Illinois Lottery. As of this moment, Illinois lottery officials have not confirmed that the person who bought the winning Powerball ticket at Highland Liquors ever came forward to claim his or her prize.

Without a doubt, 2017 had its share of positives for Joliet, but the year was not without pain and sorrow. Nobody will ever forget the shocking disappearance and grim discovery of 1-year-old Sema'j Crosby underneath a couch at her family's home in Joliet Township. The Will County Sheriff's Department has theorized that one of four women were likely involved in the child's death and hiding her body under the couch. However, the Preston Heights tragedy just marked its eight month of remaining unsolved.

Grandmother Accuses Sema'j Crosby's Mother Of Killing Child

Another revolting crime that shocked the Joliet community's conscience occurred in late August. The Joliet Police Department was called to the Henning home in the 400 block of Reed Street near Glenwood Avenue. Inside, police found the slain bodies of 5-year-old twin sisters, Makayla and Addison, along with their 41-year-old dead mother, Celisa Henning, who left behind a suicide note. The crime was ruled a murder-suicide. "We are not going to be discussing anything in that note ... we're not going to be commenting out of respect for the dad and the grandparents," Deputy Chief of Investigations Al Roechner told Patch at the time.

Celisa Henning Murders Her Twin Girls, Commits Suicide

Barely a week later, the Joliet Police Department was summoned to a home in the Cumberland subdivision. Inside the home on Great Falls Drive were three dead bodies. All three gunshot victims were 22 years old. This crime was ruled to be a triple murder. The crime scene was the family home of murder victim Anthony McGee, who had recently been released from prison. In September, Joliet Police told Patch that they had a person of interest, however, the triple murder remains unsolved, now four months later.

Joliet Police Unable To Solve Triple Murder On Great Falls Drive

Image of McGee via Illinois Department of Corrections

On other matters, Joliet Patch covered several noteworthy business stories over the past year including the closings of the Lone Star Restaurant off Plainfield Road as well as the pair of Certified Foods stores on Joliet's east side. However, the winds of uncertainty now surround the future of one of Joliet's most famous summertime destinations over the past several decades. The long-time owners of Ace Drive-In put their business up for sale this fall. Will Ace find a new owner or are its days numbered? Stay tuned.

Ace Drive-In Put Up For Sale

Image via Joliet Patch

On the political front at Joliet City Hall, there were a number of stories that made headlines. Some were good and some were bad. Of particular note, the city of Joliet hauled in the owners of Anthony's Restaurant & Pub before the city's liquor commission over the summer. By that point, Anthony's had turned into a troublesome bar for the Joliet Police Department. The city finally stepped in after an early morning parking lot brawl outside of Anthony's left two people wounded by gunshots. Since the city of Joliet's intervention, Anthony's has not been the site of any further late-night gun violence since it agreed to close its doors at 2 a.m. on weekends.

Anthony's Restaurant: No More 3 A.M. Closings On Weekends

Image via Joliet Patch

Joliet's John Lausch Picked As Trump's U.S. Attorney For Chicago

Also in 2017, a prominent Joliet Catholic High School graduate, John Lausch, was appointed as the new U.S. Attorney for Chicago. Lausch has had a remarkable career in the legal profession. Many people around Joliet, particularly Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow, were thrilled by the news of Lausch's selection for the highly coveted law and justice position within the federal government.

Image via Kirkland & Ellis law firm

Hawk Auto To Stay In Joliet, Move Out To Wedgewood

Back on the topic of politics, one of the biggest developments at Joliet City Hall surrounded the uncertainty of the Hawk Auto dealerships. Hawk was being courted by Plainfield. However, by the end of summer, a deal was put together involving land deemed expendable at the Joliet Park District's Wedgewood Golf Course. Hawk now plans to move two of its Jefferson Street dealerships out to Route 59 and Caton Farm Road.

Image of Hawk Auto via Google Maps

Joliet Junior College Opens New Event Center On Campus

2017 was a milestone year for Joliet Junior College in terms of capital projects. JJC opened its new six-story culinary arts building in downtown Joliet near the Chicken-N-Spice restaurant. College officials also celebrated the grand opening of the new Events Center at the main campus off Houbolt Road.

Image via Joliet Junior College

Speaking of new buildings, demolition work just started in downtown Joliet at the former First Midwest Bank property. The property near Ottawa Street will turn into the new $215 million Will County Courthouse. Hundreds of Will County politicians, courthouse staff and city of Joliet employees recently braced the cold for an hour-long groundbreaking ceremony. The new 10-story courthouse is expected to finish in 2020.

Groundbreaking Held For 10-Story, $215 Million Will County Courthouse

Image via Joliet Patch