Joliet Prison Gets Visit From City Leaders Who See Site As Tourism Draw

JOLIET, IL - This massive limestone fortress on Collins Street is not Alcatraz, and it won't be confused with Folsom Prison where Johnny Cash recorded his legendary live album. But, thanks to Jake and Elwood, the old Joliet Prison is regarded as one of the most famous penal institutions in the world. Now, more than ever, there's a momentum building in Joliet to turn the shuttered prison into an international tourism boom.

At 11 a.m. Thursday, a group of Joliet officials are set to go behind the walls to get a first-hand tour of the present condition of the empty prison buildings. Both the city and Joliet Area Historical Museum have permission from the Illinois Department of Corrections to assess the property. At the moment, Joliet can't proceed with any grand redevelopment plans because the land remains owned by the state's prison system.

From Joliet's viewpoint, a handful of issues need clarity, said Steve Jones, the city's economic development director. "What is the cost of maintaining this, what about security and what's the ultimate use?" Jones asked.

But unlike some city officials from decades past, Jones is a huge proponent of embracing his city's connection to the old Joliet Prison. The towering structure opened back in 1858. It's the institution made world-famous thanks to the 1980 crime comedy starring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi.

"This is one of those institutions that literally defines Joliet's older history," Jones said.

Among the ideas being floated is whether part of the prison property could be used for overnight guest stays, tour groups and perhaps as a haunted house-themed attraction, Jones said. But all of that remains to be seen, he acknowledged.

Still, Jones wants the city to give serious consideration to exploring whether the long-abandoned prison can be turned into an asset in the near future. The longer the slice of Joliet's history sits vacant, the more it falls into ruins. One of its buildings was the site of a fire in May.

"We're branded by Blues Brothers. It's here, and it's there to take advantage of it," Jones said. "It's all dependent on the city making the move toward acquisition, which still is in the discussions stage."

Greg Peerbolte, executive director of the Joliet Area Historical Museum, views the purpose of Thursday's tour is to give city officials "an accurate picture of the reality of the site."

"Right now, we don't know what's inside the buildings or the shape of the buildings," Peerbolte said.

Do some prison buildings need to minor repairs? Are some prison structures better off being demolished for safety and liability reasons? Those are unanswered questions that need to be assessed, he said.

"Some buildings may not stay at all or maybe they are sold to a developer," Peerbolte said. "I know this is a polarizing topic, but I have got to commend the Mayor (Bob O'Dekirk) for taking a hard look at this. This just can't be something that gets kicked down the road."

Believe it or not, Peerbolte noted, one of the most popular questions fielded by Joliet's museum is "how do we get into the Joliet Prison?"

In recent years, he's toured the empty prison grounds a handful of times. He believes Thursday's event will be eye-opening for city officials who participate in the tour.

"It's really a fascinating visit," he said. "There is a wow factor. Long-term, I see revenue opportunities for our organization. It's an iconic structure. Let's make that iconic structure work for us. Turn that interest into revenue."

Image via Joliet Patch Editor John Ferak