Rialto Gets 'Significant' Grant For Safety Improvements

JOLIET, IL — One day after booking the legendary rock band Chicago to perform in the spring, officials at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet announced their largest grant in several years. The $32,000 contribution is from the Dunham Fund of Aurora. The money will fund safety improvements at the 93-year-old downtown Joliet landmark, including new exterior doors, a security system, and other safety additions.

“This grant represents so much more than simply a generous donation. It will serve as a catalyst to encourage support for the Rialto from other foundations, corporations and individuals,” said Rialto’s Executive Director Valerie Devine. “Dunham Fund’s commitment to supporting non-profits is unmatched. We are so grateful and cannot say thank you enough.”

The Rialto said the grant will replace nearly all of the exterior doors to the theater. Existing doors will be installed with push-bars to further Rialto’s commitment to patron safety. A new security system will be installed, representing a tremendous upgrade in overall security and safety for the theatre, the Rialto press release noted.

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“We believe that the arts is a driver of economic development, and this grant supports those efforts in the community,” said Dunham Fund’s Lindsay Cochrane, Program Director.

Tuesday's announcement comes as the Rialto is gearing up for its busiest time of year, winter.

During November, Devine told Joliet Patch, the Rialto has performances booked on Nov. 1, Nov. 3, Nov. 10, Nov. 12 Nov. 14, Nov. 15, Nov. 16, Nov. 18, Nov. 20 and Nov. 29. That list does not the weddings and other private event rentals, Devine noted.

The Nov. 1 concert, "Stars of the Sixties," has already sold 1,800 tickets, Devine said. The Rialto has already sold a total of 3,000 tickets for the Nov. 12 and Nov. 15 shows featuring Theresa Caputo. The Rialto recently added Grammy-Award winning rapper Nelly to perform Nov. 14.

To learn more about the Rialto Square Theatre, visit www.RialtoSquare.com or call 815-726-7171.