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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to recognize the 90th anniversary of the 
4Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, The Rialto Square Theatre, the "Jewel of Joliet", 
6opened on May 24, 1926 as a vaudeville and silent movie palace; 
7it was built by the Ruben brothers in under two and a half 
8years at a cost of approximately $3 million dollars; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Seven different styles of architecture are 
10incorporated into the Rialto: Italian Renaissance, Greek, 
11Roman, Byzantine, Rococo, Venetian, and Baroque; the 
12architects were brothers, C.W. and George Rapp, who designed 
13the Chicago, State, Lake, Oriental, Paradise, Granada, Tivoli, 
14and Uptown Theaters, the Trianon Ballroom, and the Paramount 
15Arts Center, in Aurora; the sculptor was Eugene Romeo, who also 
16designed the facade of the Civic Opera House and did the 
17sculpturing on the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, the 
18Merchandise Mart, the Wrigley Building, Soldier Field, and 
19Marshall Field's flagship store; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, A restored Rialto Square Theatre opened on 
21November 27, 1981 after one and a half years of work at a cost 
22of $7 million dollars; and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, For the past three decades, the Rialto Square 
2Theatre has served as a foundation for the economic 
3revitalization of downtown Joliet and has hosted tens of 
4thousands of people annually who enjoy attending the events and 
5performances held there; and
 
  
6    WHEREAS, The Rialto Square Theatre has over 250 volunteers 
7known as the Penguins due to their black and white uniforms; 
8they serve as ushers, ticket takers, program passers, and 
9perform numerous other duties; they staff the theatre for all 
10events and sometimes perform clerical duties and conduct 
11fundraisers; since 1988, the Penguins have raised over $750,000 
12dollars; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, The staff of the Rialto Square Theatre has planned 
14special programs, activities, and tours for all to enjoy to 
15celebrate the anniversary and look toward the future; 
16therefore, be it
  
 
17    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
18NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
19recognize the 90th anniversary of the Rialto Square Theatre and 
20wish it many more successful years; and be it further
  
 
21    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
 
 
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1presented to the staff of the Rialto Square Theatre as an 
2expression of our esteem and respect.