For Immediate Release:                                                      

March 27, 2025

City of Joliet Committee Approves Measure to Support Downtown Businesses

Joliet, IL –The City of Joliet’s Land Use & Economic Development Committee is recommending approval by the full City Council of a measure aimed at financially supporting downtown businesses during the ongoing construction.

Last December, the Joliet City Council approved a resolution creating the Chicago Street Business Continuity Grant Program. The program provides financial assistance to businesses impacted by the construction projects within a certain geographic area that began in May 2024.

Neighboring Lockport implemented a similar program to Joliet’s, which helped keep businesses operational during construction.

Businesses affected by the construction may apply for financial assistance through an application process. Applicants are eligible for assistance of up to 50% of their lost tax-generating sales, with a cap of $100,000 per year.

To date, the city has assisted six local businesses with grant amounts of less than $25,000, ranging from as low as $5,500 to approximately $20,600. These grants were authorized by the City Manager, who has the authority to approve expenditures under $25,000.

The Land Use & Economic Development Committee led by Chairman Cesar Cardenas, also includes Councilmen Cesar Guerrero and Pat Mudron. Although Mudron was unable to attend the meeting, both Cardenas and Guerrero received an overview of the city’s program from Economic Development Director Paulina Martínez, before unanimously recommending approval of the proposed grants.

The committee was asked to consider the approval of two grants exceeding the $25,000 threshold. Martínez discussed the two applications, one from Cut 158 and one from Juliet’s Tavern, both located on Chicago Street. “Cut 158 is requesting $52,770.84, and Juliet’s would receive $32,747.95 to provide additional financial support due to the ongoing construction,” explained Martínez.

Chairman Cesar Cardenas emphasized the need to approve the grants to keep local businesses afloat as the construction of Chicago Street continues, with completion expected by the end of 2025. “We need to retain these businesses, which not only create jobs but also generate sales tax revenue for the city,” added Cardenas.

# # #

About the City of Joliet

The City of Joliet is located in Will and Kendall counties in the State of Illinois, 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will County. At the 2020 census, the city was the third largest in Illinois, with a population of 150,362. For more information about the city, visit https://www.joliet.gov.

Media Contact: Rosemaria DiBenedetto, Media Engagement and Communications Director, Cell: 847-269-5556 or email: rdibenedetto@joliet.gov.

For Immediate Release:                                                      

March 27, 2025

City of Joliet Committee Approves Measure to Support Downtown Businesses

Joliet, IL –The City of Joliet’s Land Use & Economic Development Committee is recommending approval by the full City Council of a measure aimed at financially supporting downtown businesses during the ongoing construction.

Last December, the Joliet City Council approved a resolution creating the Chicago Street Business Continuity Grant Program. The program provides financial assistance to businesses impacted by the construction projects within a certain geographic area that began in May 2024.

Neighboring Lockport implemented a similar program to Joliet’s, which helped keep businesses operational during construction.

Businesses affected by the construction may apply for financial assistance through an application process. Applicants are eligible for assistance of up to 50% of their lost tax-generating sales, with a cap of $100,000 per year.

To date, the city has assisted six local businesses with grant amounts of less than $25,000, ranging from as low as $5,500 to approximately $20,600. These grants were authorized by the City Manager, who has the authority to approve expenditures under $25,000.

The Land Use & Economic Development Committee led by Chairman Cesar Cardenas, also includes Councilmen Cesar Guerrero and Pat Mudron. Although Mudron was unable to attend the meeting, both Cardenas and Guerrero received an overview of the city’s program from Economic Development Director Paulina Martínez, before unanimously recommending approval of the proposed grants.

The committee was asked to consider the approval of two grants exceeding the $25,000 threshold. Martínez discussed the two applications, one from Cut 158 and one from Juliet’s Tavern, both located on Chicago Street. “Cut 158 is requesting $52,770.84, and Juliet’s would receive $32,747.95 to provide additional financial support due to the ongoing construction,” explained Martínez.

Chairman Cesar Cardenas emphasized the need to approve the grants to keep local businesses afloat as the construction of Chicago Street continues, with completion expected by the end of 2025. “We need to retain these businesses, which not only create jobs but also generate sales tax revenue for the city,” added Cardenas.

# # #

About the City of Joliet

The City of Joliet is located in Will and Kendall counties in the State of Illinois, 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will County. At the 2020 census, the city was the third largest in Illinois, with a population of 150,362. For more information about the city, visit https://www.joliet.gov.

Media Contact: Rosemaria DiBenedetto, Media Engagement and Communications Director, Cell: 847-269-5556 or email: rdibenedetto@joliet.gov.