JOLIET – State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) toured the Rialto Square Theater in Joliet on Monday afternoon in an effort to bring attention to local venues whose operations have suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Rialto opened in 1926 and has been a pillar of our community ever since,” Connor said. “It’s been hard to see so many local theaters unable to open for business because of the pandemic, and facing a lot of financial struggles as a result.”

The Rialto Theatre is not currently open for shows due to COVID-19 capacity limitations, but continues to be maintained by the Will County Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority.

“Once those constraints are lifted, I certainly hope that people return to this beautiful Joliet landmark and ensure its continued vitality as the heart of downtown Joliet,” Connor said. “The Rialto holds a great deal of rich community history and I look forward to seeing it return to its pre-pandemic glory.”

Those wishing to learn more about the history of the Rialto Square Theatre can visit rialtosquare.com.

SPRINGFIELD – Any municipality seeking to privatize its water company will be required to first receive approval from voters if Senate Bill 164 becomes law. State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport), sponsor of SB 164, joined the Citizens Utility Board and AFSCME to discuss the measure in a press conference Monday morning.

“There are communities right now in Illinois who have been fighting to get back control of their water systems from private companies, and they're not winning on behalf of their citizens,” Connor said. “Illinois private water companies are seeing record profits as a result of legislation that opened an express lane up for them to acquire public water systems from towns and villages.”

CREST HILL – Will County has been slated to receive just shy of $4 million in funding for construction projects over the next three years, State Senator John Connor (D-Crest Hill) announced.

“This funding will bring jobs to the Joliet, Bolingbrook, and Romeoville areas for the next few years and will result in reliable infrastructure throughout the county for years to come,” said Connor. “Not only will we have the opportunity to strengthen our roads and bridges thanks to these grants, but we will be able to strengthen our communities and our economy.”

As the new session begins, the Senate is pleased to welcome four new members to the body. They bring a range of professional and personal experience as well as valuable subject matter knowledge, and we can’t wait to see what they will contribute to our work for the people of Illinois.