Joliet Theater Needs Repairs

The historic Rialto Square Theatre in Rialto Square Theatre, Ill., needs repairs after a heat pump busted and damaged office space.

– Rialto Square Theatre

Joe Carlasare, chairman of a newly formed real estate committee that met after the heat pump burst, will present a list of repairs totaling $500,000 to fellow board members. The list includes a leaking cooling tower that could cost up to $110,000 to replace.

The $500,000 is equal to the annual city subsidy that is the theatre’s primary source of funding.

The Rialto board is seeking a new source of money. It held a meeting in July to explore the possibility of a Rialto tax that could be a food and beverage tax, sales tax or hotel tax.