The City of Joliet has approved a professional services agreement with Preservation Futures to conduct a study not to exceed $135,000 that will provide a comprehensive history of the community’s African American community from the first residents to the late 20th century.
The Joliet City Council in February also learned that the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office has awarded a matching grant of $21,000 to fund a context study of the integral role African Americans played in the history of the community.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources administered the grant. Project goals include documenting Black history in an accurate narrative; acknowledging racial injustice using history; recognizing historic properties important to the Black community; challenging misinformation about the Black experience; and recording Black voices for future generations, according to the resolution adopted back in February.
Recognizing that this project needs to include areas outside Joliet limits to be comprehensive and meaningful, city officials sought a partnership with Will County, Joliet Township and Lockport Township as some older neighborhoods like Fairmont, Manningdale and Preston Heights are under the guidance of these governmental entities.
The resolution also stated that the City of Joliet and the other governmental units will enter into a cost-sharing agreement to further conduct the study, so it is more inclusive and equitable.
As part of the agreement approved Tuesday, the firm will work with city staff to prepare a community engagement study that will prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion. Outreach activities will consist of at least two public presentations on topics derived from the findings of the project. In addition to the presentations, the goal will also be to schedule three in-person community meetings or information-gathering exercises to garner feedback and collect data in a historic context.
“Anticipated historic themes will likely include African American settlement patterns over time, occupational characteristics, development of civic and social institutions, development of the community ‘s business and professional sectors, social and economic status of African American community and the dynamics of structural racism present in Joliet over time,” according to information included in the contract.
Jayne Bernhard, city planner and liaison to the historic preservation commission, said the study has been endorsed by African American business leaders in Joliet.
“This context study will include research as well as input from the Black community in Joliet,” she said. “This study will not sit on the shelf” as Bernhard said public presentations will be made once the study is completed.
