Joliet Mayor Tom Giarrante visited Joliet Job Corps on May 24. He won the April election among a field of nine candidates; this is the first time Joliet has had a new mayor in more than 20 years.

Mr. Giarrante is a retired firefighter, owns his own barbershop, and has been a councilman for more than 20 years. A proud Italian, he informed us, “My wife and I will be celebrating our 50th anniversary this year!” Non-residential students Shantae Clayton, Chris Craig and Danny Johnson gave the Mayor a tour of the facility. The Mayor stopped to say hello in several classrooms.

It appears that the Mayor has hit the ground running as he is familiar with the issues, having been on the council for so many years. Joliet Job Corps is privileged that he came to visit within his first month in office.