After helping the nearly broke Rialto Square Theater through still another financial crisis, the executive director of the theater’s landlord-the Will County Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority-has quit.
Joseph Mikan, former county auditor, said he will step down from his post as soon as a replacement is named by Gov. Jim Edgar.
In a letter to Will County Republican Chairman Jerry Kinney, Mikan noted that his four-year term expired several months ago and that the press of business made it “increasingly difficult” for him to put in the extra time needed for the theater.
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In recent months, Mikan led the theater’s controversial requests for more money, including a $1.16 million bond issue and additional subsidies from the city of Joliet of $82,000 and $130,000 to pay bills.
“I’m not leaving immediately,” said Mikan. “I could be around another 90 to 120 days, but I didn’t want to be living in limbo another year.”
Mikan said he believed the Rialto Theater was “better off now” than it had been in the past. In addition to the bond issue, Mikan said the theater has paid off some of its outstanding bills, been able to get about $30,000 in monthly rentals, established an escrow account and cut its staff.