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Illinois Movie Theatres (page 10)

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Times Theatre
Rockford, IL

2012:

2024:
The Times Theatre opened in 1938 and closed in 1983. In 1989, it reopened as a restaurant and bar with live entertainment. It has been vacant since at least 2013. In 2024, after receiving $3 million in grants, the theatre was being restored. It will be used as a live entertainment venue. For more, see this website. [map]

Midway Theatre
Rockford, IL
The Midway Theatre opened in 1918. It was last used for live performances but has been vacant since around 2006. For more, see this website. [map]

Coronado Theatre
Rockford, IL
The Coronado Theatre opened in 1927. The atmospheric interior features a lavish castle-like courtyard design and a Barton Organ. The theatre was used for movies and stage shows until the late 1960s. It closed in 1984 and underwent an $18 million renovation. The theatre reopened in 2001 as a performing arts center. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. [map]

Auburn Theatre
Rockford, IL
2011: 2024:
The Auburn Theatre opened in 1942 and closed in 1967. It was converted into retail use after sitting empty for many years. It has been vacant since at least 2018. For more, see this website. [map]

Princess Theatre
Rushville, IL
The Princess Theatre opened in 1917. In 1938, it was renamed the Lloyd Theatre. From 1976-1992, it operated as the Schuy-ville Theatre. Since 1995, it has been operated by City volunteers once again as the Princess Theatre. For more, see this website. [map]

Salem Theatre
Salem, IL
The Salem Theatre opened in 1938 and closed in 1999. It is now known as the Salem Community Theatre and Cultural Center. The theatre is used for live performances and monthly movies. For more, see this website. [map]

Skokie Theatre
Skokie, IL
The Skokie Theatre opened around 1915 as the Niles Center Theatre. It was renamed and remodeled in the 1940s. In 2005, the theatre was converted into a concert venue. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

South Town Theatre
Springfield, IL
The South Town Theatre opened in 1915 as the Empress Theatre. In 1937, it was remodeled and renamed the South Town Theatre. It closed in 1959. It housed Walch Studio Stained Glass from 1981-2024. The building is currently vacant. The facade was restored and neon repaired in 2007. Between 2019 and 2022, the marquee must have been hit by a truck causing the damage to the front portion. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Arcada Theatre
St. Charles, IL
The Arcada Theatre was designed by Elmer F. Behrns and opened in 1926 as a vaudeville theatre. It was remodeled and restored in the 1940s and 1960s. In 1973, the original organ was restored. In 1993, the Arcada was restored to its original appearance. In 2005, it became a performing arts center. These photos are from 2009. By 2012, the sign had been repainted and the readerboard replaced with a digital display. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Elmo Theatre
St. Elmo, IL

2010:
2024:
The Elmo Theatre opened in 1941, replacing a previous theatre with the same name that was destroyed by a fire in 1940. The theatre has been closed since 1979. Renovation work began in 2006. New windows were installed in 2011. For more, see this website. [map]

Sterling Theatre
Sterling, IL
2009: 2024:
The Sterling Theatre was built in 1924 as a vaudeville venue. In 1943, it suffered extensive fire damage. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1944. The theatre closed in 2008. It reopened in 2013. The glass tower is lit in different colors for holidays and other special events. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Majestic Theatre
Streator, IL

2009:
2024:
The Majestic Theatre was built in 1907 as a vaudeville house. It was rebuilt in 1921 and closed in 1927. In 1936, the building was remodeled to its current look and reopened. The theatre closed again in 1955. It reopened and closed many times after that. The building has been vacant since 2015. For more, see this website. [map]

Sycamore:
State Theatre

Taylorville Cinema
Taylorville, IL
2009: 2024:
The Taylorville Cinema opened in 1946 as the Frisnia Theatre. It closed in 1959. It was twinned in 1978 and reopened as the Twin Cinema. The plastic marquee sign was most likely added then. In 2014, it was renamed the Taylorville Cinema. The sign was removed by 2024 and the "CINEMA" letters were added. For more, see this website. [map]

Cinema Theatre
Urbana, IL
The Cinema Theatre opened as the Princess Theatre in 1915. The building itself was constructed in the 1870s and there was originally an opera house there. In 1934, the theatre was completely remodeled in the Art Deco style. In 1949, a new marquee was added. In 1966, it became the Cinema Theatre. The theatre closed in 1994 and the lobby was converted into the Cinema Cafe. Since 2001, the theatre has housed the Cinema Gallery. For more, see this website. [map]

Liberty Theatre
Vandalia, IL
The Liberty Theatre opened around 1910 as the Dixie Theatre. It was remodeled in the 1930s and renamed the Liberty Theatre. The theatre has been closed since 2008. For more, see this website. [map]

Watseka Theatre
Watseka, IL
The Watseka Theatre opened in 1931 and closed in 1998. In 2007, a new owner began restoring the theatre and it reopened a year later. It is now used as a performing arts venue. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Wheaton Grand Theatre
Wheaton, IL
The Wheaton Grand Theatre opened in 1925. It closed in the late 1990s. It reopened in 2002 and closed in 2006. A new owner in 2012 planned to restore the theatre. These photos are from then. By 2016, the signs readerboards had been replaced with plastic panels. The theatre remains vacant. For more, see this website. [map]

Mar Theatre
Wilmington, IL
The Mar Theatre opened in 1937. In the late 1990s, a second auditorium was created out of upstairs storage space. The theatre is still operating. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Paramount Theatre
Wyoming, IL
The Paramount Theatre building was constructed in 1886. By 2013, the ground floor was operating as the Star Theatre. The Paramount Theatre opened in 1934. The marquee and ticket booth are from then. It closed in 1969. It reopened for a few years in the late 1990s. By 2022, the neon on the marquee had been restored and the theatre was open for live performances and events. For more, see this website. [map]

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