'Bill Murray Was Our First Guest, Who Would Have Thought That?' Banks Bridal Suites & Lodging Opens In Joliet

JOLIET, IL — Last week, countless people who attended the historic Big House Ballgame inside the 1858-era Old Joliet Prison took selfies and shared laughs with world-famous comedian and Hollywood acting legend Bill Murray, part-owner of the Joliet Slammers baseball team. But when Murray wasn't posing for photographs, he needed a place to relax, to unwind, to shoot a game of pool and to get a good night's sleep in a comfy bed.

And that's where Kenny Banks, Lockport High School class of 1984 graduate and a former U.S. Olympic track and field athlete, enters the story.

Seven years after Joliet Patch first profiled Banks following his purchase of a three-story apartment building in downtown Joliet, Banks has remodeled 317 N. Chicago St., transforming his facade into The Banks Bridal Suites & Lodging. He just celebrated a ribbon-cutting event with the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce.

And last week, when the Hollywood movie star traveled to Joliet to enjoy the festivities at The Old Joliet Prison, that's where Kenny Banks came into play.

The Banks Bridal Suites & Lodging features seven functional suites that range in size from one bedroom to four.

"And Bill Murray was our first guest; who would have thought that?" Kenny Banks said with a smile during Friday's interview with Joliet Patch's editor. "He fits in down here. He's an easy-going guy. Here, he can be himself and he's out of the limelight."

Having a Hollywood celebrity stay at his lodging suite is a remarkable accomplishment for Banks. After all, Murray's movie credits include "Groundhog Day," "Kingpin," "The Royal Tenenbaums," "Little Shop of Horrors," "Stripes," Scrooged," "Tootsie," "Caddyshack," "Ghostbusters," What About Bob?" and the list goes on and on.

Joliet Patch asked how Banks managed to draw Murray to stay at The Banks.

"I met Night Train Veeck (part-owner of the Joliet Slammers) and he toured the building, and (former) Senator Pat McGuire, who's good friends with Bill Murray, said Bill's going for the game as part-owner, and he would love to stay at your place," Banks said of the sequence of events. "That was pretty much it."

Given that the Rialto Square Theatre is only three blocks down the street, Banks said he's hoping to draw a number of world-famous performers to stay at The Banks in the months and years ahead.

He said he's hoping to attract Star Trek legend William Shatner, who will perform at the Rialto on Oct. 29.

"I envision this place becoming corporate housing for NASCAR, where they can have people over and entertain guests and not have to worry," Banks said.

And now, The Banks features seven functional suites. The final two suites, on the basement level, could be finished and ready for guests by the end of the year, Banks explained.

So far, The Banks is off to a sizzling start.

Banks said they have already booked 15 brides with wedding parties for 2027.

"So bridal parties are taking everything," he remarked. "People will tell people. It just creates a better organic growth."

The first wedding party that will stay at The Banks is set for the weekend of June 25-26.

He wants people to know that The Banks is available for travelers making the Historic Route 66 pilgrimage across the U.S.

"We've had three calls today and one showing for tomorrow," Banks told Joliet Patch during the interview. "We're averaging about one to two showings every weekend."

Banks said he's thrilled with the progress he has made since he first acquired 317 N. Chicago St., buying the property in 2018.

"This place was an eyesore, and a lot of transients were around. The city wanted it torn down; this building sits on the front of Chicago Street, and it's a good corner piece," he said.

Banks said he fully renovated three of the units into apartments, but then in 2020, "COVID came and that slowed us down."

About a year ago, he decided to renovate the building and turn it into The Banks Bridal Suites & Lodging.

"I said, there is a need, let's do bridal suites," he exclaimed. "Any weddings within a 30-mile radius could stay here."

"We envision this being a place where the mayor of Joliet or Will County (government) can have people coming in, talking about the growth of downtown. What better place to stay in than here? You get to feel the pulse of the downtown and see the environment."

Banks has named the different rooms inside The Banks after many of his dear family members, including several who have passed away.

"We've still got two to name, so we'll figure that out," he explained. "We hope to have those done by the end of the year."

As for Banks himself, he was a remarkable athlete at Lockport High School. He still holds his high school's high-jump record of 6 feet 10 inches, more than 40 years after graduating.

He and Ron Coomer, the Chicago Cubs baseball announcer and former Major League Baseball All-Star, remain close friends. They hung together at last week's Big House Ballgame.

Banks competed professionally in track and field from 1986 until 1996 and tried out for the U.S. Olympic team in 1988 and 1992, competing with world-famous record holders such as Carl Lewis, Edwin Moses and Ben Johnson. He also coached track and field and football in the late 1980s and early 1990s back at Lockport High School.

In training for the U.S. Olympics, Banks said his personal best was clearing 7 feet 6 inches in the high jump.

Banks said two people have been incredibly instrumental in helping with the successful launch of The Banks Bridal Suites & Lodging in Joliet's downtown: Jonathan Bailey, an award-winning interior designer and decorator who grew up in Joliet, and Thalia Duke, who is project manager for The Banks.

And now that he has had a world-famous guest stay at his residence, Banks said he's inclined to name something in his building in honor of the movie legend to make his return visits to Joliet more memorable.

Last week, Banks and Murray played two friendly games of pool in The Reed Room, where Murray stayed for two nights before leaving town after The Big House Ballgame.

"We're definitely going to create a wall of fame with the celebrities who stay here," Banks promised.

The Reed Room is the only room that features a billiards table.

"Bill likes to play pool. It was one to one. We split," Banks remarked. "He texted me this morning, 'Till the rematch.'"

Banks said he welcomes Murray as his guest anytime Murray intends to visit Joliet to watch the Joliet Slammers play.

"I'm thinking of calling it Bill's Bedroom or Murray's Billiard Room," Banks shared. "I feel like he really loves the organization and being a part-owner. He's a hard worker."

TO LEARN MORE: The Banks Bridal Suites & Lodging can be reached by phone at 815-214-9217. The website is bankssuites.com According to its marketing brochure, amenities include: a bridal suite and groom's lounge, late check out and early-check, beauty salon on site and on-site parking. The Banks noted it has several great restaurants nearby including CUT 158 Chophouse, Mousa, Juliet's Tavern, Jitters Coffee House and Social Butterfly Coffee.