Illinois Theater Manager to Take Over Ownership of Movie Theater

Sam Hampton will assume operational control of the downtown Jacksonville theater starting this Friday.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 9:55am

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Illinois Theater manager Sam Hampton will assume operational ownership of the downtown Jacksonville movie theater starting Friday. Hampton has been the theater's manager since July 2022 and has worked to improve the theater's condition. When the Jacksonville Center for the Arts retracted its bid to purchase the theater, Hampton decided to take over ownership to keep the theater open.

Why it matters

The Illinois Theater has been a longtime fixture in downtown Jacksonville, and its potential closure would have been a significant loss for the community. Hampton's decision to take over ownership ensures the theater will remain open and continue serving local moviegoers.

The details

Hampton has been the manager of the Illinois Theater since July 2022 and has worked to clean up and improve the theater since then. When the Jacksonville Center for the Arts considered purchasing the theater and converting it into an arts center, Eisentraut Theaters, the current owner, had decided to shutter the theater if the group did not buy it. This prompted Hampton to pursue taking over the theater's operations independently.

  • Hampton became the theater's manager in July 2022.
  • The Jacksonville Center for the Arts retracted its bid to purchase the theater in February 2026.
  • Hampton will officially take over ownership of the theater on Friday, March 17, 2026.

The players

Sam Hampton

The new owner and manager of the Illinois Theater in downtown Jacksonville, Illinois.

Eisentraut Theatres

The current owner of the Illinois Theater, which had decided to close the theater if the Jacksonville Center for the Arts did not purchase it.

Jacksonville Center for the Arts

A local arts organization that had considered purchasing the Illinois Theater and converting it into an arts center, but ultimately retracted its bid.

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What they’re saying

“I decided I was going to make it my focus, on top of my other job duties.”

— Sam Hampton, Theater Manager (myjournalcourier.com)

“It told me that there was definitely enough people — just on the Facebook comments, but also from all the comments of people in the theater here — that if there was a way to keep it as a movie theater and maybe even expand with what we could offer ... it would be supported.”

— Sam Hampton, Theater Manager (myjournalcourier.com)

“I've always, back since high school, dreamed of running my own theater one day. Not quite how I expected it coming about, but I'm definitely excited for it.”

— Sam Hampton, Theater Manager (myjournalcourier.com)

What’s next

Once Hampton officially takes over the theater on Friday, he plans to largely keep things the same, including maintaining current ticket and concession prices. In the future, he may start screening movies on some weekdays and hosting events in the theater's lobby. Hampton also wants to put a stage in one of the auditoriums for live shows and conferences, but the timeline for that will depend on community support and funding.

The takeaway

Sam Hampton's decision to take over ownership of the Illinois Theater ensures the longtime downtown Jacksonville movie theater will remain open and continue serving the local community. His focus on improving the theater's condition and expanding its programming shows his commitment to preserving this important community asset.