For more than 100 years, Streator's economy has been based on the manufacturing of a wide variety of products. For decades, Streator has been a leader in the production of glass containers and in recent decades, the number of products manufactured in the community has diversified and expanded. Vactor Manufacturing, Inc., is a major manufacturer of heavy-duty municipal sewer cleaning equipment. Streator is also the home for manufacturing companies that produce snow removal equipment, railroad service equipment, peanut butter, steel tubing, automotive lifts, wallpaper sample books, log splitters, pressure-treated lumber, bricks, industrial handling equipment, truck bodies, custom foam packaging and cabinetry and countertops.

Streator is located within a region containing some of the most productive soil in the nation, with the chief crops being corn and soybeans, making agri-business a major factor in the area's economy. Providing support services to area manufacturers and agri-business are a solid and diversified base of commercial enterprises. Serving the area economy are a wide variety of financial, insurance and professional offices along with St. Mary's Hospital, a regional healthcare facility.

Due to the early development of transportation services, Streator is the site for several wholesale and distribution companies. Their products include institutional food products, beverages, dairy products, petroleum products, restaurant supplies, and industrial supplies. Rail service is provided by Norfolk Southern, SantaFe/Burlington Northern, and Illinois RailNet.

Streator has a viable downtown area which includes a wide variety of retail merchants and professional services. Close to the Central Business District is Westgate Plaza with several stores and professional offices. Northpoint Plaza Shopping Center, and an expanding Kroger Plaza, provide a diversified retail base.

Streator offers a full range of residential opportunities, including single family homes, condominiums, apartments, and senior residential developments. Homes are available from the low to moderate price range to the upper level custom designs. In the Streator area there are also many distinctive older homes.

Streator is served by three school districts: Streator Elementary District, with four elementary schools and a junior high school; Streator Township High School District; and the Woodland Unit School District which serves the Livingston County portion of Streator. In addition, there are two parochial grade schools (K-thru 8). Preschool programs are also available. Area residents can conveniently continue their education at Illinois Valley Community College which offers a diverse curriculum of academic and vocational training.

St. Mary's Hospital is a regional healthcare center serving the needs of the entire family. Founded in 1887 by the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, today St. Mary's is a modern, licensed 251-bed facility. St. Mary's provides medical care in numerous areas, including oncology and chemotherapy, home health and hospice coverage, same day surgery, an intensive care unit and 24-hour emergency room coverage. St Mary's Cancer Treatment Center offers the latest in available treatments.

The Streator YMCA is a modern facility that includes a swimming pool, basketball court, racquetball center, physical fitness programs, and activities for all age groups. Youth and adult sports are an important part of life in Streator. Competitive and recreational league activities include baseball, football, softball, basketball, soccer, bowling and golf. Streator has three golf courses: Anderson Golf Course, a public course; Twin Creeks, a privately owned public course; and Streator Country Club.

Residents enjoy several stage productions a year presented at the well-known William C. Schiffbauer Center for the Performing Arts. Outdoor recreation is available at eight nearby State Parks, conservation areas, four city parks and the Illinois and Vermillion Rivers. These areas provide Streator with close access to boating, canoeing, hunting, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.

Streator special festivals include Heritage Days in May, a five-day 4th of July celebration, a Labor Day festival, and a Holiday Light Up Streator celebration on Thanksgiving weekend.

Worship services are offered by a wide variety of religious faiths, with five Roman Catholic churches and 32 Protestant churches. Two of Streator's churches have an interesting place in history. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is the oldest Slovak Lutheran Church in America and St. Stephen's is the first Slovak Catholic Church in America.