Illinois Horror Films

As we get closer to Halloween, many enjoy watching horror movies to set the tone of the holiday. From ghosts, demons and goblins to evil, abandoned and haunted places, a wide range of these scary films were made right here in Illinois.

Here are just a few of the creepiest ghoulish movies filmed in the state:

• The Amityville Horror (2005) – The remake of the 1979 movie was filmed around St. Peter’s Catholic Church and the Sequoit Creek Lodge in Antioch as well as areas around Chicago, Buffalo Grove and Fox Lake.
• Poltergeist III (1988) – The popular film's third installment had filming locations including the Francis W. Parker School, the John Hancock Center and Water Tower Place in Chicago.
• Damien: The Omen II (1978) – This sequel was mostly filmed in downtown Chicago and was so popular it had an additional remake made in the 2000s.
• Child's Play 2 (1990) – The second film in the Chucky franchise was also filmed in Chicago.
• The Grudge 2 (2006) – This sequel to the remake of a Japanese film was also shot around parts of Chicago.
• A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) – This remake of the original 1984 film was shot at several Illinois locations, including Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin and John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights.
• The Relic (1997) – Noted as one of the best science-fiction horror movies ever made, it had filming locations at Lower Wacker Drive and other downtown Chicago spots as well as in Northbrook.
• The Rite (2011) – The filming of this movie took place in Blue Island, a picturesque city south of Chicago’s Loop.
• The Unborn (2009) – It was filmed in Kankakee, Lake Forest, Chicago and Montrose with many scenes shot at Liberty High School.

Have you watched any of these horror films? It’s thanks to the rich, filming history and locations across the state that flock movie producers here every year.

The Illinois Vintage Fest: Illinois’ hotspot for vintage

Illinois is a hub for merchandise with iconic city centers and modern shopping malls that bring the latest products and goods to locals and visitors from across the state and the country. Illinois also offers a variety of shopping experiences that cater to a large range of customers, including vintage shoppers.

Illinois is a hotspot for vintage with countless antique stores and local thrift shops. However, one of the greatest opportunities to shop vintage is the Illinois Vintage Fest. The Illinois Vintage Fest is a pop-up event that brings together numerous vendors of vintage goods in once place. The Illinois Vintage Fest originated in Joliet as a street pop-up in downtown. Over the years, the fest has grown in popularity and size and has begun hosting pop-ups in cities across the state.

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Recognizing Illinois’ National Blue Ribbon Schools

The U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recognized 18 Illinois schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes elementary, middle and high schools based on their overall high academic achievement or success in closing the achievement gap among diverse groups of students.

“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”

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The world’s largest corn maze

Did you know that the world’s largest corn maze is located in Spring Grove at the Richardson Adventure Farm? The massive family-owned farm is located 65 miles northwest of Chicago and covers an impressive 28 acres!

Every year, the farm has a new theme for the maze, such as “Jurassic Park.” This year’s theme celebrates John Deere, the Illinois-based agriculture equipment manufacturer.

The entire 10-mile maze – open annually from September to October – has zero dead ends and is surrounded by a perimeter path so attendees can stop and grab a snack or hot apple cider any time. The maze also features 24 hidden checkpoints, a farm scene investigation game and more.

Richardson Farm was founded in 1840. The farm hosts a number of fun activities throughout the year, including a tulip festival, sunflower fields in the summer, a craft beer festival and a Christmas tree farm. This family-owned farm is just one gem in our state that encompasses the core of what Illinois has to offer!

To learn more about the world’s largest corn maze, visit their website.