Renowned Statesville Haunted Prison, HellsGate open this week

In its 21st year of existence, the legendary Statesville Haunted Prison still is scaring the heck out of fans who have continued to flock to Crest Hill every October.

“We are the most critically acclaimed haunted house in Chicago history,” said John Laflamboy, the producer, director and designer of Zombie Army Productions, which runs both Statesville Haunted Prison and HellsGate Haunted House in Lockport.

This is in part because of the thousands of visitors who come each year being able to expect something different. He said, “There is nothing else like Statesville. It is the king of screams in Chicagoland.”

Laflamboy describes the experience as going to a “rock show of horror,” which distinguishes it from other haunted houses.

This year, to the delight of many fans in the haunted house community, Statesville will have a new-and-improved clown room.

“We have a philosophy with Zombie Army: You don’t ever let a room live for more than four or five years,” Laflamboy said. “So we had to kill it and come up with something better.”

Laflamboy admits he doesn’t understand the thrill of scary clowns, but he and the designers at Statesville aimed to make their new clown room a fully realized concept with each clown having its own identity.

In addition, Statesville offers more than 40 rooms with more than 200 “convicts” and creatures for an experience that lasts for longer than 40 minutes.

Laflamboy said that they see tens of thousands of people coming through the haunted house each October, with many coming from far away because they so enjoy the experience.

Besides rave reviews by fans and visitors, Statesville consistently has been rated among the best haunted houses in the state and country by outlets such as HauntedHouseChicago.com and TheScareFactor.com. It also has been showcased on the Travel Channel and was even featured in a Nickelback video last year.

It’s a large operation, too. Laflamboy said there are about 170 actors needed to populate the prison, many of whom also return to Statesville year after year.

“We have an incredibly loyal following of audience members that come out every single year,” Laflamboy said.

Statesville is located at 17250 Weber Road. It's open Thursdays through Sundays this month as well as on Halloween. General admission costs $30. Parking is free. No one younger than 11 is allowed. Visitors 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

HellsGate is in Lockport, but visitors must park at the Lockport Metra Lot at 1300 S. State St., where a shuttle bus will provide transportation to the actual location. The haunted house also is open Thursdays through Sundays in October as well as on Halloween. General admission is $28.