Illinois is not just the Land of Lincoln — it’s also one of the most haunted states in America. With a long history of tragedies, disasters, and eerie tales, the Prairie State is filled with locations that continue to terrify visitors and locals alike. From abandoned asylums to historic theaters and lonely stretches of road, here are the 10 most haunted places in Illinois that will send chills down your spine.
1. Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery (Midlothian)
Widely considered the most haunted cemetery in the U.S., Bachelor’s Grove has a reputation that goes back decades. This small, abandoned graveyard near the Rubio Woods Forest Preserve is known for ghostly apparitions, unexplained lights, phantom cars, and even a ghostly farmhouse that reportedly disappears when approached. Paranormal investigators often capture strange images here, including the famous photo of a woman in white sitting on a tombstone. Visitors report feelings of unease, mysterious noises, and even being touched by unseen hands.
2. The Congress Plaza Hotel (Chicago)
Built in 1893 to accommodate visitors to the World’s Fair, the Congress Plaza Hotel is infamous for its dark past. Al Capone supposedly ran operations out of the hotel, and his ghost is said to linger in the halls. Guests and staff have reported strange noises, shadowy figures, flickering lights, and the sounds of phantom gunshots. Room 441 is especially notorious — visitors often claim they’ve been kicked awake, seen shadow figures, or witnessed objects move on their own.
3. Manteno State Hospital (Manteno)
Opened in 1930 and shut down in 1985, the Manteno State Hospital was once one of Illinois’s largest psychiatric facilities. Like many old asylums, it’s associated with patient abuse, experimental treatments, and deaths. Today, its decaying buildings are a hotspot for ghost hunters. People report hearing disembodied voices, seeing shadowy figures, and feeling cold spots. Some claim to hear the faint cries of former patients or even encounter apparitions wandering the abandoned grounds.
4. McPike Mansion (Alton)
Alton is often called the most haunted small town in America, and McPike Mansion is one of its most famous haunted landmarks. Built in 1869, this decaying Victorian mansion is said to be home to several spirits, including the original owner, Henry McPike. Visitors and paranormal teams have captured orbs, strange mists, and shadowy figures on camera. Cold spots, sudden chills, and the scent of lilacs (said to be associated with a former resident) are commonly reported. Tours often leave visitors spooked by knocks, whispers, and fleeting glimpses of figures in the windows.
5. Resurrection Cemetery (Justice)
No Illinois ghost list is complete without mentioning Resurrection Mary, the famous vanishing hitchhiker. According to legend, Mary was killed in a car accident after a night of dancing in the 1930s. Today, she’s said to appear along Archer Avenue, asking for a ride before disappearing near Resurrection Cemetery. Countless drivers have reported picking up a beautiful young woman in a white dress, only for her to vanish without a trace. The cemetery gates themselves have mysterious handprints burned into them, adding to the eerie reputation.
6. Peoria State Hospital (Bartonville)
Once home to thousands of mentally ill patients, Peoria State Hospital operated from the early 1900s until 1973. The institution was known for progressive treatments under Dr. George Zeller, but that hasn’t stopped the stories of hauntings. One of the most famous ghosts is Old Book, a gravedigger whose mournful sobs are still heard near the cemetery. Visitors report hearing footsteps, doors slamming, and shadow figures lurking in the decaying buildings. Ghost hunters often leave the site with spine-chilling EVPs and mysterious photographs.
7. Greenwood Cemetery (Decatur)
Decatur’s Greenwood Cemetery dates back to the early 1800s and has long been associated with paranormal activity. Many believe the restless spirits here stem from Civil War burials, unmarked graves, and past desecrations of the grounds. Visitors report glowing orbs, shadow figures, and strange lights flickering through the tombstones. The most famous legend involves a “devil’s chair” — a stone seat that supposedly curses anyone brave enough to sit on it at night.
8. The Rialto Square Theatre (Joliet)
This stunning 1926 theater is often called one of the most beautiful in the country — but it’s also considered one of the most haunted. Performers and staff have reported seeing apparitions in period clothing, hearing mysterious footsteps on the stage, and feeling cold spots throughout the building. One of the most famous ghosts is that of a woman often seen wandering the balcony or upper levels, sometimes even during performances. Paranormal investigators frequently capture EVPs and strange anomalies inside the theater.
9. Blood’s Point Road (Boone County)
With a name like Blood’s Point, it’s no wonder this rural stretch near Rockford has a sinister reputation. The road and surrounding area are steeped in ghost stories, from haunted bridges to phantom dogs, witches, and stories of hangings. Visitors claim to hear strange noises, experience car malfunctions, or even spot ghostly figures near the old bridge. Many ghost hunters are drawn to Blood’s Point Road for its eerie atmosphere, though locals warn it’s not a place to visit alone at night.
10. The Old Joliet Prison (Joliet)
Once home to some of the most dangerous criminals in Illinois, the Old Joliet Prison operated from 1858 until its closure in 2002. It’s perhaps most famous for its appearance in The Blues Brothers film, but today it’s known for something much darker — hauntings. Paranormal tours and investigators report shadowy figures moving in the cell blocks, disembodied voices, cell doors slamming shut, and intense feelings of dread. Many believe the spirits of former inmates and guards still linger, unable to move on from the violence and misery that filled these walls.
Final Thoughts
Illinois is a state with deep historical roots — and those roots come with a fair share of ghosts. Whether you’re a believer or just love a good scare, these ten haunted locations offer a chilling glimpse into the darker side of the Prairie State. If you decide to visit, bring a camera, an open mind, and maybe a friend or two — just in case the stories are true.