Illinois City’s Chamber of Commerce Scraps Haunted House

A long-running central Illinois haunted house won’t open this year because organizers say safety upgrades are too costly.

Officials with the Clinton Chamber of Commerce tell The (Decatur) Herald & Review that it would have cost about $60,000 to install a sprinkler system at “The Terror on Washington Street.”

The sprinkler system was recommended by the local fire department.

The decision to close comes after at least two other facilities decided not to open this year.

Operators of Sullivan’s Shotgun Manor said they won’t open, although a new facility named Sheer Terror is opening in its place. In Decatur, the long-running Jaycees Haunted House will remain closed this year. Organizers scrapped the effort last year because of a shortage of volunteers.

Back in Clinton, chamber officials say they hope to resume operations next year.

“If we’re not safe in their eyes, then we don’t open,” said Executive Director Marian Brisard. “We will be safer when we come back, but it will take a big hit on our Chamber budget.”

About 5,000 people visited the haunted house last year.