Evil Intentions Haunted House In Joliet Is Dead Forever

JOLIET, IL - Back in February, before the Joliet City Council voted whether to issue a rental contract with Evil Intentions, the haunted house theme attraction in Elgin published an eerie marketing video. The YouTube video proclaimed that Evil Intentions would open for Halloween 2018 at the famous Joliet Prison. The project was narrowly approved thanks to a tie-breaking vote from Mayor Bob O'Dekirk.

Now, in the heart of Halloween season, there is no Evil Intentions attraction at the old Joliet Prison. The Elgin-based business intended to sink some money into restoring the old women's property, which is on the east side of Collins Street, opposite the limestone fortress that was recently turned into a tourist attraction that is open to the public.

Evil Intention talked a great game but did not have enough money to carry through with the much-needed renovations that were needed to get the women's prison building ready for scares this fall. On Tuesday night, the Joliet City Council will vote whether to rescind the current one-year agreement which had called for Evil Intentions to pay the city $25,000 to sublease the property.

"The uses were anticipated to eventually contain a haunted house, escape rooms, laser tag and other complimentary uses," the city memo states.

However, in the days after the one-year lease got approved, "it was determined by Evil Intentions that the costs of restoration work could not be sufficiently recouped via an agreement that provided less than a one-year commitment by the city. Evil Intentions also sought to potentially expand the uses and capital investment in the property to include the possibility of lodging and restaurant uses," the city council memo indicates.

Bottom line: Evil Intentions reached out to a number of investors but they met resistance based on a number of factors.

"As a result, no physical improvements have occurred thus far and there have been no firm commitments made by added investors."

As a result, the city of Joliet is now ready to pull the plug on Evil Intentions and offer other haunted house attractions throughout the country a chance to work out a deal with the city.

"Over the past several weeks the city initiated discussions with Evil Intentions to voluntarily surrender the sublease prior to expiration," the city states. "They have agreed to this action which will need to be formalized by City Council repeal of the agreement."

City managers also suggest that Evil Intentions won't be penalized and have to pay the $25,000 in rent because "there has been no use or occupancy of the property."

Image via YouTube