When Tim O’Connell isn’t working his 9-to-5 job as a heavy maintenance mechanic at Alsip MiniMill LLC, he’s spending his weekends scaring visitors at Killdare Haunted City, an attraction named Best Old School Haunt by the Haunt Awards.
For O’Connell, this haunted house isn’t just a hobby—it’s a passion project driven by his lifelong love of Halloween and his desire to push the boundaries of fear.
Killdare Haunted City, located at 8100 Beloit Ave. in Bridgeview, opens every Saturday and Sunday in October and runs through the second week of November. Tickets are priced at $30, and the haunted attraction operates from 7 to 11 p.m., with a full calendar available online.
According to O’Connell, what started as “an abandoned kids’ safety town” has evolved over the past four years into an intense horror experience. His vision focuses on “creating characters and taking people out of their element,” bringing visitors face-to-face with immersive scenes and eerie characters.
As both the owner and creative force behind Killdare, O’Connell constantly pushes to raise the bar. “I tell people, I will break you,” he said. There are shy and reserved people, but I can figure out their weaknesses. I’ve been around people my whole life,” he added.
O’Connell’s fascination with haunted attractions began long before Killdare. Growing up, he was a self-proclaimed Halloween fanatic, heavily influenced by his friend John LaFlamboy, owner of HellsGate Haunted House.
O’Connell recalled how LaFlamboy once stood in front of his childhood toy collection, grabbed a hammer, and smashed them, saying, “You can make anything you want in this world.” That moment sparked O’Connell’s imagination. At 9 years old, he started creating haunted basement tours using strobe lights, black sheets, and garage sale finds his mom brought home.
That early passion evolved into Killdare Haunted City, now a family affair. O’Connell’s sister, Kylie, is part of the scare cast, while his wife, Mandy, has a unique role in the fun. O’Connell once commissioned a custom mask to look like Mandy. “I wear the dress, get in character, and we all get a good laugh out of it,” he said.
Each year, Killdare Haunted City brings something new to the table. “Every year is different. We flip the script,” O’Connell said, adding that 2024’s build is their biggest yet. The entire family helped, including Palos Hills Alderman Donna O’Connell—better known as Tim’s mom. “My mom is incredible,” he said. “She helps with everything, from press details to encouraging people to return for a second scare.”
At Killdare Haunted City, visitors can expect an eerie, abandoned town crawling with demonic creatures and bone-chilling surprises. For O’Connell, it’s about delivering a unique and unforgettable scare that keeps people returning year after year.
I’ve been there it was super fun! Well written piece, and cool pictures!