Tinley Park - 2004

8/21/04 & 10/31/04 - Tinley Park, IL
"The Tinley Park Lights"

Summary of the Preliminary Investigation

"Tinley Park Lights": Refers to a series of sightings in Tinley Park, Illinois between 8/21/2004 and 10/31/2004 where multiple witnesses (more than 100!) viewed three luminous red lights that appeared to emanate from one source and remain in a triangular orientation for the entire duration of the multiple sightings. The lights remained both stationary and also moved slowly around. There was no sound associated with the sighting.

The 10/31 sighting was fantastic in that it occurred at 8:00 p.m. on Halloween night and was viewed by hundreds, if not thousands, of trick-or-treaters and their parents. On two streets alone, at least 50 trick-or-treaters were stopped all looking up at the lights.

Several MUFON investigators were called to investigate the sightings. There were at least 2 meetings held with people who had reported these sightings to NUFORC or MUFON. Digital and film pictures and video were reviewed.

Regarding the 10/31/2004 mass sighting:

If this was a triangular-shaped object, based on witness testimony, pictures from various angles, and trigonometry, preliminary calculations are:

• It was approximately 5,000 feet long
• The longest dimensions cover 8 blocks north & south
• Depending on how it rotated, it was 1,500 feet off the ground to 6,500 feet off the ground.
• It hovered at about 4,000 feet above the ground

After careful evaluation and analysis of:

• Randomly selected eyewitness testimony
• Photographs, both digital and film (there must be hundreds of pictures)
• Video (there are dozens) by individuals certified* in:
  • Aviation
  • Meteorology
  • Physics
  • Astronomy
  • Other applied scientific fields

*Professional insight was limited to their qualifications.

It has been mutually determined to be a genuine sighting of multiple luminous anomalous objects of unknown origin. There is no other rational explanation at this time though the investigation is ongoing.

We, the assigned investigative body of Illinois MUFON, make the above statement of summary to this preliminary Investigation.

Respectfully,

Sam Maranto, Director, Illinois MUFON
Dave Finkbeiner, State Section Director, Illinois MUFON
Vic Connor, State Section Director, Illinois MUFON
(all Certified MUFON Field Investigators)

Below are still frames from video of "The Tinley Park Lights":