Claimed encounters in Cook County, Illinois
23 entries reported in Cook County, Illinois, each linked to the report or podcast segment it came from. Narrow them down with the filters, or see them on the map.
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Possible footprints in the snow found in Bedford Park (with photos)
The witness was performing pest control service when they found a trail of large prints with toe impressions in snow. They took photos and video and tried to follow the trail until it ended where there was no snow. They did not see the maker of the prints. A follow-up phone call recorded estimates of 18 inches long by 8 inches wide with five toes and short steps.
Possible early morning sighting near Glenwood Woods
The witness was working overnight inside a building at a trailer drop yard when loud chimpanzee-like noises were heard from the north edge near hedge apple trees. The witness yelled toward the sounds and approached to about 60 feet, when branches began shaking. A four-foot reddish animal was seen from behind in the tree with a wedge-shaped head and longer-than-human arms before it moved away out of view while noises continued.
Motorist has possible nighttime sighting in the Forest Preserves outside Chicago
The witness was driving home in the early morning through a heavily wooded area when a tall, thin figure darted across the road from left to right ahead of the vehicle. The figure crossed both lanes in a few fast strides and was no longer visible when the witness slowed and approached the area. The witness first wondered if it was a person but noted its unusual speed.
Possible early morning sighting in Palos Park
Just before sunrise in March 2013, the witness was on the side of the road and saw a tall black figure in the rear-view mirror pass behind the vehicle and cross the road in three strides. The witness first thought it was a person out walking, but later noted the walking trail was ahead while the area behind was a guardrail and steep drop-off that was very difficult to walk.
Motorists have nighttime sighting north of Matteson
The witness was driving southbound through a forest preserve at night with his wife and daughter with headlights on high beam. Less than 50 feet ahead, a huge dark figure crossed the road from left to right in fewer than two steps. All three occupants saw it, noting its long, massive muscular arms and very large size.
Possible nighttime sighting by motorists along border of Orland Grove Forest Preserve
The witness was driving home late at night with a relative when they noticed a tall dark ape-like figure standing on the shoulder beside a wooded area. They slowed but did not stop, then turned around to look again and the figure was gone. The next day the witness reported the sighting to local police.
Possible vocalization and footprint found near Bachelors Grove Cemetery
The witness and a companion visited Bachelor's Grove in the afternoon to check structures described in a prior report. They observed hand-made tree pyramids, an X, and an arch, heard a siren-like sound and faint mumbling voices, and saw no unknown animals. After the companion left, the witness found a large old footprint with visible toes and additional faint impressions forming a long-stride trackway.
Daylight sighting by a motorist near Brookfield Zoo
The witness was driving in the morning when they saw a very tall, hairy figure running through woods beside the road. They stopped, pulled over, and went back to the spot on foot. There they found broken branches and a strong musky odor but no tracks or fur.
Possible vocalizations and stick structures found in Bachelors Grove Cemetery
On the morning of 2 Nov 2010 the witness, a companion, and an investigator were in heavily wooded preserve land by a cemetery looking at tree structures when sirens sounded. They distinguished a different howl-like sound about 200 to 300 yards to the north, heard three times in total. The sound was captured on audio and a segment was later isolated. No creature was seen.
Motorists have possible nighttime sighting in Green Belt Forest Preserve
A couple driving through a forest preserve at night with high beams on saw a large figure standing by a tree. They reported its head and shoulders turned to follow the car as they passed. They drove toward a nearby police station but decided not to report it, then later revisited the site in daylight.
Possible footprint and handprint found in Plum Creek Play Meadow - Forest Preserve
The witness reports finding a single large footprint along a forest trail in a small forest preserve and photographing it in daylight in July 2008. The print was estimated at 12 inches long and compared to a men's size 12 shoe. No creature was seen. A large hand print found the following summer is treated as a separate event.
Man recalls possibly seeing a bigfoot playing peek-a-boo in headlights while parked west of Midlothian
The witness was parked in a car with two companions at a forest reserve pull-off on a summer evening when a large furry hand appeared gripping a tree. Moments later a large furry head peeked around the tree and quickly withdrew without approaching. The group left the area immediately and rarely spoke of the incident afterward.
Nighttime sighting by motorists east of Carpentersville
Two companions lost while driving at night stopped beside a side road to turn around. A tall, dark-haired, upright creature crossed in front of their van from left to right, looking toward them. As they backed out, one thought it turned back toward the van, and they fled in fear.
Memory told of a daytime sighting in Schiller Woods
The witness was resting by the Des Plaines River during a bicycle ride when a hair-covered creature was seen across the river splashing in the water. After the witness coughed, the creature threw large rocks toward the witness, then crossed the river silently and confronted the witness at close range. The witness fled along a trail while hearing a loud howl and screaming and seeing additional shadowy figures across the river.
Structure or nest near Midlothian, Illinois
The witness describes finding a large teepee-like structure and dozens of bent, broken and twisted trees throughout the woods over about ten years.
Animal behaviour near Midlothian, Illinois
The witness says they sometimes feel watched with eyes everywhere in the daytime woods, including the interview day.
Object throwing near Midlothian, Illinois
The witness says nuts were thrown and smacked them, and once with a companion a six-inch by six-foot log flew from the trees landing nearby, prompting them to leave.
Odor near Midlothian, Illinois
The witness says they have smelled a sudden freaky death-like odor in the woods that others also report.
Footsteps near Midlothian, Illinois
The witness says they often hear footsteps and feel followed when alone on the path through the woods.
Growl near Midlothian, Illinois
The witness says they twice heard deep moaning growling in the woods that was not wind.