Most people go to Bacis Italian Restorante in Plainfield looking to wine and dine.
But the Will County Ghost Hunter Society goes to the restaurant at 407 W. Lockport St. looking for whines and other signs of paranormal activity.
Built in 1868 as a Unitarian church then sold and converted to a Catholic church in 1908, the converted restaurant has proved to be a hotbed of hauntings.
Theres been a lot of emotions left in the church from weddings, baptisms and funerals, said WCGHS member Jason Houck, as he set up infrared cameras Oct. 22 in Bacis upstairs bar, formerly the churchs choir loft.
The loft has been the scene of a number of paranormal incidents recorded by the ghost hunters, including a Dec. 7, 2008, video of a tightly wedged access door being thrown open. The video can be viewed on the WCGHS Web site at  www.aghostpage.com/ghostvideos.htm.
This was Houcks second time at a Bacis investigation. He said he tries to remain objective and find other explanations for whats hes seen and heard, but thats not always easy.
I always go into it with a mindset that there is another reason, but when you investigate places with so much history, it just is what it is, Houck said.
Cat Costello, who bartended at Bacis for 10 years, joined WCGHS because of her experiences there.
Costellos most compelling encounter occurred one night while she was alone washing glasses in the banquet room bar.
I had my hands in the bleach water and happened to look up into the mirror next to the sink. In the reflection I saw another pair of arms, but they werent mine, Costello said.
Many of her other encounters were auditory in nature.
 Id hear voices. Someone would call my name, but when Id look up thered be no one there, Costello said.
Finally she started responding.
One night in the banquet room I asked Whats your name, Costello said.
 Ginny, the voice whispered.
Oh, I love that name. I have a daughter named Jenny, Costello said she replied.
Ginny, the voice replied again, this time sounding irritated. Like Virginia.
John Perri Jr., son of the restaurants owner and a Joliet cop, also has heard and seen a lot of weird stuff over the years.
Theyve even called me by name, Perri said.
Perri is a member of Chicagolands Objective Paranormal Society or COPS, which is a ghost hunter society whose members are all in law enforcement.
Perri has recorded a number of electronic voice phenomena, or EVPs, at the restaurant, including a childs voice in a basement storeroom asking Why are we hiding?
Perri said he believes the child is asking other ghosts why they are hiding from investigators.
A few days before the WCGHS investigation, Perri and another COPS member using a thermal imager located a suspected ghost seated in one of the restaurant chairs, and the proceeded to follow it around as it moved from table to table.
During the Oct. 22 investigation, the ghost hunters set up 16 infrared cameras throughout the building. The cameras were linked to a computer to monitor and record any activities.
Later during their overnight stay, the group used digital equipment to check rooms for electromagnetic and thermal anomalies.
They also attempted to communicate with their paranormal prey by asking questions and recording EVPs.
We always ask if there is something we can help them with, Houck said. We always try to get something out of them.
That night the group was able to record several EVPs in response to several questions they asked.
In one, WCGHS founder Dan Jungles asks What was your favorite song?
Over The Rainbow, a voice chants in chilling, drawn-out response. That and other EVP recordings from the session can be heard at www.aghostpage.com/bacis/htm
Its one of the best EVPs weve ever recorded, Jungles said.
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Bill Wimbiscus
Triblocal.com reporter