The Ghostbusters: Chicago Division is a costuming group that is currently celebrating it's 10th anniversary. Comprised of enthusiasts of the classic film, they dress up like the characters from the movies and related cartoon series; appearing at comic book conventions and other geeky events; and raising money for charitable causes, using their fandom to inspire others to pursue their passion. As part of the celebration, the Chicago Ghostbusters toured the city of Chicago with Elliott Serrano of REDEYE's "Geek To Me" to create a commemorative photo gallery.
Ghostbusters: Chicago Division members Jenny Byers, Chad Byers, Rob Graham, Ken Trayling and Mary Jo Chrabasz. — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Ghostbusters: Chicago Division. They're here to believe you! — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Ghostbusters: Chicago Division member 9L to R) Chris Pehlke, Jenny Byers, Ken Trayling, Chad Byers, Zack Lavoy, Rob Graham, Mary Jo Chrabasz, Jerry DeFrancisco, Zach LaVoy and Steve Hessler. — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Abbey Road, on Michigan Ave, Ghostbusters style! (L to R: Chad Byers, Jerry DeFrancisco, Ken Trayling & Jenny Byers.) — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Ghostbusters: Chicago Division with "Vigo the Carpathian" at The Bean. (Ken Trayling, Chris Pehlke, Jerry DeFrancisco and Zach LaVoy.) — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
A former child actor - playing Steve Martin's youngest son in the film Parenthood - Zach LaVoy is the Ghostbusters Chicago Division PR person. Considered the "face" of the group, LaVoy is one of the founding members and the one to coin the phrase "your troop outside da loop". On his off days, Zach is the alter ego of the Cinema Slob, reviewing bad movies at http://www.agonybooth.com/video_shows/Cinema_Slob/ — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Mary Jo Chrabasz doesn't remember a time when she didn't want to be a Ghostbuster. She very nearly majored in parapsychology in college, but when went the more practical route, majoring in mass media & theater instead. Her childhood dream came true when she met up with the members of Ghostbusters: Chicago Division at the 2011 C2E2 convention and, with her fiance Ken, joined the team. Now that she is finished with her Master's in Library Science, she's excited to spend more time hauling around a proton pack! She serves as webmaster for the team, spending hours tweaking the website to look just right. She also staffs Anime Central as Assistant Department Head of Special Needs/ADA Compliance and serves on the committee of the Relay For Life of Norridge/Harwood Heights, fundraising for the American Cancer Society. When she's not at work, knitting up a storm, or geocaching, she's planning what may be the geekiest wedding ever. Who says you can't mix proton packs and time travelers together? — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Jerry DeFrancisco is the team's grease monkey and Ecto-1 driver. Jerry is responsible for building the Chicago Ecto-1 in his spare time and you can often see him cruising around town in it on patrol. When not on patrol or under a hood, Jerry works as a security consultant. — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
A veteran of the US Navy, Ken Trayling runs and manages GBCD's various social media pages, including the Twitter, Facebook and more! When not managing his Ghostbusterly duties, Ken spends most of his time working in loss prevention and spending as much time with his fiancee as possible. — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Chad Byers is a lifetime fan of horror movies and things that go bump in the night. When he's not bustin' ghosts with the GBCD, he is Undead Johnny, the host of the horror host/sketch comedy television show "The World of the Weird Monster Show" which the Chicago Sun-Times likened to "SCTV and Son of Svengoolie having a mutant offspring together." (http://www.facebook.com/wowmonstershow) For the GBCD, Chad suits up as Dr. Peter Venkman and makes a great pair with his wife, Jenny, who is our own Dr. Egon Spengler. — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Chad and Jenny Byers team-up as Ghostbusters Peter Venkman and Egon Spengler. — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Ghostbusters: Chicago Division member Rob Graham. — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Ghostbusters: Chicago Division's Ken Trayling and Mary Jo Chrabasz. — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
You can't have heroes without a villain! Chris Pehlke as "Vigo the Carpathian" from Ghostbusters 2. Chris "The Dude" Pehlke originally joined as a Vigo the Carpathian cosplayer but was threatened to be put back in a painting, so he also suits up as one of the master slime blowers. When not being a Moldavian tyrant or an eliminator of spooks, Chris is a devoted family man. — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Where would the Ghostbusters be without their pesky E.P.A. "friend" Walter Peck? Since Peck is such a big part of Ghostbusters, the Ghostbusters Chicago Division have a member to portray Peck at their events. Former Marine Steven Hessler is the man behind the Chicago Peck. Steve joined the GBCD team on Halloween 2010 and has been a large part of the team ever since. — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Walter Peck and the Ghostbusters still don't get along. — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Trayling is getting some strange readings from Vigo the Carpathian in front of the Bean in Grant Park. — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Egon Spengler suspects that pigeon may not be what it appears to be. — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Jenny Byers does her best Gene Kelly from "Singing in the Rain." — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Ghostbusters: Chicago Division at the Art Institute where Vigo is up to his old tricks! — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Ghostbusters: Chicago Division after busting Vigo the Carpathian! — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Ghostbusters: Chicago Division on the lakefront with the Ecto-1. — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
Jerry DeFrancisco shows off his pride and joy, the Ecto-1. — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
It's the end of a long day walking around Chicago and busting ghosts! Time for a Ghostbusters cheer... — Elliott Serrano, Oct. 27, 2013
