NBC’s ‘Chicago Fire’ Filming in Skokie Today

Who would have thought a funeral home in downtown Skokie would be the 'hottest' place to be?

NBC’s new TV series “Chicago Fire” will be shooting at Haben Funeral Home in downtown Skokie on Thursday. Crews are expected to shoot from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the latest.

John Haben, director and owner of Haben Funeral Home, 8057 Niles Center Road, said the show’s scouting team picked his parlor because of its unique features.

“As I understand it, it’s going to be a scene where characters are bringing in a family member from the parking lot and into our parlor,” Haben said. “The producer and director loved our facility. They scouted [several other funeral homes] and said, ‘Your funeral home is comforting and has a lot of character.’”

Haben said his business lent the show a casket for a scene that will be shot inside the parlor.

“We won’t be providing the person inside the casket,” Haben joked. “They’ve already delivered flowers over and changed some of our shades. It’s exciting.”

According to AssignmentX.com, a pop-culture news site, “Chicago Fire” executive producer Dick Wolf picked the Chicagoland area for its character.

“The City of Chicago serves as a character in its own right," Taylor Kinney told AssignmentX.com, who plays a firefighter on NBC’s show.

“Chicago Fire’s” Skokie connection

Skokie native and Niles North graduate Victor Vlahos owns and operates Midwest Fixtures, a Chicago-based company that sells restaurant-grade appliances.

Vlahos said he’s sold “a ton” of fixtures to NBC’s lead prop manager. But there’s a problem.

“They’re always blowing everything up,” Vlahos, 31, said with a smile. “Some of it they burn. Some of it is for the firehouse, some of it is for the bar [several characters purchased in the show].”

Editor's note: There will be no parking along the 8000 block of Elmwood Street, or just behind Haben Funeral Home, on Thursday, Feb. 28, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

'Chicago Fire' airs on Wednesday evenings on NBC.

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