Jim Heater (Founder/Lead Investigator/Researcher/Historian)  jim.heater@chipsgroup.com

Jim Heater, founder of CHampaign Illinois Paranormal Society, also known as CH.I.P.S., grew up in Champaign, Illinois. He attended Centennial High School, and majored in Criminal Justice at Parkland College.
Jim has over fifteen years investigative experience which he feels helps him be very objective in his Paranormal Investigations. He has turned this interest of the paranormal into an obsession.
Jim is a father of four children, and is currently employed at The Home Depot in Champaign.
He listens to all music except rap, and enjoys researching Crypto-Zoology and UFO’s.
Jim is a History, National Geographic and Discovery Channel Junkie. Jim is also a member of the Smithsonian Institute Society.

Zoe Stinson (Case Manager/ Lead Investigator) z.stinson@chipsgroup.com

Zoe Stinson was born and raised in Urbana, Illinois. Her Parents, both artist, encouraged Zoe to have an open mind and to pursue her most passionate interests. Throughout her years in middle school and high school, Zoe's interests were peeked by the paranormal. She pursued her interests seeking out literature and films on the subject, even taking her friends out to do their own paranormal investigations. Zoe attended Parkland College where she developed an interest in photography. Between work, school and married life, Zoe continued to nurture her expertise in photography and her interest in the possibility of an afterlife. To that end she has signed on to investigate paranormal activity and is glad to be working with a team who shares her passion. Her interest in photography has become an integral aspect of what she hopes to bring to the team.

Jim Hidlebaugh  (Lead Investigator/ Tech Manager) jim.hidlebaugh@chipsgroup.com

He attended the University of Phoenix and Parkland College. Jim's interest in the paranormal stems from his own experiences and from his religious studies. He is active in his church where he is music director, and his various interests include computers and electronic gadgets, gardening, genealogy, music, traveling, writing, and Illini Basketball. He lives in Douglas County with his wife, two daughters, two cats, and a fierce little dog named Dakota. He is very pleased to be member of CHIPS.

Laura Redmond  (Northern Illinois/Chicago Branch Manager / Lead Investigator - Chicago)  lauraredmond@chipsgroup.com

I was born in Chicago, Illinois but was raised in the San Fransisco Bay area of California. Surrounded by cemeteries, I found myself drawn to them spending hours marveling at the tombstones, names, and dates of the deceased wondering about their life stories.  It was my little escape from reality. To this very day I visit cemeteries photographing points of interest and things out of the norm that carry my imagination and interests to a whole other level. I had paranormal experiences as a teenager and young adult that sprung questions for which to this day are still unanswered. It wasn't until one of my experiences happened to a group I was with that I realized it wasn't "in my head" as those I confided in kept telling me. That opened the door for conversations and validation I so desperately needed. Being a part of the paranormal community is like having an extended family, crazy uncle included.I love every minute of it. While raising my children, I studied Criminal Justice and Criminal Law and currently work in the security and private investigation field. I love socializing with old friends and like to make new friends. I am open to other views of interests and am learning new things everyday. I am a big outdoor person and love, laugh, and smile at life...

Members not pictured: 

Jenny Forshey- Carpenter (Investigator), 

Sarah Sera (Investigator),  

Lori Orr (Investigator) 

 (Pictures and profiles coming soon)