They're Baaaack! Did You See UFOs on the Fourth of July?

It's no secret that Tinley Park has been building a reputation as a UFO magnet over the years, becoming known for mass sightings of triangular lights in the sky above the village.

But even the staunchest believers in Tinley's penchant for unexplained aerial phenomena might be skeptical of anyone saying they saw a UFO on the night of the Fourth of July.

Reader Paul Vaccaro posed this question on Tinley Park Patch's Speak Out Board on Saturday, July 6, with the headline "Objects over Tinley":

"Has anyone noticed any strange objects and or lights around Tinley lately? And what's up with all the helicopters flying around......is the gov still doing training at the old mental health place?"

And he wasn't the only person to ask about throughout the south suburbs. Adam Warren, of Evergreen Park, described three objects "flying in formation"—similar to the "Tinley Park Triangle" of lights—on his Facebook page the morning of Friday, July 5. He even linked to a video of someone else's Fourth of July sighting, which is attached to this article. (Editor's Note: If you're using a mobile device, use the previous link to view the video.)

Although UFO has become synonymous with spaceships and aliens, the term is simply refers to anything in the air that can't be unidentified. Suggestions that the lights were simply sky lanterns—fireworks that were banned in the state in May—have been brushed aside by people who saw the lights July 4.

Tinley Park has its share of air traffic thanks to a helipad next to the fire department's training area off of 183rd Street. Local government agencies and companies such as ComEd use the pad regularly. For the second time this year, the Department of Defense will be staging training drills this month in the village, which will include helicopter exercises.

In fact, Tinley Park's Emergency Management Director Pat Carr has even started a blog on Tinley Park Patch dedicated to helicopter operations. No mention has been made of helicopters using the helipad during the Fourth.

So what do you think the lights were?

YOUR TURN: Did you see unusual, non-pyrotechnic lights on the Fourth of July in the sky over Tinley Park? If so, what did you think they were? Have you had sightings before? Tell us about it in the comments section.

Related Coverage on Tinley Park Patch:

• Village Videos: Is Tinley Park a UFO Magnet?
• Objects over Tinley
• Why Local Fire Chiefs Think Ban on Sky Lanterns Is a Good Idea
• Defense Dept. Will Train Again at Closed Mental Health Center
• U.S. Defense Dept. to Stage Night Drills at Mental Health Center
• Rain Could Wash Out Tuesday Defense Department Training
• Defense Department's Training Goes Off With a Bang
• Read What Residents Had to Say About the First Round of Exercises