DeKALB – The group that operates the Egyptian Theatre is forgoing a long-sought air-conditioning system in favor of a fire sprinkler system so the theater can continue hosting the Amenti Haunted House.

To that end, the theater needs the DeKalb City Council to reallocate $474,080 already earmarked for the theater to pay for the installation and plaster repairs.

The nonprofit group Preservation of the Egyptian Theatre was hoping to pay only $450,000 for an air-conditioning system, but the lowest bid came in at $1.5 million. Meanwhile, the Illinois State Fire Marshal has stopped granting special waivers to the Egyptian. Haunted houses are required to be fitted with an automatic sprinkler system.