Section 6000.40  Application for a Permit to Operate

a)         No amusement ride or amusement attraction shall be operated for public use at a carnival or fair in this State without a permit having been issued by the Director to the owner of that equipment.

b)         The permit will be valid for one calendar year (January 1 through December 31).  A permit is not transferable and, if the owner transfers ownership of the amusement ride or amusement attraction, all rights secured under the permit are terminated. Upon sale or transfer of ownership of the ride or attraction, the permit holder must notify the Department and remove the physical permit from the ride or attraction. The new owner must acquire a new permit from the Department before operating the ride or attraction.

c)         At least 30 days prior to the first day of operation or the expiration of the permit, the owner or agent shall apply to the Director for a permit to operate in Illinois.  The application shall be made on a form to be supplied by the Department and be accompanied by a certificate of insurance in the amount as set forth in Section 2-14 of the Act, Non-Destructive Test Certificates as required by Section 6000.280, the times and places where the amusement rides or amusement attractions will be available for inspection, and a check, money order or form of electronic payment through E-Pay for the required fees. The Director may waive the requirement that an application for a permit must be filed at least 30 days prior to the first day of operation or the expiration of the permit if the applicant gives satisfactory proof to the Director that the applicant could not reasonably comply with the date requirement and if the applicant immediately applies for a permit after the need for a permit is first determined. The Director may accept applications for a permit not filed at least 30 days prior to the first day of operation or the expiration of the permit only if the applicant applies for the permit prior to the inspection of the ride or attraction. [430 ILCS 85/2-10]

d)         Inspections will be scheduled as expeditiously as practicable, considering the availability of inspectors, the location of the sites to be inspected, and the complexity of the inspection.  An applicant must submit all of the required application materials, fees, insurance certificates and testing certificates at least 30 calendar days in advance of the first operation by the applicant in the State of Illinois.

e)         If an amusement ride or amusement attraction undergoes a major alteration or is repaired after a major breakdown, it shall be reinspected.

f)         The Department's website shall outline the most current method of applying for a permit and paying for fees.  Without exception, payment may not be made to an inspector.

g)         No permit will be issued if the owner or agent fails to comply with the Act, the procedures set forth in this Part, or if there are any:

1)         Outstanding charges or fees;

2)         Open Stop Operation Orders;

3)         Modifications, repairs, or maintenance procedures that are not in accordance with manufacturer's standards; or

4)         Misrepresentations or material omissions on documents or information submitted to the Department, as determined by the Director.

h)         In order to keep the Department informed regarding the operation of relocatable or mobile amusement rides or amusement attractions, the owner or the person who will be operating or who controls or has the duty to control the operation of the amusement ride or amusement attraction shall submit, with the required registration application, a tentative itinerary and/or route sheet providing dates and locations of expected operation in the State of Illinois.  Throughout the operating season, this itinerary and/or route sheet shall be updated through written submission of notices as to additional operating periods or locations as soon as practicable but prior to operation.  The itinerary and/or route sheet shall be submitted on a form to be supplied by the Department and shall include the following:

1)         the name of the company;

2)         the name of the event and/or the event contact person and telephone number;

3)         the location address of the event;

4)         the date and time the amusement ride or amusement attraction is scheduled to arrive at the location;

5)         the date and time the amusement ride or amusement attraction is scheduled to begin operation; and

6)         the last date and time the amusement ride or amusement attraction is scheduled to be in operation at that location.

i)          The Department shall maintain the confidentiality of all route sheets as authorized by Section 7(1)(g) of the Freedom of Information Act.

j)          Waiver of inspection. The Director may waive the requirement that an amusement ride or amusement attraction or any part thereof be inspected before being operated, and may waive any applicable fees for inspection, if an operator gives satisfactory proof to the Director that the amusement ride or amusement attraction or any part thereof has passed an inspection conducted by a public or private agency whose inspection standards and requirements are at least as stringent as those requirements and standards established by the Department under the provisions of this Act. The Department may compel any documentation or evidence necessary to prove compliance with the requirements of Section 2-17 of the Act. The owner or operator shall pay any annual permit fees before the Director may waive this requirement. [430 ILCS 85/2-18]

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 6097, effective April 25, 2025)