Laws and Rules

Every amusement ride and amusement attraction open to the public and operating in the State of Illinois must be inspected prior to initial operation and annually thereafter. To be inspected, every owner must first submit a completed application packet to the Department of Labor. Once a ride or attraction has been approved for operation by an inspector, a permit decal shall be affixed to each ride or attraction. Permits are valid for one calendar year (January 1st through December 31st).

At the time of inspection, owners are required to provide documentation that they have conducted a criminal history records check and sex offender registry check for all operators, attendants and assistants, provide documentation that they received proper training and have a substance abuse policy in place, which includes random drug testing.

Examples of amusement rides and attractions that require annual safety inspections prior to operation in the State of Illinois include, but are not limited to:

• adventure courses
• carnival rides
• carousels
• dry slides
• haunted houses
• go-kart tracks
• ski lifts and rope tows
• mechanical bulls
• mobile climbing walls
• power trampolines and eurobungees
• ride simulators
• trampoline parks
• trains
• trams
• inflatable attractions (i.e. moonwalks or bounce houses)
• Zip lines

• Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Information: (217) 557-3112
• Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety HOTLINE: (217) 993-2941
• Email: DOL.Rides@Illinois.gov

• 430 ILCS 85/2-1 to 2-21 (Legislative Website)
• Administrative Code, 56 Ill. Adm. Code 6000 (Adopted Rules)
• New Adopted Rules 12/8/20
  
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Accident Reporting Form
  
• Amusement Ride Operator Roster Form
• Volunteer Roster Form

• Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Board​
• What Does a Permit Look Like?
• Companies Registered to Operate Rides and Attractions in Illinois
• CARES-NDT-List​
  

• Illinois State Fair
• DuQuoin State Fair
• County Fairs