The Illinois Department of Labor, in December, finalized new rules  aimed at better safety and efficiency for the amusement ride industry and its customers.

A significant addition is new rules allowing the Department to regulate and inspect aerial adventure courses, which have become more popular in recent years. The new aerial adventure course rules apply to all attractions that require personal safety equipment. 

Other rule changes include:

• Elimination of the need for a four-year degree to be an amusement ride inspector, instead allowing for experience to count towards qualification.
• Increase of the inspection fees to $130 for large inflatable amusement attractions – 1,500 square feet or larger.
• Rule change to reflect a recently enacted law that increases the penalty the department may assess an amusement ride operator for not conducting a criminal background check on its employees.
• Codification of the proper name of the division with the Illinois Department of Labor – the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Division.
• Codification of the practice to allow for electronic fund transfers to pay permit fees. 

December 10, 2020 News Release available here.

More information on the Amusement Ride and Safety Division
of the Illinois Department of Labor can be found at: https://www2.illinois.gov/idol/Rides/Pages/default.aspx