Changes Benefit Carnival Industry!

Through this important Amendment, the Peeler group is in a position to provide you with a much more cost effective method in completing your background checks in the State of Illinois, and that surpasses state regulations!
 
Contact us today and discover how we may assist you through our Federal and State Compliant Services.
 
Our services encompass:
  • Criminal Records
  • Sex Offender Records
  • Social Security Verification
  • National Watch List
  • Drug Screening - DOT/Non-DOT
  • Commercial & Non-commercial Driving Records
  • FCRA Compliance Documentation
  • Instant Return On Your Requests
 
Additional services are available based on your particular needs. Do not be fooled by "on-line" services, our "best practices" follow state and federal regulations saving you cost in time and penalties.
 
Additional Information:
Letter from Bill Peeler Regarding Carnival Law
  Complete Law  

Advisory Notice

Carnival & Amusement Rides Safety Act Changes

 

August 20, 2009
Senate Bill 1408 (Public Act 96-151)
Effective August 7, 2009

 
 


Public Act 96-151 amends the Carnival and Amusement Rides Safety Act to exempt volunteers that operate or
assist in the operation of an amusement ride or amusement attraction (open to the public) from the criminal
history records check, sex offender registry check and substance abuse policy requirements. Volunteers are still required to be trained in how to operate the ride and must be at least 16 years old pursuant to the Act and rules.

Volunteer is defined as a person who operates or assists in the operation of an amusement ride or amusement
attraction for an owner or operator without pay or lodging. An individual shall not be considered a volunteer if the individual is otherwise employed by the same owner or operator to perform the same type of service as
those for which the individual proposes to volunteer.

The Act now also provides for civil penalties of up to $2,500 for a first offense and up to $5,000 for a second or subsequent offense for operating an amusement ride or amusement attraction without a valid permit. This is in addition to the current Class A misdemeanor for violations of the Act.

Carnival owners must now use the National Sex Offender Public Registry (rather than the Illinois Sex Offender
Registry) to conduct checks for those that manage, physically operate, or assist in the operation of an
amusement ride or amusement attraction. The checks must be performed at the time the carnival worker is
hired and annually thereafter, except if the carnival worker is in the continued employ of the company.
Criminal history records checks can now be conducted by the Illinois State Police (ISP), another state or federal law enforcement agency or a business belonging to the National Association of Professional Background Check Screeners (previously checks were only acceptable if performed by ISP).

Recordkeeping requirements have been added in order to allow carnival owners to share the results of any
criminal history records checks or sex offender registry checks with the Illinois Department of Labor. These
records shall be maintained by the owner or operator for a period of two years unless the records relate to an
ongoing investigation or enforcement action under the Act, in which case the records must be maintained until
after their destruction is authorized by the Department or court order.