(230 ILCS 10/6) (from Ch. 120, par. 2406)

Sec. 6. Application for owners license.

(a) A qualified person may apply to the Board for an owners license to conduct a gambling operation as provided in this Act. The application shall be made on forms provided by the Board and shall contain such information as the Board prescribes, including, but not limited to, the identity of the riverboat on which such gambling operation is to be conducted, if applicable, and the exact location where such riverboat or casino will be located, a certification that the riverboat will be registered under this Act at all times during which gambling operations are conducted on board, detailed information regarding the ownership and management of the applicant, and detailed personal information regarding the applicant. Any application for an owners license to be re-issued on or after June 1, 2003 shall also include the applicant's license bid in a form prescribed by the Board. Information provided on the application shall be used as a basis for a thorough background investigation which the Board shall conduct with respect to each applicant. An incomplete application shall be cause for denial of a license by the Board.

(a-5) In addition to any other information required under this Section, each application for an owners license must include the following information:

(1) The history and success of the applicant and each person and entity disclosed under subsection (c) of this Section in developing tourism facilities ancillary to gaming, if applicable.

(2) The likelihood that granting a license to the applicant will lead to the creation of quality, living wage jobs and permanent, full-time jobs for residents of the State and residents of the unit of local government that is designated as the home dock of the proposed facility where gambling is to be conducted by the applicant.

(3) The projected number of jobs that would be created if the license is granted and the projected number of new employees at the proposed facility where gambling is to be conducted by the applicant.

(4) The record, if any, of the applicant and its developer in meeting commitments to local agencies, community-based organizations, and employees at other locations where the applicant or its developer has performed similar functions as they would perform if the applicant were granted a license.

(5) Identification of adverse effects that might be caused by the proposed facility where gambling is to be conducted by the applicant, including the costs of meeting increased demand for public health care, child care, public transportation, affordable housing, and social services, and a plan to mitigate those adverse effects.

(6) The record, if any, of the applicant and its developer regarding compliance with:

(A) federal, state, and local discrimination, wage and hour, disability, and occupational and environmental health and safety laws; and

(B) state and local labor relations and employment laws.

(7) The applicant's record, if any, in dealing with its employees and their representatives at other locations.

(8) A plan concerning the utilization of minority-owned and women-owned businesses and concerning the hiring of minorities and women.

(9) Evidence the applicant used its best efforts to reach a goal of 25% ownership representation by minority persons and 5% ownership representation by women.

(10) Evidence the applicant has entered into a fully executed project labor agreement with the applicable local building trades council. For any pending application before the Board on June 10, 2021 (the effective date of Public Act 102-13), the applicant shall submit evidence complying with this paragraph within 30 days after June 10, 2021 (the effective date of Public Act 102-13). The Board shall not award any pending applications until the applicant has submitted this information.

(b) Applicants shall submit with their application all documents, resolutions, and letters of support from the governing body that represents the municipality or county wherein the licensee will be located.

(c) Each applicant shall disclose the identity of every person or entity having a greater than 1% direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the gambling operation with respect to which the license is sought. If the disclosed entity is a trust, the application shall disclose the names and addresses of all beneficiaries; if a corporation, the names and addresses of all stockholders and directors; if a partnership, the names and addresses of all partners, both general and limited.

(d) An application shall be filed and considered in accordance with the rules of the Board. Each application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of $250,000. In addition, a nonrefundable fee of $50,000 shall be paid at the time of filing to defray the costs associated with the background investigation conducted by the Board. If the costs of the investigation exceed $50,000, the applicant shall pay the additional amount to the Board within 7 days after requested by the Board. If the costs of the investigation are less than $50,000, the applicant shall receive a refund of the remaining amount. All information, records, interviews, reports, statements, memoranda, or other data supplied to or used by the Board in the course of its review or investigation of an application for a license or a renewal under this Act shall be privileged and strictly confidential and shall be used only for the purpose of evaluating an applicant for a license or a renewal. Such information, records, interviews, reports, statements, memoranda, or other data shall not be admissible as evidence, nor discoverable in any action of any kind in any court or before any tribunal, board, agency or person, except for any action deemed necessary by the Board. The application fee shall be deposited into the State Gaming Fund.

(e) The Board shall charge each applicant a fee set by the Illinois State Police to defray the costs associated with the search and classification of fingerprints obtained by the Board with respect to the applicant's application. These fees shall be paid into the State Police Services Fund. In order to expedite the application process, the Board may establish rules allowing applicants to acquire criminal background checks and financial integrity reviews as part of the initial application process from a list of vendors approved by the Board.

(f) The licensed owner shall be the person primarily responsible for the boat or casino itself. Only one gambling operation may be authorized by the Board on any riverboat or in any casino. The applicant must identify the riverboat or premises it intends to use and certify that the riverboat or premises: (1) has the authorized capacity required in this Act; (2) is accessible to persons with disabilities; and (3) is fully registered and licensed in accordance with any applicable laws.

(g) A person who knowingly makes a false statement on an application is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 101-31, eff. 6-28-19; 102-13, eff. 6-10-21; 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)