(415 ILCS 65/3) (from Ch. 5, par. 853)

Sec. 3. Notification requirements for application of lawn care products.

(a) Lawn Markers.

(1) Immediately following application of lawn care products to a lawn, other than a golf course, an applicator for hire shall place a lawn marker at the usual point or points of entry.

(2) The lawn marker shall consist of a 4 inch by 5 inch sign, vertical or horizontal, attached to the upper portion of a dowel or other supporting device with the bottom of the marker extending no less than 12 inches above the turf.

(3) The lawn marker shall be white and lettering on the lawn marker shall be in a contrasting color. The marker shall state on one side, in letters of not less than 3/8 inch, the following: "LAWN CARE APPLICATION - STAY OFF GRASS UNTIL DRY - FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: (here shall be inserted the name and business telephone number of the applicator for hire)."

(4) The lawn marker shall be removed and discarded by the property owner or resident, or such other person authorized by the property owner or resident, on the day following the application. The lawn marker shall not be removed by any person other than the property owner or resident or person designated by such property owner or resident.

(5) For applications to residential properties of 2 families or less, the applicator for hire shall be required to place lawn markers at the usual point or points of entry.

(6) For applications to residential properties of 2 families or more, or for application to other commercial properties, the applicator for hire shall place lawn markers at the usual point or points of entry to the property to provide notice that lawn care products have been applied to the lawn.

(b) Notification requirement for application of plant protectants on golf courses.

(1) Blanket posting procedure. Each golf course shall post in a conspicuous place or places an all-weather poster or placard stating to users of or visitors to the golf course that from time to time plant protectants are in use and additionally stating that if any questions or concerns arise in relation thereto, the golf course superintendent or his designee should be contacted to supply the information contained in subsection (c) of this Section.

(2) The poster or placard shall be prominently displayed in the pro shop, locker rooms and first tee at each golf course.

(3) The poster or placard shall be a minimum size of 8 1/2 by 11 inches and the lettering shall not be less than 1/2 inch.

(4) The poster or placard shall read: "PLANT PROTECTANTS ARE PERIODICALLY APPLIED TO THIS GOLF COURSE. IF DESIRED, YOU MAY CONTACT YOUR GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION."

(c) Information to Customers of Applicators for Hire. At the time of application of lawn care products to a lawn, an applicator for hire shall provide the following information to the customer:

(1) The brand name, common name, and scientific name of each lawn care product applied;

(2) The type of fertilizer or pesticide contained in the lawn care product applied;

(3) The reason for use of each lawn care product applied;

(4) The range of concentration of end use product applied to the lawn and amount of material applied;

(5) Any special instruction appearing on the label of the lawn care product applicable to the customer's use of the lawn following application;

(6) The business name and telephone number of the applicator for hire as well as the name of the person actually applying lawn care products to the lawn; and

(7) Upon the request of a customer or any person whose property abuts or is adjacent to the property of a customer of an applicator for hire, a copy of the material safety data sheet and approved pesticide registration label for each applied lawn care product.

(d) Prior notification of application to lawn. In the case of all lawns other than golf courses:

(1) Any neighbor whose property abuts or is adjacent to the property of a customer of an applicator for hire may receive prior notification of an application by contacting the applicator for hire and providing his name, address and telephone number.

(2) At least the day before a scheduled application, an applicator for hire shall provide notification to a person who has requested notification pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection (d), such notification to be made in writing, in person or by telephone, disclosing the date and approximate time of day of application.

(3) In the event that an applicator for hire is unable to provide prior notification to a neighbor whose property abuts or is adjacent to the property because of the absence or inaccessibility of the individual, at the time of application to a customer's lawn, the applicator for hire shall leave a written notice at the residence of the person requesting notification, which shall provide the information specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection (d).

(e) Prior notification of application to golf courses.

(1) Any landlord or resident with property that abuts or is adjacent to a golf course may receive prior notification of an application of lawn care products or plant protectants, or both, by contacting the golf course superintendent and providing his name, address and telephone number.

(2) At least the day before a scheduled application of lawn care products or plant protectants, or both, the golf course superintendent shall provide notification to any person who has requested notification pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection (e), such notification to be made in writing, in person or by telephone, disclosing the date and approximate time of day of application.

(3) In the event that the golf course superintendent is unable to provide prior notification to a landlord or resident because of the absence or inaccessibility, at the time of application, of the landlord or resident, the golf course superintendent shall leave a written notice with the landlord or at the residence which shall provide the information specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection (e).

(f) Notification for applications of pesticides to day care center grounds other than day care center structures and school grounds other than school structures.

(1) The owner or operator of a day care center must either (i) maintain a registry of parents and guardians of children in his or her care who have registered to receive written notification before the application of pesticide to day care center grounds and notify persons on that registry before applying pesticides or having pesticide applied to day care center grounds or (ii) provide written or telephonic notice to all parents and guardians of children in his or her care before applying pesticide or having pesticide applied to day care center grounds.

(2) School districts must either (i) maintain a registry of parents and guardians of students who have registered to receive written or telephonic notification before the application of pesticide to school grounds and notify persons on that list before applying pesticide or having pesticide applied to school grounds or (ii) provide written or telephonic notification to all parents and guardians of students before applying pesticide or having pesticide applied to school grounds.

(3) Written notification required under item (1) or (2) of subsection (f) of this Section may be included in newsletters, calendars, or other correspondence currently published by the school district, but posting on a bulletin board is not sufficient. The written or telephonic notification must be given at least 4 business days before application of the pesticide and should identify the intended date of the application of the pesticide and the name and telephone contact number for the school personnel responsible for the pesticide application program or, in the case of a day care center, the owner or operator of the day care center. Prior notice shall not be required if there is imminent threat to health or property. If such a situation arises, the appropriate school personnel or, in the case of a day care center, the owner or operator of the day care center must sign a statement describing the circumstances that gave rise to the health threat and ensure that written or telephonic notice is provided as soon as practicable.

(Source: P.A. 96-424, eff. 8-13-09.)