HB2947 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 11840 LNS 21930 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB2947

Introduced 2/6/2025, by Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

230 ILCS 10/9

from Ch. 120, par. 2409

Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Provides that the Illinois Gaming Board shall not require individuals hired exclusively to perform functions that are not related in any way to gaming operations to hold an occupational license. Provides that the Board may issue a non-gaming identification badge upon payment of a non-refundable annual fee set by the Board. Sets forth eligibility requirements for a non-gaming identification badge. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning gaming.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Gambling Act is amended by changing Section 9 as follows:

(230 ILCS 10/9) (from Ch. 120, par. 2409)

Sec. 9. Occupational licenses.

(a) The Board may issue an occupational license to an applicant upon the payment of a non-refundable fee set by the Board, upon a determination by the Board that the applicant is eligible for an occupational license and upon payment of an annual license fee in an amount to be established. To be eligible for an occupational license, an applicant must:

(1) be at least 21 years of age if the applicant will perform any function involved in gaming by patrons. Any applicant seeking an occupational license for a non-gaming function shall be at least 18 years of age;

(2) not have been convicted of a felony offense, a violation of Article 28 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012, or a similar statute of any other jurisdiction if the applicant will perform any function involved in gaming by patrons;

(2.5) not have been convicted of a crime, other than a crime described in item (2) of this subsection (a), involving dishonesty or moral turpitude if the applicant will perform any function involved in gaming by patrons, except that the Board may, in its discretion, issue an occupational license to a person who has been convicted of a crime described in this item (2.5) more than 10 years prior to his or her application and has not subsequently been convicted of any other crime;

(3) have demonstrated a level of skill or knowledge which the Board determines to be necessary in order to operate gambling aboard a riverboat, in a casino, or at an organization gaming facility; and

(4) have met standards for the holding of an occupational license as adopted by rules of the Board. Such rules shall provide that any person or entity seeking an occupational license to manage gambling operations under this Act shall be subject to background inquiries and further requirements similar to those required of applicants for an owners license. Furthermore, such rules shall provide that each such entity shall be permitted to manage gambling operations for only one licensed owner.

(b) Each application for an occupational license shall be on forms prescribed by the Board and shall contain all information required by the Board. The applicant shall set forth in the application: whether he has been issued prior gambling related licenses; whether he has been licensed in any other state under any other name, and, if so, such name and his age; and whether or not a permit or license issued to him in any other state has been suspended, restricted or revoked, and, if so, for what period of time.

(c) Each applicant shall submit with his application, on forms provided by the Board, 2 sets of his fingerprints. 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.

(d) The Board may in its discretion refuse an occupational license to any person: (1) who is unqualified to perform the duties required of such applicant; (2) who fails to disclose or states falsely any information called for in the application; (3) who has been found guilty of a violation of this Act or whose prior gambling related license or application therefor has been suspended, restricted, revoked or denied for just cause in any other state; (4) who has a background, including a criminal record, reputation, habits, social or business associations, or prior activities, that poses a threat to the public interests of this State or to the security and integrity of gaming; or (5) for any other just cause. When considering criminal convictions of an applicant, the Board shall consider the following factors:

(1) the length of time since the conviction;

(2) the number of convictions that appear on the conviction record;

(3) the nature and severity of the conviction and its relationship to the safety and security of others or the integrity of gaming;

(4) the facts or circumstances surrounding the conviction;

(5) the age of the employee at the time of the conviction; and

(6) evidence of rehabilitation efforts.

(e) The Board may suspend, revoke or restrict any occupational licensee: (1) for violation of any provision of this Act; (2) for violation of any of the rules and regulations of the Board; (3) for any cause which, if known to the Board, would have disqualified the applicant from receiving such license; or (4) for default in the payment of any obligation or debt due to the State of Illinois; or (5) for any other just cause.

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

(g) Any license issued pursuant to this Section shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance.

(h) Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to prohibit a licensed owner or organization gaming licensee from entering into an agreement with a public community college or a school approved under the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012 for the training of any occupational licensee. Any training offered by such a school shall be in accordance with a written agreement between the licensed owner or organization gaming licensee and the school.

(i) Any training provided for occupational licensees may be conducted either at the site of the gambling facility or at a school with which a licensed owner or organization gaming licensee has entered into an agreement pursuant to subsection (h).

(j) The Board shall not require individuals hired exclusively to perform functions that are not related in any way to gaming operations to hold an occupational license. The Board may issue a non-gaming identification badge upon payment of a non-refundable annual fee set by the Board. To be eligible for a non-gaming identification badge, the individual must:

(1) be at least 18 years of age;

(2) have passed a background check completed by a licensed owner or organization gaming licensee; and

(3) pass an annual background check completed by a licensed owner or organization gaming licensee.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 103-550, eff. 1-1-24.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.