New Ill. Law Requires Background Check on Carnival Ride Workers

A new Illinois law requires background checks on workers who operate amusement park and carnival rides.

Governor Rod Blagojevich says the law is designed to protect children by preventing registered sex offenders and other convicted felons from operating rides.

The law takes effect Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008.

Starting then, carnival owners and operators have to conduct a criminal history records check and a sex offender registry check on potential employees.

That means carnival owners and operators can’t hire a carnival worker who has been convicted of rape, murder or other sexual offenses.

Penalties range from $1,000 to $15,000.

The Illinois Department of Labor is establishing training standards for carnival operators