230 ILCS 15/2

(230 ILCS 15/2) (from Ch. 85, par. 2302)

Sec. 2. Licensing.

(a) The governing body of any county or municipality within this State may establish a system for the licensing of organizations to operate raffles. The governing bodies of a county and one or more municipalities may, pursuant to a written contract, jointly establish a system for the licensing of organizations to operate raffles within any area of contiguous territory not contained within the corporate limits of a municipality which is not a party to such contract. The governing bodies of two or more adjacent counties or two or more adjacent municipalities located within a county may, pursuant to a written contract, jointly establish a system for the licensing of organizations to operate raffles within the corporate limits of such counties or municipalities. The licensing authority may establish special categories of licenses and promulgate rules relating to the various categories. The licensing system shall provide for limitations upon (1) the aggregate retail value of all prizes or merchandise awarded by a licensee in a single raffle, if any, (2) the maximum retail value of each prize awarded by a licensee in a single raffle, if any, (3) the maximum price which may be charged for each raffle chance issued or sold, if any, and (4) the maximum number of days during which chances may be issued or sold, if any. The licensing system may include a fee for each license in an amount to be determined by the local governing body. Licenses issued pursuant to this Act shall be valid for one raffle or for a specified number of raffles to be conducted during a specified period not to exceed one year and may be suspended or revoked for any violation of this Act. A local governing body shall act on a license application within 30 days from the date of application. A county or municipality may adopt rules or ordinances for the operation of raffles that are consistent with this Act. Raffles shall be licensed by the governing body of the municipality with jurisdiction over the key location or, if no municipality has jurisdiction over the key location, then by the governing body of the county with jurisdiction over the key location. A license shall authorize the holder of such license to sell raffle chances throughout the State, including beyond the borders of the licensing municipality or county.

(a-5) The governing body of Cook County may and any other county within this State shall establish a system for the licensing of organizations to operate poker runs. The governing bodies of 2 or more adjacent counties may, pursuant to a written contract, jointly establish a system for the licensing of organizations to operate poker runs within the corporate limits of such counties. The licensing authority may establish special categories of licenses and adopt rules relating to the various categories. The licensing system may include a fee not to exceed $25 for each license. Licenses issued pursuant to this Act shall be valid for one poker run or for a specified number of poker runs to be conducted during a specified period not to exceed one year and may be suspended or revoked for any violation of this Act. A local governing body shall act on a license application within 30 days after the date of application.

(b) Raffle licenses shall be issued only: (1) to bona fide religious, charitable, labor, business, fraternal, educational, veterans', or other bona fide not-for-profit organizations that operate without profit to their members and which have been in existence continuously for a period of 5 years immediately before making application for a raffle license and which have during that entire 5-year period been engaged in carrying out their objects, (2) to a non-profit fundraising organization that the licensing authority determines is organized for the sole purpose of providing financial assistance to an identified individual or group of individuals suffering extreme financial hardship as the result of an illness, disability, accident, or disaster, (3) to any law enforcement agencies and associations that represent law enforcement officials, or (4) to any fire protection agencies and associations that represent fire protection officials. Poker run licenses shall be issued only to bona fide religious, charitable, labor, business, fraternal, educational, veterans', or other bona fide not-for-profit organizations that operate without profit to their members and which have been in existence continuously for a period of 5 years immediately before making application for a poker run license and which have during that entire 5-year period been engaged in carrying out their objects. Licenses for poker runs shall be issued for the following purposes: (i) providing financial assistance to an identified individual or group of individuals suffering extreme financial hardship as the result of an illness, disability, accident, or disaster or (ii) to maintain the financial stability of the organization. A licensing authority may waive the 5-year requirement under this subsection (b) for a bona fide religious, charitable, labor, business, fraternal, educational, or veterans' organization that applies for a license to conduct a raffle or a poker run if the organization is a local organization that is affiliated with and chartered by a national or State organization that meets the 5-year requirement.

For purposes of this Act, the following definitions apply. Non-profit: An organization or institution organized and conducted on a not-for-profit basis with no personal profit inuring to any one as a result of the operation. Charitable: An organization or institution organized and operated to benefit an indefinite number of the public. The service rendered to those eligible for benefits must also confer some benefit on the public. Educational: An organization or institution organized and operated to provide systematic instruction in useful branches of learning by methods common to schools and institutions of learning which compare favorably in their scope and intensity with the course of study presented in tax-supported schools. Religious: Any church, congregation, society, or organization founded for the purpose of religious worship. Fraternal: An organization of persons having a common interest, the primary interest of which is to both promote the welfare of its members and to provide assistance to the general public in such a way as to lessen the burdens of government by caring for those that otherwise would be cared for by the government. Veterans: An organization or association comprised of members of which substantially all are individuals who are veterans or spouses, widows, or widowers of veterans, the primary purpose of which is to promote the welfare of its members and to provide assistance to the general public in such a way as to confer a public benefit. Labor: An organization composed of workers organized with the objective of betterment of the conditions of those engaged in such pursuit and the development of a higher degree of efficiency in their respective occupations. Business: A voluntary organization composed of individuals and businesses who have joined together to advance the commercial, financial, industrial and civic interests of a community.

(Source: P.A. 101-109, eff. 7-19-19; 101-360, eff. 1-1-20; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21; 102-689, eff. 12-17-21.)