230 ILCS 25/1.1 — Illinois Code / Chapter 230 / Act 25 / Section 1.1
Section 1.1
Status: in_force

(230 ILCS 25/1.1) Sec. 1.1. Definitions. For purposes of this Act, the following definitions apply: "Bingo" means a game in which each player has a card or board for which a consideration has been paid, containing 5 horizontal rows of spaces, with each row except the central one containing 5 figures. The central row has 4 figures with the word "free" marked in the center space. "Bingo" includes games that otherwise qualify under this paragraph, except for the use of cards where the figures are not preprinted but are filled in by the players. A player wins a game of bingo by completing a preannounced combination of spaces or, in the absence of a preannouncement of a combination of spaces, any combination of 5 spaces in a row, vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. "Bingo equipment" means any equipment or machinery designed or used for the play of bingo. "Bingo equipment" does not include electronic equipment. "Charitable organization" means an organization or institution organized and operated to benefit an indefinite number of the public. "Department" means the Department of Revenue. "Educational organization" means 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. "Fraternal organization" means an organization of persons having a common interest that is organized and operated exclusively to promote the welfare of its members and to benefit the general public on a continuing and consistent basis, including but not limited to ethnic organizations. "Holiday" means any of the holidays listed in Section 17 of the Promissory Note and Bank Holiday Act. "Labor organization" means an organization composed of labor unions or workers organized with the objectives of betterment of the conditions of those engaged in such pursuit and the development of a higher degree of efficiency in their respective occupations. "Licensed organization" means a qualified organization that has obtained a license to conduct bingo in conformance with the provisions of this Act. "Limited license" means a license issued to an organization that is not a licensed organization, but that is otherwise eligible for a regular license to conduct bingo. A limited license authorizes the conduct of bingo at up to 2 indoor or outdoor festivals during the calendar year for which the license is issued for a maximum of 5 consecutive days on each occasion. "Non-profit organization" means an organization or institution organized and conducted on a not-for-profit basis with no personal profit inuring to anyone as a result of the operation. "Organization" means a corporation, agency, partnership, association, firm, business or other entity consisting of 2 or more persons joined by a common interest or purpose. "Person" means any natural individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, organization (as defined in this Section), licensee under this Act, or volunteer. "Provider" means any person or organization, except a city, village, or incorporated town that owns or leases premises to an organization for the conduct of bingo. "Regular license" means a license authorizing its holder to conduct one session of bingo per week on the date and at the time and location stated on the license. "Religious organization" means any church, congregation, society, or organization founded for the purpose of religious worship. "Senior citizens organization" means an organization or association comprised of members of which substantially all are individuals who are senior citizens, as defined in the Illinois Act on the Aging, the primary purpose of which is to promote the welfare of its members. "Special games" means bingo games that may be designated as such, played a maximum of 5 times during a bingo session and are distinguished from regular games only by the maximum price that may be charged for the bingo cards used. "Special permit" means the ability of a licensee who currently holds a license to be granted a permit to conduct bingo on other days not exceeding 5 consecutive days. "Supplier" means any person, firm, or corporation that sells, leases, or distributes to any organization licensed to conduct bingo or to any licensed bingo supplier, cards, boards, sheets, markers, pads and any other supplies, devices and equipment designed for use in the play of bingo. "Veterans' organization" means an organization 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. "Volunteer" means a person recruited by an organization who voluntarily performs services at a bingo event, including participation in the management or operation of a game. "Youth athletic organization" means an organization having as its exclusive purpose the promotion and provision of athletic activities for youth aged 18 and under. (Source: P.A. 99-177, eff. 7-29-15.)