[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village
of Westville as Ch. 7, Art. IV, of the 2015 Code. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
(See 65 ILCS 5/11-55-1.)
Definitions of terms as used in this chapter, unless the context
otherwise clearly indicates, are as follows:
Any amusement machine or device operated by means of the
insertion of a coin, token, or currency for the purpose of amusement
or skill and for the playing of which a fee is charged. The term includes,
but is not limited to juke boxes, electronic video games, pinball
machines or other similar games. The term does not include vending
machines in which there are not incorporated gaming or amusement features.
Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or
club who or which sets up for operation by another or leases or distributes
for the purpose of operation by another, any device(s) herein defined,
whether such setting up for operation, leasing or distributing be
for a fixed charge or rental or on the basis of a division of the
income from such device or otherwise.
Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or
a club who or which, as the owner, lessee or proprietor, has under
his or its control any establishment, place or premises in or on which
such device is placed or kept for use or play or on exhibition for
the purpose of use or play.
No person, firm or corporation shall engage in the business
of an operator of coin-operated amusement devices within the corporate
limits of this municipality without having first obtained the proper
license therefor.
Application for a license shall be verified by oath or affidavit
and contain the following information:
A.
The name, age and address of the applicant in the case of an individual
and, in the case of a copartnership, of the persons entitled to share
in the profits thereof; and in the case of a corporation, the date
of incorporation, the objects for which it was organized, the names
and addresses of the officers and directors; and if a majority in
interest of the stock of such corporation is owned by one person or
his nominee(s), the name and address of such person(s).
B.
The citizenship of the applicant, his place of birth; or if a naturalized
citizen, the time and place of his naturalization.
C.
The address of the place where the applicant proposes to operate.
D.
A statement whether the applicant has made a similar application
for a similar license on premises other than those described in the
application and the disposition of such other application.
E.
A statement that the applicant has never been convicted of a felony
and is not disqualified to receive the license under this chapter.
No license under this chapter shall be issued to:
A.
Any person who is not a citizen of the United States.
B.
Any person who is not of good character and reputation in the community.
C.
Any person who has been convicted of a felony under the laws of Illinois;
or of being the keeper of a house of ill-fame; or of pandering or
other crime or misdemeanor opposed to decency or morality.
D.
Any person whose license issued under this chapter has been revoked
for cause.
E.
Any partnership, unless all of the members of the partnership are
qualified to obtain such license.
F.
Any corporation if any officer, manager or director thereof, or any
stockholder or stockholders owning in the aggregate more than 5% of
the stock of such corporation, would not be eligible to receive a
license for any reason other than citizenship or residency within
this municipality.
G.
Any person whose place of business is conducted by a manager or agent
unless the manager or agent is of legal age and possesses the same
qualifications required of the licensee.
H.
Any person who does not own the premises for which a license is sought,
or does not have a lease therefor for the full period for which the
license is to be issued.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The annual fee for such license shall be set from time to time
by the Board of Trustees by resolution for each coin-operated amusement
device set up for operation, leased or distributed to a proprietor.
A.
All operator's license fees shall be payable annually in advance,
and in no case shall any portion of said license fee be refunded to
the licensee.
B.
The license period shall be from January 1 to December 31 of the
same year, and all applications for renewal shall be made to the Clerk
not more than 30 days, but no less than 15 days, prior to the expiration
of such license.
The location of a license may be changed only upon the written
permission of the Mayor. Any license issued hereunder shall be nonassignable
and nontransferable.
[Amended 5-31-2012 by Ord. No. 12-1426]
All licensed devices shall, at all times, be kept and placed
in plain view of any person or persons who may frequent or be in any
place of business where such devices are kept or used.
Every licensee shall frame and hang his license in a conspicuous
place in the licensed premises.
The Chief of Police has the power to and shall inspect any place,
building or premises in which any licensed device or devices are operated
or set up for operation at such times and intervals as he may deem
necessary for the proper enforcement of this chapter.
