HB4892 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB093 18975 WGH 44710 b

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
HB4892

Introduced 02/04/04, by Kevin Joyce, Paul D. Froehlich

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

815 ILCS 505/2QQ new

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Requires a person who promotes or stages a professional wrestling performance at a facility in this State to post signs at every entrance to the facility in such a manner that at least one of the signs is clearly visible to each person who enters the facility for the purpose of watching the performance. Provides that the signs shall contain a specified warning against copying the performers. Provides that a violation is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning business transactions.

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

Section 5. The Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act is amended by adding Section 2QQ as follows:

(815 ILCS 505/2QQ new)

Sec. 2QQ. Professional wrestling.

(a) As used in this Section, "professional wrestling" means noncompetitive unarmed fighting or combat:

(i) in which 2 or more participants execute blows, throws, or holds to the body of the opponent; and

(ii) which is staged primarily for the purpose of providing entertainment to spectators rather than as a bona fide athletic contest.

(b) Whenever members of the public are admitted to a facility in this State where professional wrestling is to be performed, the person who promotes or stages the performance must post signs at every entrance to the facility in such a manner that at least one of the signs is clearly visible to each person who enters the facility for the purpose of watching the performance. The sign shall contain the following statement in black 72-point type capital letters on a white background:

"PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING PERFORMERS ARE TRAINED TO AVOID HURTING EACH OTHER. IF YOU COPY THESE PERFORMERS, YOU MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR SUFFER SERIOUS INJURY."

(c) Any person who violates this Section commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of this Act.