Sky Zone Has 10 Days To Save License In Orland After Revocation

ORLAND PARK, IL — Sky Zone in Orland Park lost its business license, and it may be revoked for good if an appeal to the Village Board of Trustees isn't filed within the next 10 days, according to the village. The decision comes after a Sept. 12 fight inside the facility lead police to discover over 840 people inside, the village said.

On Sept. 12, police said the trampoline park, located at 66 Orland Square, was hosting a lock-in event when the fight occurred. At the time, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau told Patch 842 people, plus staff members were in the facility. Sky Zone's maximum capacity is approximately 682 people.

According to a news release from the village, Orland Park conducted a hearing to take a look at evidence and consider possibly revoking or suspending its license.

"We take very seriously the safety of residents and guest of Orland Park," said Orland Park Police Chief Joseph Mitchell in the release. "The incident that occurred in September presented a clear and present danger to the health, safety and welfare of those present."

The hearings took place on Sept. 30, Oct. 6 and Oct. 16, according to the village. Testimonies of 10 village-called witnesses and two witnesses called by Sky Zone were included. The village said that within the testimonies there were multiple and repetitive reports of concern regarding the safety and welfare of attendees at Sky Zone that night.

"An entertainment business whose sole business model is to attract children into its indoor park is particularly responsible because children at this young age are not able to protect themselves from harm," said Village Manager George Koczwara in the release.

He added, "It is a nuisance in fact and a blatant disregard for the safety of these children for Sky Zone to first create a dangerous environment outside of the business (for them and for the first responders), then take their money and allow them to come into an overcrowded facility, abruptly close the facility down without notice due to safety concerns, have a floor plan that has obstacles to egress in the event of an emergency, close exiting staircases and create a stampede potential, usher them into a small tight part of the building all at the same time and then summarily release 1,000 children into the dark night without following its own business evacuation plan to make sure the children are gathered outside safety and get a ride home.”

The village said Sky Zone's regional manager testified her opinion, saying the trampoline park and its employees "did everything correctly and followed the correct protocol to keep the patrons and the employees safe." Koczwara disagreed, according to the village.

"That is an alarming and dangerous corporate perspective," Koczwara said in the release. "The fact that Sky Zone does not understand or appreciate the serious jeopardy that it put these young children in and the hazardous conditions that it created for the children, the first responders and the general public, is inconceivable to me. It leads me to conclude that the same situation could and will likely occur again, with perhaps more dire consequences."

According to the village, after completing a review and deliberating, the Koczwara ordered Sky Zone Orland Park’s business license be revoked, in connection with the Suspension, Revocation and Appeal section of the Village Code.

"After considering the testimony, exhibits, credibility of witnesses and arguments offered at the hearing, I find that the Village Prosecutor has established, by clear and reliable evidence, each of the alleged violations of the Village Code set forth in the hearing notice provided to Sky Zone," Koczwara said.

Orland said Sky Zone can petition the village for reinstatement of its business license 90 days after the business is closed, and the license is officially revoked.

The business also has the right to appeal to the Village Board of Trustees. This would happen if the business files an appeal to the board within 10 days of the revocation notice, the village said. A written notice under oath with information regarding the appeal needs to be submitted, so the board will then set a time and place for the hearing.

The village said if a request for a hearing is not received within 10 days, the village manager’s decision will become final and Sky Zone's license will be revoked, with the location's closing going into effect.

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