Hoping to cut down on trouble before it starts, Six Flags Great America in Gurnee is tightening who can roam the midway without an adult for its 2026 season. Anyone 15 and younger will now need a chaperone who is at least 21 years old, and that adult has to stick with them for the entire visit.
The updated policy, outlined on the park’s official rules page, spells out what counts as a proper chaperone. Adults must show a valid, government-issued photo ID with a date of birth at the gate, enter the park with their group, and stay on-site while remaining reachable by phone. One chaperone can supervise up to 10 guests age 15 or younger. Guests under 16 who are found inside the park without a qualifying chaperone can be removed, whether they are using a one-day ticket, a season pass, or a membership, according to Six Flags Great America.
What Changed This Year
In past seasons, Great America’s chaperone requirement was mostly a nighttime or special-event thing. The 2026 update moves that line up, so the rules now cover regular opening hours too. NBC Chicago noted that the policy will be active during operating hours and that management can decide to start enforcement earlier if they think it is necessary.
Why The Park Expanded Enforcement
Park notices and local reporting point to safety concerns as the main driver behind the stricter approach. CBS Chicago reported that the policy’s 2025 reactivation followed a July incident in which police investigated shots fired in the parking lot. In other cities, new chaperone rules have been linked to fights on the property, and First Alert 4 recently covered similar measures at other Six Flags parks after weekend disturbances.
Security, Dress Code And Enforcement Details
The park’s guest code of conduct spells out how these rules will be enforced once you are inside. Clothing or tattoos that include hateful, vulgar, or discriminatory language can get a guest removed from the park. The policy also notes that staff will rely on surveillance systems and body-worn cameras throughout the property.
The same documents go into dress code limits, including restrictions on clothing that drags on the ground or reveals what the park describes as excessive portions of skin. The full language appears in a park guide and code document published by Six Flags.
For parents, guardians, and group leaders, the practical checklist is simple but strict: bring a government-issued photo ID that shows your birth date, enter the gate with your group, and plan to stay in the park while your teens are there. If you are organizing a school outing or a large group visit, the park suggests checking with Six Flags’ group sales team ahead of time to confirm chaperone requirements and double-checking operating hours on the day of your trip.
Hoodline previously covered the policy’s 2025 reinstatement; this 2026 update pushes enforcement into daytime hours and will shape how families and summer groups plan their visits. We will track any new announcements from the park or local authorities and update this story as needed.
