Six Flags parks operating in Illinois
According to Six Flags' official park directory, one Six Flags-branded amusement park and its adjacent water park currently operate in Illinois, both in Gurnee:
Six Flags Great America
Gurnee, IL — amusement park, 17 roller coasters including Goliath and Superman: Ultimate Flight
Hurricane Harbor Chicago
Gurnee, IL — 20-acre water park adjacent to Six Flags Great America
Great America was not among the parks Six Flags divested to EPR Properties in 2026 (Valleyfair, Worlds of Fun, Michigan's Adventure, Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston, Six Flags St. Louis, Six Flags Great Escape, and La Ronde) and remains company-operated.
Illinois's statute of limitations
- 2 years — the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois, under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.
- The clock generally starts on the date of the injury, though a discovery rule can delay it when the injury wasn't immediately apparent.
- Different, often shorter deadlines can apply for claims against government entities or involving a minor — an attorney can confirm which rule applies to a specific case.
- Missing the 2-year window generally bars the claim permanently.
A real, pending case shows the deadline in action. Annabella Pearce was injured at Six Flags Great America on July 12, 2024. She filed suit against the park on December 31, 2025 — about a year and a half later, still comfortably inside Illinois's 2-year window, but with less than seven months of it left. Waiting to act shrinks the time an attorney has to investigate and build a case, even when the deadline itself hasn't passed.
Real Illinois Six Flags Great America lawsuits and rulings
Court records and news reporting document a real, currently pending case and a prior appellate ruling against the park:
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2011
A guest is injured at Hurricane Harbor's Wahoo Racer waterslide at Six Flags Great America, sustaining hand and wrist injuries.
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June 2, 2017
An Illinois appeals court upholds a $1.5 million judgment against Six Flags Great America over the Wahoo Racer waterslide injury, citing negligent operation.
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July 12, 2024
Annabella Pearce is injured riding Superman: Ultimate Flight at Six Flags Great America when the ride allegedly malfunctions and fails to enter the off-loading platform properly, causing her to fall and injure her right knee, requiring surgery.
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December 31, 2025
Pearce files suit against Great America, LLC in the Circuit Court of Lake County, Illinois (19th Judicial Circuit), alleging negligence and res ipsa loquitur and seeking damages in excess of $50,000.
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March 5, 2026
An initial case management hearing is scheduled in the Pearce lawsuit.
What this means if you were injured in Illinois
The Pearce lawsuit is a real, currently active example of how an Illinois theme park injury claim moves from incident to filed complaint — and the Wahoo Racer ruling shows Illinois courts have already held Six Flags Great America liable for a ride injury caused by negligent operation. If you or a family member were injured at Six Flags Great America or Hurricane Harbor Chicago, the two steps that protect your legal rights are: report the injury to the park in writing immediately, and speak with an attorney well before Illinois's 2-year filing deadline.
Sources
- Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, official park directory — sixflags.com/greatamerica and sixflags.com/select-park (confirms Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor Chicago as current Illinois properties)
- 735 ILCS 5/13-202, Illinois Compiled Statutes (personal injury statute of limitations) — ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=073500050K13-202
- Lake & McHenry County Scanner, "Lawsuit says woman required surgery after fall from Superman ride at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee" (Jan. 12, 2026) — lakemchenryscanner.com
- People, "Six Flags Guest Sues Park After Allegedly Falling from 'Superman' Coaster" (Jan. 2026) — people.com
- USA Today, "Six Flags Great America guest sues over roller coaster injury" (Jan. 15, 2026) — usatoday.com
- Chicago Tribune, "Court upholds $1.5M judgment for Six Flags Great America waterslide injury" (June 2, 2017) — chicagotribune.com
Frequently asked questions
Which Six Flags properties are in Illinois?
Six Flags Great America and the adjacent Hurricane Harbor Chicago water park, both in Gurnee, per Six Flags' official park directory.
What is Illinois's statute of limitations for personal injury?
Two years from the date of injury, under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, subject to limited exceptions like the discovery rule.
Has anyone actually sued Six Flags Great America?
Yes — Annabella Pearce filed a real, currently pending lawsuit in Lake County, Illinois over a July 2024 fall from the Superman: Ultimate Flight coaster. An Illinois appeals court also previously upheld a $1.5 million judgment against the park over a 2011 waterslide injury.
What should I do if I was injured at an Illinois amusement park?
Report the injury to park staff in writing, seek medical care, preserve documentation, and speak with an attorney well before Illinois's 2-year filing deadline.
This page summarizes publicly available court records and news reporting for informational purposes and is not legal advice. Facts are attributed to the sources listed above. RollerCoasterInjury.com is an attorney-advertising and lead-generation site, not a law firm, and is not affiliated with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.