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Illinois Pinball

companyactive15 mentionsFirst seen Oct 12, 2000Last seen Jun 1, 2025

Profile

Illinois Pinball is a US-based pinball manufacturer and parts reproduction company that operated in the mid-2000s, known for producing remakes of classic Williams/Bally pinball machines. Run by Gene Cunningham, the company manufactured reproduction playfields for games like Fun House, Centaur, Eight Ball Deluxe, and Kiss, as well as produced the Big Bang Bar remake. They also sold reproduction cabinet decals and provided technical expertise at industry trade shows, though their Big Bang Bar production experienced significant delays and quality control issues.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • foundedGene CunninghamGene Cunningham founded Illinois Pinball, which became a major player in pinball reproduction and asset acquisitionmedium

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (7)

  • factualhigh

    Illinois Pinball produced 191 Big Bang Bar remake machines in 2004 for approximately $4,500 each

    Source: Tom AltenbachEPC2025 - Tom Altenbach - Pinball News
  • factualhigh

    Illinois Pinball's web-based store only featured a small proportion of their products and order fulfillment was often uncertain

    Source: Article narratorIPB Sells Parts Stock
  • factualhigh

    Illinois Pinball did not bring Big Bang Bar to either Pinball at the Zoo (Kalamazoo) or Rocky Mountain Showdown despite strong customer interest

    Source: Multiple callers and Dan Nicholas at Rocky Mountain eventTOPCast 31: Tech show
  • factualhigh

    Illinois Pinball sent warning letters to distributors threatening loss of dealer status for selling non-licensed Williams parts

Recent Mentions (15)

  • Parts supplier company owned by Gene Cunningham; took over Williams parts supply responsibility in 1999 but failed to fulfill obligations to operators

    Episode 4 - Terry DeZwarte - Owner Pinball LifeJul 13, 2018
  • Company run by Gene Cunningham that produced Big Bang Bar remake with 191 units in 2004; subject of Tom's earlier project converting NBA Fast Break to Big Bang Bar theme

    EPC2025 - Tom Altenbach - Pinball NewsJun 1, 2025
  • Issued open letter in May 2001 about spare parts orders and Williams license deal

    Review of the YearNov 1, 2000
  • Competitor parts manufacturer run by Gene Cunningham; PPS indicates willingness to cooperate on playfield production

    Planetary Pinball SupplyOct 15, 2010
  • Pinball parts reproduction and remake manufacturer; holds Williams license for reproduction parts; sent aggressive enforcement letters to distributors in November 2002

    Illinois3Jan 1, 2002
  • US-based pinball parts and reproduction company founded/run by Gene Cunningham; acquired legacy stock from Williams, Alvin G, Capcom; specializes in cabinet art, playfields, plastic sets, backglasses, translites

Contradictions

  • Existing: Illinois Pinball is described as a separate entity in mention 5 (affiliated with Pinball Inc. through NAPA group)vsConflicting: Mention 4 and 5 both reference Gene Cunningham's company, but mention 5 distinguishes it as 'Pinball Inc.' affiliated through NAPA group, while other mentions call it 'Illinois Pinball'
    Unresolved

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Source: Article bodyIllinois3
  • factualhigh

    Illinois Pinball's marketing materials (Pool Player flyer) appeared unprofessional, including photographer's tripod reflection in backglasses

    Source: Pinball NewsGene Therapy
  • factualhigh

    Pool Player games demonstrated at AMOA Las Vegas show were non-functional and broke down repeatedly until unplayable

    Source: Pinball News reporting on AMOA showGene Therapy
  • factualhigh

    Pool Player is a rebranded version of Capcom BreakShots with variations in ball launcher type and cabinet leg colors

    Source: Pinball News articleGene Therapy
  • IPB Sells Parts Stock
    Apr 18, 2009
  • Pinball manufacturer and parts reproduction company founded by Gene Cunningham; acquired Williams replacement parts inventory and manufacturing license in October 2000

    Gene TherapyOct 12, 2000
  • Previously remade Big Bang Bar in small quantity after Capcom's original release

    More Remakes of Classic Pinball Machines Are ComingJun 27, 2023
  • Spare parts manufacturer founded by Gene Cunningham using Williams and Capcom assets after their closures

    Pinball Industy News: November 2019 Re-capDec 4, 2019
  • Pinball parts/reproduction company run by Gene Cunningham; allied with Pinball Inc. through NAPA group

    TOPCast 15: James LoflinMar 16, 2007
  • Cunningham's company producing pinball playfield remakes and utilizing Williams/Bally tooling

    TOPCast 11: Gene CunninghamMar 6, 2007
  • US-based pinball remake company with Williams rights; produced Big Bang Bar remake with significant delays and quality control issues

    TOPCast 8: Phil PalmerMar 1, 2007
  • Sells reproduction cabinet decals for classic games including Cactus Canyon and Monster Bash

    TOPCast 41: Tech showJun 30, 2007
  • Vendor exhibitor at both Kalamazoo and Rocky Mountain shows; brought reproduced playfields (Fun House, Centaur, Eight Ball Deluxe, Kiss); gave technical lectures on board repair and Big Bang Bar

    TOPCast 31: Tech showApr 29, 2007
  • Venue where Gene Cunningham's Big Bang Bar production occurred, location Jonathan visited to help with assembly

    TOPCast 27: Jonathan JoostenApr 15, 2007