(625 ILCS 45/Art. I heading) ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS - APPLICATION - JURISDICTION

(625 ILCS 45/1-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 311-1)

Sec. 1-1. Title and declaration of intent. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Boat Registration and Safety Act." It is the policy of this State to promote safety for persons and property in and connected with the use, operation and equipment of vessels and to promote uniformity of laws relating thereto.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/1-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 311-2)

Sec. 1-2. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:

"Airboat" means a vessel that is typically flat-bottomed and propelled by an aircraft-type propeller powered by an engine.

"Competent" means capable of assisting a water skier in case of injury or accident.

"Dealer" means any person who engages in the business of manufacturing, selling, or dealing in, on consignment or otherwise, any number of new watercraft or 5 or more used watercraft of any make during the year, including any off-highway vehicle dealer or snowmobile dealer or a person licensed as a new or used vehicle dealer who also sells or deals in, on consignment or otherwise, any number of watercraft as defined in this Act.

"Department" means the Department of Natural Resources.

"Inland Rules" means the Inland Navigation Rules Act of 1980.

"International regulations" means the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, including annexes currently in force for the United States.

"Leeward side" means the side of a vessel's sail that is facing away or sheltered from the wind.

"Lifeboat" means a small boat kept on board a larger boat for use in an emergency.

"Motorboat" or "power-driven vessel" means any vessel propelled by machinery.

"Nonpowered watercraft" or "human-powered watercraft" means any canoe, kayak, kiteboard, paddleboard, ribbed inflatable, or any other watercraft propelled by oars, paddles, or poles but not powered by sail, canvas, human body part, or machinery of any sort.

"Operate" means to use, navigate, employ, or otherwise be in actual physical control of a motorboat or vessel.

"Operator" means a person who operates or is in actual physical control of a watercraft.

"Owner" means a person, other than a secured party, having property rights or title to a watercraft. "Owner" includes a person entitled to the use or possession of a motorboat subject to an interest in another person, reserved or created by agreement and securing payment of performance of an obligation. "Owner" does not include a lessee under a lease not intended as security.

"Person" means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, or association, and any agent, assignee, trustee, executor, receiver, or representative thereof.

"Personal flotation device" or "PFD" means a device that is approved by the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, under Part 160 of Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

"Personal watercraft" means a vessel propelled by a water jet pump or other machinery as its primary source of motive power and designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than within the confines of a hull.

"Principally operated" means the vessel is or will be primarily operated within the jurisdiction of the State during a calendar year.

"Recreational boat" means any vessel manufactured or used primarily for noncommercial use, or leased, rented, or chartered to another for noncommercial use.

"Sailboat" or "sailing vessel" means any vessel under sail so long as the propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.

"Seaplane" means any aircraft designed to maneuver on the water.

"Specialty prop-craft" means a vessel that is similar in appearance and operation to a personal watercraft but that is powered by an outboard or propeller driven motor.

"Throwable PFD" has the meaning provided in 33 CFR 175.13.

"Underway" applies to a vessel or watercraft at all times except when it is moored at a dock or anchorage area.

"Use" applies to all vessels on the waters of this State, whether moored or underway.

"Vessel" or "watercraft" means every watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, except a seaplane on the water, air mattress or similar device, and boats used for concession rides in artificial bodies of water designed and used exclusively for such concessions.

"Waters of this State" means any water within the jurisdiction of this State.

"Wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device", "wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD", and "wearable PFD" have the meaning provided for "wearable PFD" in 33 CFR 175.13.

"Windward side" means the side of a vessel's sail that has the wind blowing into the sail.

"Wing in Ground" (WIG) vessel means a multimodal vessel which, in its main operational mode, flies in close proximity to the surface utilizing surface-effect action.

(Source: P.A. 102-595, eff. 6-1-22.)

(625 ILCS 45/1-3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 311-3)

Sec. 1-3. Application and jurisdiction. The Department shall, for the purposes of this Act, have full and complete jurisdiction of all waters within the boundaries of the State of Illinois, subject only to the paramount authority of the Federal Government with reference to the navigation of such stream or streams and further subject to such powers as may be granted to political subdivisions of the State. Wherever the provisions of this Act conflict with the laws and regulations of the Federal Government, the laws and regulations of the Federal Government shall take precedence.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/1-4) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 311-4)

Sec. 1-4. The Department is authorized to issue administrative rules for carrying out, administering and enforcing the provisions of this Act. The administrative rules shall be promulgated in accordance with The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

Such rules, after becoming effective, shall be enforced in the same manner as are any other provisions of this Act and violators thereof are subject to the penalties set out in this Act.

(Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/1-5) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 311-5)

Sec. 1-5. The Department is authorized to cooperate with and to enter into reciprocal agreements with the appropriate departments of the federal government and other departments or agencies of other states for carrying out, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/Art. II heading) ARTICLE II. ENFORCEMENT - INSPECTION - PROSECUTIONS

(625 ILCS 45/2-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 312-1)

Sec. 2-1. Enforcement.) It is the duty of all Conservation Police Officers and other employees of the Department designated by the Director to enforce this Act, and all sheriffs, deputy sheriffs and other police officers to arrest any person detected in violation of any of the provisions of this Act. It is further the duty of all such officers to make prompt investigation of any violation of the provisions of this Act reported by any other person, and to cause a complaint to be filed before the circuit court if there seems just ground for such complaint and evidence procurable to support the same.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/2-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 312-2)

Sec. 2-2. Inspection; removal; impoundment.

(a) Agents of the Department or other duly authorized police officers may board and inspect any boat at any time for the purpose of determining if this Act is being complied with. If the boarding officer or agent discovers any violation of this Act, he may issue a summons to the operator of the boat requiring that the operator appear before the circuit court for the county within which the offense was committed.

(b) Every vessel subject to this Act, if under way and upon being hailed by a designated law enforcement officer, must stop immediately and lay to.

(c) Agents of the Department and other duly authorized police officers may enforce all federal laws and regulations which have been mutually agreed upon by the federal and state governments and are applicable to the operation of watercraft on navigable waters and federal impoundments where concurrent jurisdiction exists between the federal and state governments.

(d) Agents of the Department and other duly authorized police officers may seize and impound, at the owner's or operator's expense, any watercraft involved in a boating accident or a violation of Section 3A-21, 5-1, 5-2, or 5-16 of this Act.

(e) If a watercraft is causing a traffic hazard because of its position on a waterway or its physical appearance is causing the impeding of traffic, its immediate removal from the waterway by a towing service may be authorized by a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction.

(f) Whenever a peace officer reasonably believes that a person under arrest for a violation of Section 5-1, 5-2 or 5-16 of this Act or similar provision of a local ordinance, is likely, upon release, to commit a subsequent violation of Section 5-1, 5-2 or 5-16 or a similar provision of a local ordinance, the arresting officer shall have the watercraft which the person was operating at the time of the arrest impounded for a period of not more than 12 hours after the time of the arrest. The watercraft may be released by the arresting law enforcement agency without impoundment, or may be released prior to the end of the impoundment period, however, if:

(1) the watercraft was not owned by the person under arrest, and the lawful owner requesting release possesses proof of ownership, and would not, as determined by the arresting law enforcement agency: (i) indicate a lack of ability to operate a watercraft in a safe manner, or (ii) otherwise, by operating the watercraft, be in violation of this Act; or

(2) the watercraft is owned by the person under arrest, and the person under arrest gives permission to another person to operate the watercraft, and the other person would not, as determined by the arresting law enforcement agency: (i) indicate a lack of ability to operate a watercraft in a safe manner, or (ii) otherwise, by operating the watercraft, be in violation of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-156, eff. 1-1-04.)

(625 ILCS 45/2-3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 312-3)

Sec. 2-3. Prosecutions. All prosecutions under the provisions of this Act shall be brought in the name and by the authority of the People of the State of Illinois before the circuit court having jurisdiction under the law relative to the enforcement of the provisions hereof. It is the duty of all State's Attorneys to enforce the provisions of this Act in their respective counties, and to prosecute all persons charged with violating the provisions hereof.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/2-4) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 312-4)

Sec. 2-4. Resistance to officers.

(a) It is unlawful for any person to resist or obstruct any officer or employee of the Department in the discharge of his duties under the provisions hereof.

(b) It is unlawful for the operator of a watercraft, having been given a signal by a conservation police officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, or other police officer directing the operator of the watercraft to bring the watercraft to a stop, to willfully fail or refuse to obey the direction, to increase speed, to extinguish lights, or otherwise flee or attempt to elude the officer. The signal given by the officer may be by hand, voice, sign, siren, or blue or red light.

(Source: P.A. 88-524.)

(625 ILCS 45/2-5) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 312-5)

Sec. 2-5. False representation. It is unlawful for any person to represent himself falsely to be an officer or employee of the Department or to assume to act as such without having been duly appointed and employed as such.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/Art. III heading) ARTICLE III. REGISTRATION OF MOTORBOATS AND SAILBOATS OVER 12 FEET IN LENGTH

(625 ILCS 45/3-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-1)

Sec. 3-1. Unlawful operation of unnumbered watercraft. Every watercraft other than non-powered watercraft on waters within the jurisdiction of this State shall be numbered. No person may operate, use, or store or give permission for the operation, usage, or storage of any such watercraft on such waters unless it has on board while in operation:

(A) A valid certificate of number is issued in accordance with this Act, or in accordance with applicable federal law, or in accordance with a federally approved numbering system of another State, and unless:

(1) the pocket-sized certificate of number awarded to such watercraft is in full force and effect; or

(2) the operator is in possession of a valid 60-day temporary permit under this Act.

(B) The identifying number set forth in the certificate of number is displayed on each side of the bow of such watercraft.

The certificate of number, lease, or rental agreement required by this Section shall be available at all times for inspection at the request of a federal, State, or local law enforcement officer on the watercraft for which it is issued. No person shall operate a watercraft under this Section unless the certificate of number, lease, or rental agreement required is carried on board in a manner that it can be handed to a requesting law enforcement officer for inspection. A holder of a certificate of number shall notify the Department within 30 days if the holder's address no longer conforms to the address appearing on the certificate and shall furnish the Department with the holder's new address. The Department may provide for in its rules and regulations for the surrender of the certificate bearing the former address and its replacement with a certificate bearing the new address or for the alteration of an outstanding certificate to show the new address of the holder.

(Source: P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18.)

(625 ILCS 45/3-1.5)

Sec. 3-1.5. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 97-1136, eff. 1-1-13. Repealed by P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18.)

(625 ILCS 45/3-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-2)

Sec. 3-2. Identification number application. The owner of each watercraft requiring numbering by this State shall file an application for number with the Department on forms approved by it. The application shall be signed by the owner of the watercraft and shall be accompanied by a fee as follows:

Upon receipt of the application in approved form, and when satisfied that no tax imposed pursuant to the "Municipal Use Tax Act" or the "County Use Tax Act" is owed, or that such tax has been paid, the Department shall enter the same upon the records of its office and issue to the applicant a certificate of number stating the number awarded to the watercraft and the name and address of the owner.

The Department shall deposit 20% of all money collected from watercraft registrations into the Conservation Police Operations Assistance Fund. The monies deposited into the Conservation Police Operations Assistance Fund under this Section shall not be subject to administrative charges or chargebacks unless otherwise authorized by this Act.

(Source: P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18.)

(625 ILCS 45/3-3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-3)

Sec. 3-3. Identification number display.

A. The owner shall paint on or attach to both sides of the bow (front) of a watercraft the identification number, which shall be of block characters at least 3 inches in height. The figures shall read from left to right, be of contrasting color to their background, and be maintained in a legible condition. No other number shall be displayed on the bow of the boat. In affixing the number to the boat, a space or a hyphen shall be provided between the IL and the number and another space or hyphen between the number and the letters which follow. On vessels of unconventional design or constructed so that it is impractical or impossible to display identification numbers in a prominent position on the forward half of their hulls or permanent substructures, numbers may be displayed in brackets or fixtures firmly attached to the vessel. Exact positioning of the numbers in brackets or protruding fixtures shall be discretionary with vessel owners, providing the numbers are placed on the forward half of the vessel and meet the standard requirements for legibility, size, style and contrast with the background.

B. A watercraft already covered by a number in full force and effect which has been awarded to it pursuant to Federal law is exempt from number display as prescribed by this Section.

C. All non-powered watercraft are exempt from number display as prescribed by this Section.

(Source: P.A. 97-1136, eff. 1-1-13.)

(625 ILCS 45/3-4) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-4)

Sec. 3-4. Destruction, sale, transfer or abandonment. The owner of any watercraft shall within 15 days notify the Department if the watercraft is destroyed or abandoned, or is sold or transferred either wholly or in part to another person or persons. In sale or transfer cases, the notice shall be accompanied by a surrender of the certificate of number. In destruction or abandonment cases, the notice shall be accompanied by a surrender of the certificate of title. When the surrender of the certificate is by reason of the watercraft being destroyed or abandoned, the Department shall cancel the certificate and enter such fact in its records. The Department shall be notified in writing of any change of address. Should the owner desire a new certificate of number, showing the new address, he shall surrender his old certificate and notify the Department of the new address, remitting $1 to cover the issuance of a new certificate of number. If the surrender is by reason of a sale or transfer either wholly or in part to another person or persons, the owner surrendering the certificate shall state to the Department, under oath, the name of the purchaser or transferee.

Non-powered watercraft are exempt from this Section.

(Source: P.A. 97-1136, eff. 1-1-13.)

(625 ILCS 45/3-5) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-5)

Sec. 3-5. Transfer of identification number. The purchaser of a watercraft shall, within 15 days after acquiring same, make application to the Department for transfer to him of the certificate of number issued to the watercraft giving his name, address and the number of the boat. The purchaser shall apply for a transfer-renewal for a fee as prescribed under Section 3-2 of this Act for approximately 3 years. All transfers will bear September 30 expiration dates in the calendar year of expiration. Upon receipt of the application and fee, together with proof that any tax imposed under the Municipal Use Tax Act or County Use Tax Act has been paid or that no such tax is owed, the Department shall transfer the certificate of number issued to the watercraft to the new owner.

Unless the application is made and fee paid, and proof of payment of municipal use tax or county use tax or nonliability therefor is made, within 30 days, the watercraft shall be deemed to be without certificate of number and it shall be unlawful for any person to operate the watercraft until the certificate is issued.

Non-powered watercraft are exempt from this Section.

(Source: P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18.)

(625 ILCS 45/3-6) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-6)

Sec. 3-6. Conformity with United States Government. In the event that an agency of the United States Government has in force an over-all system of identification numbering for watercraft within the United States, the numbering system employed pursuant to this Act by the Department shall be in conformity therewith.

(Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/3-7) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-7)

Sec. 3-7. Loss of certificate; certificate correction. Should a certificate of number or registration expiration decal become lost, destroyed, or mutilated beyond legibility, or if information required by the Department to be included on the certificate has changed, the owner of the watercraft shall make application to the Department for the replacement of the certificate or decal or for a corrected certificate or decal, giving his name, address, and the number of his boat and shall at the time of application pay to the Department a fee of $5.

(Source: P.A. 102-595, eff. 6-1-22.)

(625 ILCS 45/3-7.5)

Sec. 3-7.5. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 97-1136, eff. 1-1-13. Repealed by P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18.)

(625 ILCS 45/3-8) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-8)

Sec. 3-8. Department records.) All records of the Department made or kept pursuant to this Article shall be public records.

(Source: P.A. 86-1088.)

(625 ILCS 45/3-9) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-9)

Sec. 3-9. Certificate of number. Every certificate of number awarded pursuant to this Act shall continue in full force and effect for approximately 3 years unless sooner terminated or discontinued in accordance with this Act. All new certificates issued will bear September 30 expiration dates in the calendar year 3 years after the issuing date. Provided however, that the Department may, for purposes of implementing this Section, adopt rules for phasing in the issuance of new certificates and provide for 1, 2 or 3 year expiration dates and pro-rated payments or charges for each registration.

All certificates shall be renewed for 3 years from the nearest September 30 for a fee as prescribed in Section 3-2 of this Act. All certificates will be invalid after October 15 of the year of expiration. All certificates expiring in a given year shall be renewed between January 1 and September 30 of that year, in order to allow sufficient time for processing.

The Department shall issue "registration expiration decals" with all new certificates of number, all certificates of number transferred and renewed and all certificates of number renewed. The decals issued for each year shall be of a different and distinct color from the decals of each other year currently displayed. The decals shall be affixed to each side of the bow of the watercraft, except for federally documented vessels, in the manner prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Department. Federally documented vessels shall have decals affixed to the watercraft on each side of the federally documented name of the vessel in the manner prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Department.

The Department shall fix a day and month of the year on which certificates of number due to expire shall lapse and no longer be of any force and effect unless renewed pursuant to this Act.

No number or registration expiration decal other than the number awarded or the registration expiration decal issued to a watercraft or granted reciprocity pursuant to this Act shall be painted, attached, or otherwise displayed on either side of the bow of such watercraft. A person engaged in the operation of a licensed boat livery shall pay a fee as prescribed under Section 3-2 of this Act for each watercraft used in the livery operation.

A person engaged in the manufacture or sale of watercraft of a type otherwise required to be numbered hereunder, upon application to the Department upon forms prescribed by it, may obtain certificates of number for use in the testing or demonstrating of such watercraft upon payment of $10 for each registration. Certificates of number so issued may be used by the applicant in the testing or demonstrating of watercraft by temporary placement of the numbers assigned by such certificates on the watercraft so tested or demonstrated.

Non-powered watercraft are exempt from this Section.

(Source: P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18.)

(625 ILCS 45/3-10) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-10)

Sec. 3-10. Registration list. A boat registration list may be furnished for official use at no charge only to such federal, state, county and municipal enforcement agencies as may require such data.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/3-11) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-11)

Sec. 3-11. Penalty. No person shall at any time falsely alter or change in any manner a certificate of number issued under the provisions hereof, or falsify any record required by this Act, or counterfeit any form of license provided for by this Act.

(Source: P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18.)

(625 ILCS 45/3-12) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-12)

Sec. 3-12. Exemption from numbering provisions of this Act. A watercraft shall not be required to be numbered under this Act if it is:

A. A watercraft which has a valid marine document issued by the United States Coast Guard, provided the owner of any such vessel used upon the waters of this State for more than 60 days in any calendar year shall be required to comply with the registration requirements of Section 3-9 of this Act.

B. Already covered by a number in full force and effect which has been awarded to it pursuant to Federal law or a Federally-approved numbering system of another State, if such boat will not be within this State for a period in excess of 60 consecutive days.

C. A watercraft from a country other than the United States temporarily using the waters of this State.

D. A watercraft whose owner is the United States, a State or a subdivision thereof, and used solely for official purposes and clearly identifiable.

E. A vessel used exclusively as a ship's lifeboat.

F. A watercraft belonging to a class of boats which has been exempted from numbering by the Department after such agency has found that an agency of the Federal Government has a numbering system applicable to the class of watercraft to which the watercraft in question belongs and would be exempt from numbering if it were subject to the Federal law.

G. Watercraft while competing in any race approved by the Department under the provisions of Section 5-15 of this Act or if the watercraft is designed and intended solely for racing while engaged in navigation that is incidental to preparation of the watercraft for the race. Preparation of the watercraft for the race may be accomplished only after obtaining the written authorization of the Department.

H. Non-powered, owned and operated on water completely impounded on land belonging to the owner of the watercraft. This Section does not apply to water controlled by a club or association.

I. A non-powered watercraft.

(Source: P.A. 97-1136, eff. 1-1-13.)

(625 ILCS 45/3-13) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-13)

Sec. 3-13. Hull identification numbers. Any watercraft manufactured after the effective date of this amendatory Act shall have a hull identification number carved, burned, stamped, embossed, or otherwise permanently affixed to the outboard side of the transom or, if there is no transom, to the outermost starboard side at the end of the hull that bears the rudder or other steering mechanism, above the water line in such a way that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious and evident. Any individual who manufactures any watercraft, either for private or public use, shall apply to the Department of Natural Resources for issuance of a Hull Identification Number and shall affix such number to watercraft as required by the rules and regulations of the Department.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3-14) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313-14)

Sec. 3-14. A. The Department may issue a historical watercraft identification plaque for a boat that is (1) at least 25 years of age and (2) powered by the boat's original type of power plant. Such a boat shall be known as a "heritage watercraft".

B. An application for such a plaque shall be on a form prescribed by the Department and shall be accompanied by a $25.00 fee. The heritage watercraft identification plaque shall be designed by the Department and shall be non-expiring.

C. When prominently displayed on the boat, a heritage watercraft identification plaque shall entitle the boat owner to apply to participate in parades, shows, and special events. The heritage watercraft plaque does not in itself qualify a boat for recreational use.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/Art. IIIA heading) ARTICLE IIIA. CERTIFICATE OF TITLE, MOTORBOATS AND SAILBOATS OVER 12 FEET IN LENGTH

(625 ILCS 45/3A-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-1)

Sec. 3A-1. Certificate of title required.

(a) Every owner of a watercraft over 21 feet in length required to be numbered by this State and for which no certificate of title has been issued by the Department of Natural Resources shall make application to the Department of Natural Resources for a certificate of title either before or at the same time he next applies for issuance, transfer or renewal of a certificate of number. All watercraft already covered by a number in full force and effect which has been awarded to it pursuant to Federal law is exempt from titling requirements in this Act.

(b) The Department shall not issue, transfer or renew a certificate of number unless a certificate of title has been issued by the Department of Natural Resources or an application for a certificate of title has been delivered to the Department.

(Source: P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-2)

Sec. 3A-2. Voluntary titling. The owner of any watercraft exempt from Section 3A-1(a) of this Act may apply to the Department of Natural Resources for a certificate of title by filing an application accompanied by the prescribed fee. Any owner exempt from this Act who obtains a certificate of title must also obtain a certificate of number as prescribed in Section 3-9 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-3)

Sec. 3A-3. Application for first certificate of title.

(a) The application for the first certificate of title in this State must be made by the owner to the Department of Natural Resources on the form prescribed and must contain:

1. The name, residence and mail address of the owner;

2. A description of the watercraft so far as the following data exists: Its make, model, year of manufacture, manufacturer's serial number or builder's hull number, length and principal material used in construction;

3. The date of purchase by applicant, the name and address of the person from whom the watercraft was acquired and the names and addresses of any lienholders in the order of their priority and the dates of their security agreements; and

4. Any further information the Department of Natural Resources reasonably requires to identify the watercraft and to enable the Department to determine whether the owner is entitled to a certificate of title and the existence or nonexistence of security interests in the watercraft.

(b) If the application refers to a watercraft purchased from a dealer, it must contain the name and address of any lienholder holding a security interest created or reserved at the time of the sale and the date of his security agreement and be signed by the dealer as well as the owner, and the dealer must within 15 days mail or deliver the application to the Department of Natural Resources.

(c) If the application refers to a watercraft last previously registered in another State or country, the application must contain or be accompanied by:

1. Any certificate of title issued by the other State or country; and

2. Any other information and documents the Department of Natural Resources reasonably requires to establish ownership and the existence or nonexistence of security interests.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-4) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-4)

Sec. 3A-4. Examination of records. The Department of Natural Resources, upon receiving application for a first certificate of title, shall check the identifying description of the watercraft shown in the application against the records required to be maintained by Section 3A-5 of this Article and against the record of stolen and converted watercraft required to be maintained by Section 3A-6 of this Article.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-5) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-5)

Sec. 3A-5. Certificate of title - Issuance - Records.

(a) The Department of Natural Resources shall file each application received and, when satisfied as to its genuineness and regularity, and that no tax imposed by the Use Tax Act or the Watercraft Use Tax Law is owed as evidenced by the receipt for payment or determination of exemption from the Department of Revenue provided for in Section 3A-3 of this Article, and that the applicant is entitled to the issuance of a certificate of title, shall issue a certificate of title.

(b) The Department of Natural Resources shall maintain a record of all certificates of title issued under a distinctive title number assigned to the watercraft and, in the discretion of the Department, in any other method determined.

(Source: P.A. 93-840, eff. 7-30-04.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-6) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-6)

Sec. 3A-6. Stolen and recovered watercraft.

(a) Every sheriff, superintendent of police, chief of police or other police officer in command of any police department in any city, village or town of the State shall, by the fastest means of communications available to his or her law enforcement agency, immediately report to the Illinois State Police the theft or recovery of any stolen or converted watercraft within his or her district or jurisdiction. The report shall give the date of theft, description of the watercraft including color, manufacturer's trade name, manufacturer's series name, identification number and registration number, including the state in which the registration number was issued, together with the name, residence address, business address, and telephone number of the owner. The report shall be routed by the originating law enforcement agency through the Illinois State Police in a form and manner prescribed by the Illinois State Police.

(b) A registered owner or a lienholder may report the theft by conversion of a watercraft to the Illinois State Police or any other police department or sheriff's office. The report will be accepted as a report of theft and processed only if a formal complaint is on file and a warrant issued.

(c) The Illinois State Police shall keep a complete record of all reports filed under this Section. Upon receipt of the report, a careful search shall be made of the records of the Illinois State Police, and where it is found that a watercraft reported recovered was stolen in a county, city, village or town other than the county, city, village or town in which it is recovered, the recovering agency shall notify the reporting agency of the recovery in a form and manner prescribed by the Illinois State Police.

(d) Notification of the theft of a watercraft will be furnished to the Department of Natural Resources by the Illinois State Police. The Department of Natural Resources shall place the proper information in the title registration files and in the certificate of number files to indicate the theft of a watercraft. Notification of the recovery of a watercraft previously reported as a theft or a conversion will be furnished to the Department of Natural Resources by the Illinois State Police. The Department of Natural Resources shall remove the proper information from the certificate of number and title registration files that has previously indicated the theft of a watercraft. The Department of Natural Resources shall suspend the certificate of number of a watercraft upon receipt of a report that the watercraft was stolen.

(e) When the Department of Natural Resources receives an application for a certificate of title or an application for a certificate of number of a watercraft and it is determined from the records that the watercraft has been reported stolen, the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Law Enforcement, shall immediately notify the Illinois State Police and shall give the Illinois State Police the name and address of the person or firm titling or registering the watercraft, together with all other information contained in the application submitted by the person or firm.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-7) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-7)

Sec. 3A-7. Contents and effect.

(a) Each certificate of title issued by the Department of Natural Resources shall contain:

1. The date issued;

2. The name and address of the owner;

3. The names and addresses of any lienholders, in the order of priority as shown on the application or, if the application is based on a certificate of title, as shown on the certificate;

4. The title number assigned to the watercraft;

5. A description of the watercraft including, so far as the following data exists: its make, model, year of manufacture, registration number, and manufacturer's serial number or, if none, the builder's hull number, length, purchase date, and the principal material used in construction;

6. Any other data the Department of Natural Resources prescribes.

(b) The certificate of title shall contain forms for assignment and warranty of title by the owner, and for assignment and warranty of title by a dealer, and may contain forms for applications for a certificate of title by a transferee, the naming of a lienholder and the assignment or release of the security interest of a lienholder.

(c) A certificate of title issued by the Department of Natural Resources is prima facie evidence of the facts appearing on it.

(d) A certificate of title is not subject to garnishment, attachment, execution or other judicial process, but this subsection does not prevent a lawful levy upon the watercraft.

(e) Any certificate of title issued by the Department of Natural Resources is subject to a lien in favor of the State of Illinois for any fees or taxes required to be paid under this Act and as have not been paid, as provided for in this Act.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-8) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-8)

Sec. 3A-8. Presumption of tenancy. When a certificate of title is made out to a husband and wife with the marital relationship shown on the certificate, it shall be presumed that the title is held as joint tenants with right of survivorship.

(Source: P.A. 81-1199.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-9) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-9)

Sec. 3A-9. Delivery. The certificate of title shall be mailed to the first lienholder named in it or, if none, to the owner.

(Source: P.A. 81-1199.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-10) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-10)

Sec. 3A-10. Refusing certificate of title. The Department of Natural Resources shall refuse issuance of a certificate of title if any required fee is not paid or if he has reasonable grounds to believe that:

(a) The applicant is not the owner of the watercraft;

(b) The application contains a false or fraudulent statement; or

(c) The applicant fails to furnish required information or documents or any additional information the Department of Natural Resources reasonably requires;

(d) The applicant has not paid any fees or taxes due under this Act and have not been paid upon reasonable notice and demand.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-11) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-11)

Sec. 3A-11. Lost, stolen or mutilated certificates.

(a) If a certificate of title is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed or becomes illegible, the first lienholder or, if none, the owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate, as shown by the records of the Department of Natural Resources, shall promptly make application for and may obtain a duplicate upon furnishing information satisfactory to the Department of Natural Resources. The duplicate certificate of title shall contain the legend "This is a duplicate certificate and may be subject to the rights of a person under the original certificate." It shall be mailed to the first lienholder named in it or, if none, to the owner.

(b) The Department of Natural Resources shall not issue a duplicate certificate of title to any person within 15 days after the issuance of an original certificate of title to such person.

(c) A person recovering an original certificate of title for which a duplicate has been issued shall promptly surrender the original certificate to the Department of Natural Resources.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-12) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-12)

Sec. 3A-12. Transfer.

(a) If an owner transfers his interest in a watercraft other than by the creation of a security interest, he shall, at the time of the delivery, execute an assignment and warranty of title to the transferee in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as the Department of Natural Resources prescribes and cause the certificate and assignment to be mailed or delivered to the transferee or to the Department of Natural Resources.

(b) Except as provided in Section 3A-14 of this Article, the transferee shall, promptly and within 15 days after delivery to him of the watercraft and the assigned title, execute the application for a new certificate of title in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as the Department of Natural Resources prescribes, and cause the certificate and application to be mailed or delivered to the Department of Natural Resources.

(c) Upon request of the owner or transferee, a lienholder in possession of the certificate of title shall, unless the transfer was a breach of his security agreement, either deliver the certificate to the transferee for delivery to the Department of Natural Resources or, upon receipt from the transferee of the owner's assignment, the transferee's application for a new certificate and the required fee, mail or deliver them to the Department of Natural Resources. The delivery of the certificate does not affect the rights of the lienholder under his security agreement.

(d) If a security interest is reserved or created at the time of the transfer, the certificate of title shall be retained by or delivered to the person who becomes the lienholder, and the parties shall comply with the provisions of Section 3B-3 of Article IIIB.

(e) Except as provided in Section 3A-14 of this Article and as between the parties, a transfer by an owner is not effective until the provisions of this Section and Section 3A-16 of this Article have been complied with; however, an owner who has delivered possession of the watercraft to the transferee and has complied with the provisions of this Section and Section 3A-16 of this Article requiring action by him as not liable as owner for any damages thereafter resulting from operation of the watercraft.

(f) The Department of Natural Resources may decline to process any application for a transfer of an interest in a watercraft if any fees or taxes due under this Act from the transferor or the transferee have not been paid upon reasonable notice and demand.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-13) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-13)

Sec. 3A-13. Transfer to or from dealer - Manufacturer's or Importer's Certificate. (a) No dealer shall purchase or acquire a new watercraft without obtaining from the seller thereof a manufacturer's or importer's certificate.

(b) No manufacturer, importer, dealer or other person shall sell or otherwise dispose of a new watercraft to a dealer for purposes of display and resale, without delivering to such dealer a manufacturer's or importer's certificate.

(Source: P.A. 81-1199.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-14) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-14)

Sec. 3A-14. Transfer to or from dealer - Records.

(a) If a dealer buys a watercraft and holds it for resale and procures the certificate of title from the owner or the lienholder within 10 days after delivery to him of the watercraft he need not send the certificate to the Department of Natural Resources but, upon transferring the watercraft to another person other than by the creation of a security interest, shall promptly and within 15 days execute the assignment and warranty of title by a dealer, showing the names and addresses of the transferee and of any lienholder holding a security interest created or reserved at the time of the resale and the date of his security agreement, in the spaces provided therefor on the certificate or as the Department of Natural Resources prescribes, and mail or deliver the certificate to the Department with the transferee's application for a new certificate.

(b) Every dealer shall maintain for 3 years a record in the form the Department of Natural Resources prescribes of every watercraft bought, sold or exchanged by him, or received by him for sale or exchange, which shall be open to inspection by a representative of the Department of Natural Resources or peace officer during reasonable business hours.

(c) The Department of Natural Resources may decline to process any application for a transfer of an interest in a watercraft if any fees or taxes due under this Act from the transferor or the transferee have not been paid upon reasonable notice and demand.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-15) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-15)

Sec. 3A-15. Transfer by operation of law.

(a) If the interest of an owner in a watercraft passes to another other than by voluntary transfer, the transferee shall, except as provided in subsection (b), promptly mail or deliver within 15 days to the Department of Natural Resources the last certificate of title, if available, proof of the transfer, and his or her application for a new certificate in the form the Department prescribes. It shall be unlawful for any person having possession of a certificate of title for a watercraft by reason of his or her having a lien or encumbrance on such watercraft, to fail or refuse to deliver such certificate to the owner, upon the satisfaction or discharge of the lien or encumbrance, indicated upon such certificate of title.

(b) If the interest of an owner in a watercraft passes to another under the provisions of the Small Estates provisions of the Probate Act of 1975, as amended, the transferee shall promptly mail or deliver to the Department of Natural Resources, within 120 days, the last certificate of title, if available, the documentation required under the provisions of the Probate Act of 1975, as amended, and an application for certificate of title. The transfer may be to the transferee or to the nominee of the transferee.

(c) If the interest of an owner in a watercraft passes to another under other provisions of the Probate Act of 1975, as amended, and the transfer is made by an executor, administrator, or guardian for a person with a disability, such transferee shall promptly mail or deliver to the Department of Natural Resources, the last certificate of title, if available, and a certified copy of the letters testamentary, letters of administration or letters of guardianship, as the case may be, and an application for certificate of title. Such application shall be made before the estate is closed. The transfer may be to the transferee or to the nominee of the transferee.

(d) If the interest of an owner in joint tenancy passes to the other joint tenant with survivorship rights as provided by law, the transferee shall promptly mail or deliver to the Department of Natural Resources, the last certificate of title, if available, proof of death of the one joint tenant and survivorship of the surviving joint tenant, and an application for certificate of title. Such application shall be made within 120 days after the death of the joint tenant. The transfer may be to the transferee or to the nominee of the transferee.

(e) If the interest of the owner is terminated or the watercraft is sold under a security agreement by a lienholder named in the certificate of title, the transferee shall promptly mail or deliver within 15 days to the Department of Natural Resources the last certificate of title, his or her application for a new certificate in the form the Department prescribes, and an affidavit made by or on behalf of the lienholder that the watercraft was repossessed and that the interest of the owner was lawfully terminated or sold pursuant to the terms of the security agreement. In all cases wherein a lienholder has found it necessary to repossess a watercraft and desires to obtain certificate of title for such watercraft in the name of such lienholder, the Department of Natural Resources shall not issue a certificate of title to such lienholder unless the person from whom such watercraft has been repossessed, is shown to be the last registered owner of such watercraft and such lienholder establishes to the satisfaction of the Department that he or she is entitled to such certificate of title.

(f) A person holding a certificate of title whose interest in the watercraft has been extinguished or transferred other than by voluntary transfer shall mail or deliver the certificate within 15 days upon request of the Department of Natural Resources. The delivery of the certificate pursuant to the request of the Department of Natural Resources does not affect the rights of the person surrendering the certificate, and the action of the Department in issuing a new certificate of title as provided herein is not conclusive upon the rights of an owner or lienholder named in the old certificate.

(g) The Department of Natural Resources may decline to process any application for a transfer of an interest hereunder if any fees or taxes due under this Act from the transferor or the transferee have not been paid upon reasonable notice and demand.

(h) The Department of Natural Resources shall not be held civilly or criminally liable to any person because any purported transferor may not have had the power or authority to make a transfer of any interest in any watercraft.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-16) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-16)

Sec. 3A-16. Fees. Fees shall be paid according to the following schedule:

(Source: P.A. 97-1136, eff. 1-1-13.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-17) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-17)

Sec. 3A-17. Transfer of watercraft. A transferor of a watercraft other than a dealer transferring a new watercraft, shall deliver to the transferee at the time of delivery of possession of the watercraft the properly assigned certificate of title.

(Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-18) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-18)

Sec. 3A-18. Transfer or surrender of certificate of title.

(a) The Department of Natural Resources, upon receipt of a properly assigned certificate of title, with an application for a new certificate of title, the required fee and any other documents required by law, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner and mail it to the first lienholder named in it or, if none, to the owner.

(b) The Department of Natural Resources, upon receipt of an application for a new certificate of title by a transferee other than by voluntary transfer, with proof of the transfer, the required fee and any other documents required by law, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner. If the outstanding certificate of title is not delivered to him, the Department shall make demand therefor from the holder thereof.

(c) The Department of Natural Resources shall file and retain for 4 years every surrendered Illinois certificate of title, the file to be maintained so as to permit the tracing of title of the watercraft designated therein.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-19) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-19)

Sec. 3A-19. Scrapping, junking or destroying a watercraft. An owner who scraps, junks or destroys a watercraft, or a person who purchases a watercraft as scrap or as a watercraft to be junked or destroyed shall immediately cause the certificate of title to be mailed or delivered to the Department of Natural Resources, and a certificate of title shall not again be issued for such watercraft. Upon receipt of the certificate of title, the Department shall cancel the certificate.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-20) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-20)

Sec. 3A-20. Offenses relating to titling; misdemeanors. Violation of any of the following provisions shall constitute a Class A misdemeanor:

(a) No person shall operate in this State a watercraft for which a certificate of title is required without having such certificate of title.

(b) No person shall sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of a watercraft without delivering to the purchaser or transferee a certificate of title, or a manufacturer's or importer's certificate, assigned to such purchaser or transferee as required by this Act.

(c) No person shall fail to surrender to the Department of Natural Resources any certificate of title upon cancellation of the same by the Department for any valid reason set forth in this Act or regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

(Source: P.A. 88-524; 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3A-21) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313A-21)

Sec. 3A-21. Offenses relating to titling; felonies. Violation of any of the following provisions shall constitute a Class 2 felony:

(a) No person shall alter, forge or counterfeit any certificate of title or a manufacturer's or importer's certificate to a watercraft.

(b) No person shall alter or falsify any assignment of a certificate of title, or an assignment or cancellation of a security interest on a certificate of title to a watercraft.

(c) No person shall hold or use a certificate of title to a watercraft nor hold or use any assignment or cancellation of a security interest on a certificate of title to a watercraft, knowing it to have been altered, forged, counterfeited or falsified.

(d) No person shall use a false or fictitious name or address, or make any material false statement, or conceal any material fact, in an application for a certificate of title, or in a bill of sale or sworn statement of ownership.

(e) No person shall procure or attempt to procure a certificate of title to a watercraft, or pass or attempt to pass a certificate of title or any assignment thereof to a watercraft, knowing or having reason to believe that such watercraft has been stolen.

(f) No person shall have possession of, buy, receive, sell or offer to sell, or otherwise dispose of a watercraft on which the manufacturer's or assigned serial number of the watercraft has been destroyed, removed, covered, altered, or defaced, knowing of such destruction, removal, covering, alteration or defacement of such manufacturer's or assigned serial number.

(g) No person shall destroy, remove, cover, alter or deface the manufacturer's or assigned serial number on any watercraft.

(h) No person shall possess, buy, sell, exchange or give away, or offer to buy, sell, exchange, or give away the certificate of title to any watercraft which is a junk or salvage.

(Source: P.A. 88-524.)

(625 ILCS 45/Art. IIIB heading) ARTICLE IIIB. SECURITY INTERESTS

(625 ILCS 45/3B-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313B-1)

Sec. 3B-1. Excepted liens and security interests. This Article does not apply to or affect:

(a) A lien given by statute or rule of law to a supplier of services or materials for the watercraft;

(b) A lien given by the statute to the United States, this State or any political subdivision of this State.

(c) A security interest in a watercraft created by a manufacturer or dealer who holds the watercraft for sale, but a buyer in the ordinary course of trade from the manufacturer or dealer takes free of the security interest.

(Source: P.A. 81-1199.)

(625 ILCS 45/3B-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313B-2)

Sec. 3B-2. Perfection of security interest.

(a) Unless excepted by Section 3B-1, a security interest in a watercraft of a type for which a certificate of title is required is not valid against subsequent transferees or lienholders of the watercraft unless perfected as provided in this Act.

(b) A security interest is perfected by the delivery to the Department of Natural Resources of the existing certificate of title, if any, an application for a certificate of title containing the name and address of the lienholder and the date of his security agreement and the required fee. It is perfected as of the time of its creation if the delivery is completed within 21 days thereafter, otherwise as of the time of the delivery.

(c) If a watercraft is subject to a security interest when brought into this State, the validity of the security interest is determined by the law of the jurisdiction where the watercraft was when the security interest attached, subject to the following:

1. If the parties understood at the time the security interest attached that the watercraft would be kept in this State and it was brought into this State within 30 days thereafter for purposes other than transportation through this State, the validity of the security interest in this State is determined by the law of this State.

2. If the security interest was perfected under the law of the jurisdiction where the watercraft was when the security interest attached, the following rules apply:

(A) If the name of the lienholder is shown on an existing certificate of title issued by that jurisdiction, his security interest continues perfected in this State.

(B) If the name of the lienholder is not shown on an existing certificate of title issued by that jurisdiction, a security interest may be perfected by the lienholder delivering to the Department of Natural Resources the prescribed notice and by payment of the required fee. Such security interest is perfected as of the time of delivery of the prescribed notice and payment of the required fee.

3. If the security interest was not perfected under the law of the jurisdiction where the watercraft was when the security interest attached, it may be perfected in this State; in that case perfection dates from the time of perfection in this State.

4. A security interest may be perfected under paragraph 3 of this subsection either as provided in subsection (b) or by the lienholder delivering to the Department of Natural Resources a notice of security interest in the form the Department prescribes and the required fee.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3B-3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313B-3)

Sec. 3B-3. Security interest. If an owner creates a security interest in a watercraft:

(a) The owner shall immediately execute the application, in the space provided therefor on the certificate of title or on a separate form the Department of Natural Resources prescribes, to name the lienholder on the certificate, showing the name and address of the lienholder and the date of his security agreement, and cause the certificate, application and the required fee to be delivered to the lienholder.

(b) The lienholder shall immediately cause the certificate, application and the required fee to be mailed or delivered to the Department of Natural Resources.

(c) Upon request of the owner or subordinate lienholder, a lienholder in possession of the certificate of title shall either mail or deliver the certificate to the subordinate lienholder for delivery to the Department of Natural Resources or, upon receipt from the subordinate lienholder of the owner's application and the required fee, mail or deliver them to the Department of Natural Resources with the certificate. The delivery of the certificate does not affect the rights of the first lienholder under his security agreement.

(d) Upon receipt of the certificate of title, application and the required fee, the Department of Natural Resources shall either endorse on the certificate or issue a new certificate containing the name and address of the new lienholder, and mail the certificate to the first lienholder named in it.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3B-4) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313B-4)

Sec. 3B-4. Assignment by lienholder.

(a) A lienholder may assign, absolutely or otherwise, his security interest in the watercraft to a person other than the owner without affecting the interest of the owner or the validity of the security interest, but any person without notice of the assignment is protected in dealing with the lienholder as the holder of the security interest and the lienholder remains liable for any obligations as lienholder until the assignee is named as lienholder on the certificate.

(b) The assignee may, but need not to perfect the assignment, have the certificate of title endorsed or issued with the assignee named as lienholder, upon delivering to the Department of Natural Resources the certificate and an assignment by the lienholder named in the certificate in the form the Department prescribes.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3B-5) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313B-5)

Sec. 3B-5. Release of security interest.

(a) Upon the satisfaction of a security interest in a watercraft for which the certificate of title is in the possession of the lienholder, he shall, within 10 days after demand and, in any event, within 30 days, execute a release of his security interest, and mail or deliver the certificate and release to the next lienholder named therein, or, if none, to the owner or any person who delivers to the lienholder an authorization from the owner to receive the certificate. The owner, other than a dealer holding the watercraft for resale, shall promptly cause the certificate and release to be mailed or delivered to the Department of Natural Resources, which shall release the lienholder's rights on the certificate or issue a new certificate.

(b) Upon the satisfaction of a security interest in a watercraft for which the certificate of title is in the possession of a prior lienholder, the lienholder whose security interest is satisfied shall within 10 days after demand and, in any event, within 30 days execute a release and deliver the release to the owner or any person who delivers to the lienholder an authorization from the owner to receive it. The lienholder in possession of the certificate of title shall either deliver the certificate to the owner, or the person authorized by him, for delivery to the Department of Natural Resources, or, upon receipt of the release, mail or deliver the certificate and release to the Department, which shall release the subordinate lienholder's rights on the certificate or issue a new certificate.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3B-6) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313B-6)

Sec. 3B-6. Duty of lienholder. A lienholder named in a certificate of title shall, upon written request of the owner or of another lienholder named on the certificate, disclose any pertinent information as to his security agreement and the indebtedness secured by it.

(Source: P.A. 81-1199.)

(625 ILCS 45/3B-7) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313B-7)

Sec. 3B-7. Exclusiveness of procedure. The method provided in this Act of perfecting and giving notice of security interests subject to this Act is exclusive. Security interests subject to this Act are hereby exempted from the provisions of law which otherwise require or relate to the recording or filing of instruments creating or evidencing security interests in watercraft including chattel mortgages and conditional sale agreements.

(Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/3B-8) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 323B-8)

Sec. 3B-8. Suspension or revocation of certificates.

(a) The Department of Natural Resources may suspend or revoke a certificate of title, upon notice and reasonable opportunity to be heard, when authorized by any other provision of law or if he finds:

1. The certificate of title was fraudulently procured or erroneously issued, or

2. The watercraft has been scrapped, dismantled or destroyed.

(b) Suspension or revocation of a certificate of title does not, in itself, affect the validity of a security interest noted on it.

(c) When the Department of Natural Resources suspends or revokes a certificate of title, the owner or person in possession of it shall, immediately upon receiving notice of the suspension or revocation, mail or deliver the certificate to the Department.

(d) The Department of Natural Resources may seize and impound any certificate of title which has been suspended or revoked.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3B-9) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313B-9)

Sec. 3B-9. Powers of Department of Natural Resources.

(a) The Department of Natural Resources shall prescribe and provide suitable forms of applications, certificates of title, notices of security interests, and all other notices and forms necessary to carry out the provisions of this Article and Article IIIA.

(b) The Department of Natural Resources may:

1. Make necessary investigations to procure information required to carry out the provisions of this Article and Article IIIA;

2. Assign a new identifying number to a watercraft if it has none, or its identifying number is destroyed or obliterated, and shall either issue a new certificate of title showing the new identifying number or make an appropriate endorsement on the original certificate.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3B-10) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313B-10)

Sec. 3B-10. Court review. A person aggrieved by an act or omission to act of the Department of Natural Resources under this Article or Article IIIA is also entitled to a review thereof by the Circuit Court of Sangamon County in accordance with the Administrative Review Law, as amended.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/Art. IIIC heading) ARTICLE IIIC. LOST AND ABANDONED WATERCRAFT

(625 ILCS 45/3C-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313C-1)

Sec. 3C-1. Abandonment of watercraft prohibited. (a) The abandonment of a watercraft or any part thereof on any waters in this State is unlawful and subject to penalties as set forth under Section 3C-14.

(b) The abandonment of a watercraft or any part thereof on private or public property, other than a waterway, in view of the general public, anywhere in this State is unlawful except on property of the owner or bailee of such abandoned watercraft.

(Source: P.A. 84-646.)

(625 ILCS 45/3C-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313C-2)

Sec. 3C-2. Notification to law enforcement agencies. When an abandoned, lost, stolen or unclaimed watercraft comes into the temporary possession or custody of a person in this State, not the owner of the watercraft, such person shall immediately notify the municipal police when the watercraft is within the corporate limits of any city, village or town having a duly authorized police department, or the Illinois State Police, Conservation Police or the county sheriff when the watercraft is outside the corporate limits of a city, village or town. Upon receipt of such notification, the municipal police, State Police, Conservation Police, or county sheriff will authorize a towing service to remove and take possession of the abandoned, lost, stolen or unclaimed watercraft. The towing service will safely keep the towed watercraft and its contents, and maintain a record of the tow as set forth in Section 3C-4 for law enforcement agencies, until the watercraft is claimed by the owner or any other person legally entitled to possession thereof or until it is disposed of as provided in this Article.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(625 ILCS 45/3C-3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313C-3)

Sec. 3C-3. Removal of watercraft. (a) When a watercraft is abandoned on any waters of this State for 24 hours or more, its removal by a towing service may be authorized by a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction.

(b) When an abandoned, unattended, wrecked, burned or partially dismantled watercraft is creating a traffic or navigational hazard because of its position in relation to the waterway or because its physical appearance is impeding traffic or navigation, its immediate removal from the waterway by a towing service may be authorized by a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction.

(c) When a watercraft removal from either public or private property is authorized by a law enforcement agency, the owner of the watercraft will be responsible for all towing costs. Watercraft removed from public or private property and stored by a commercial relocator or any other towing service shall be subject to a possessory lien for services pursuant to "An Act concerning liens for labor, services, skills or materials furnished upon or storage furnished for chattels", filed July 24, 1941, as amended, and the provisions of Section 1 of that Act relating to notice and implied consent shall be deemed satisfied. In no event shall such lien be greater than the rates established by that Act. In no event shall such lien be increased or altered to reflect any charge for services or materials rendered in addition to those authorized by this Article. Every such lien shall be payable in cash.

(Source: P.A. 84-646.)

(625 ILCS 45/3C-4) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313C-4)

Sec. 3C-4. Police tows; reports; release of watercraft; payment.

(a) When a watercraft is authorized to be towed away as provided in Section 3C-2 or 3C-3, the authorization, any hold order, and any release shall be in writing, or confirmed in writing, with a copy given to the towing service.

(b) When a watercraft is authorized to be towed away as provided in Section 3C-2, the police headquarters or office of the law enforcement officer authorizing the towing shall keep and maintain a record of the watercraft towed, listing the color, manufacturer's trade name, manufacturer's series name, hull type, hull material, hull identification number, and registration number displayed on the watercraft. The record shall also include the date and hour of tow, location towed from, location towed to, and reason for towing and the name of the officer authorizing the tow.

(c) The owner, operator, or other legally entitled person shall be responsible to the towing service for the payment of applicable removal, towing, storage, and processing charges and collection costs associated with a watercraft towed or held under order or authorization of a law enforcement agency. If a watercraft towed or held under order or authorization of a law enforcement agency is seized by the ordering or authorizing agency or any other law enforcement or governmental agency and sold, any unpaid removal, towing, storage, and processing charges and collection costs shall be paid to the towing service from the proceeds of the sale. If the applicable law provides that the proceeds are to be paid into the treasury of the appropriate civil jurisdiction, then any unpaid removal, towing, storage, and processing charges and collection costs shall be paid to the towing service from the treasury of the civil jurisdiction. Such payment shall not exceed the amount of proceeds from the sale, with the balance to be paid by the owner, operator, or other legally entitled person.

(d) Upon the delivery of a written release order to the towing service, a watercraft subject to a hold order shall be released to the owner, operator, or other legally entitled person upon proof of ownership or other entitlement and upon payment of applicable removal, towing, storage, and processing charges and collection costs.

(Source: P.A. 102-595, eff. 6-1-22.)

(625 ILCS 45/3C-5) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313C-5)

Sec. 3C-5. Record searches. When a law enforcement agency authorizing the impounding of a watercraft does not know the identity of the registered owner, lienholder or other legally entitled person, that law enforcement agency will cause the watercraft registration records of the State of Illinois to be searched by the Department of Natural Resources for the purpose of obtaining the required ownership information. The law enforcement agency authorizing the impounding of a watercraft will cause the stolen watercraft files of the Illinois State Police to be searched by a directed communication to the Illinois State Police for stolen or wanted information on the watercraft. When the Illinois State Police files are searched with negative results, the information contained in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) files will be searched by the Illinois State Police. The information determined from these record searches will be returned to the requesting law enforcement agency for that agency's use in sending a notification by certified mail to the registered owner, lienholder and other legally entitled persons advising where the watercraft is held, requesting that a disposition be made and setting forth public sale information. Notification shall be sent no later than 10 days after the date the law enforcement agency impounds or authorizes the impounding of a watercraft, provided that if the law enforcement agency is unable to determine the identity of the registered owner, lienholder or other person legally entitled to ownership of the impounded watercraft within a 10 day period after impoundment, then notification shall be sent no later than 2 days after the date the identity of the registered owner, lienholder or other person legally entitled to ownership of the impounded watercraft is determined. Exceptions to a notification by certified mail to the registered owner, lienholder and other legally entitled persons are set forth in Section 3C-9.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(625 ILCS 45/3C-6) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313C-6)

Sec. 3C-6. Identifying and tracing of watercraft ownership by the Department of Natural Resources. When the registered owner, lienholder or other person legally entitled to the possession of a watercraft cannot be identified from the registration files of this State or from the registration files of a foreign state, if applicable, the law enforcement agency having custody of the watercraft shall notify the Department of Natural Resources, for the purpose of identifying the watercraft owner or other person legally entitled to the possession of the watercraft. The information obtained by the Department of Natural Resources will be immediately forwarded to the law enforcement agency having custody of the watercraft for notification purposes as set forth in Section 3C-5.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3C-7) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313C-7)

Sec. 3C-7. Reclaimed watercraft. Any time before a watercraft is sold at public sale or disposed of as provided in Section 3C-8, the owner, lienholder or other person legally entitled to its possession may reclaim the watercraft by presenting to the law enforcement agency having custody of the watercraft proof of ownership or proof of the right to possession of the watercraft. No watercraft shall be released to the owner, lienholder or other person under this Section until all towing and storage charges have been paid.

(Source: P.A. 84-646.)

(625 ILCS 45/3C-8) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313C-8)

Sec. 3C-8. Disposal of unclaimed watercraft. (a) In cities having a population of more than 500,000 inhabitants, whenever an abandoned, lost, stolen or unclaimed watercraft or other watercraft remains unclaimed by the registered owner, lienholder or other legally entitled person for a period of 15 days after notice has been given as provided in Sections 3C-5 and 3C-6, the watercraft may be disposed of as provided in the "Municipal purchasing act for cities of 500,000 or more population".

(b) Except as provided in subsection (a), when an abandoned, lost, stolen or unclaimed watercraft 7 years of age or newer remains unclaimed by the registered owner, lienholder or other person legally entitled to its possession for a period of 30 days after notice has been given as provided in Sections 3C-5 and 3C-6, the law enforcement agency or towing service having possession of the watercraft shall cause it to be sold at public sale to the highest bidder. Notice of the time and place of the sale shall be posted in a conspicuous place for at least 10 days prior to the sale, on the premises where the watercraft has been impounded. At least 10 days prior to the sale, the law enforcement agency where the watercraft is impounded, or the towing service where the watercraft is impounded, shall cause a notice of the time and place of the sale to be sent by certified mail to the registered owner, lienholder and other persons known by the law enforcement agency or towing service to be legally entitled to the possession of the watercraft. Such notice shall contain a complete description of the watercraft to be sold and what steps must be taken by any legally entitled person to reclaim the watercraft. In those instances where the certified notification specified in Sections 3C-5 and 3C-6 has been returned by the postal authorities to the law enforcement agency or towing service due to the addressee having moved, or being unknown at the address obtained from the registration records of this State, the sending of a second certified notice will not be required.

(Source: P.A. 84-646.)

(625 ILCS 45/3C-9) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313C-9)

Sec. 3C-9. Disposal of unclaimed watercraft without notice.

(a) When the identity of the registered owner, lienholder and other person legally entitled to the possession of an abandoned, lost or unclaimed watercraft of 7 years of age or newer cannot be determined by any means provided for in this Article, the watercraft may be sold as provided in Section 3C-8 without notice to any person whose identity cannot be determined.

(b) When an abandoned watercraft of more than 7 years of age is impounded as specified by this Article, it will be kept in custody for a minimum of 10 days for the purpose of determining the identity of the registered owner and lienholder, contacting the registered owner and lienholder for a determination of disposition, and an examination of the Illinois State Police stolen watercraft files for the theft and wanted information. At the expiration of the 10 day period, if disposition information has not been received from the registered owner or the lienholder, the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction will authorize the disposal of the watercraft as junk.

However, if, in the opinion of the police officer processing the watercraft, it has a value of $200 or more and can be restored to safe operating condition, the law enforcement agency may authorize its purchase for salvage and the Department of Natural Resources may issue a certificate of title. A watercraft classified as a historical watercraft may be sold to a person desiring to restore it.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(625 ILCS 45/3C-10) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313C-10)

Sec. 3C-10. Police reports. When a watercraft in the custody of a law enforcement agency is reclaimed by the registered owner, lienholder or other legally entitled person, or when the watercraft is sold at public sale or otherwise disposed of as provided in this Article, a report of the transaction will be maintained by the law enforcement agency for a period of one year from the date of the sale or disposal.

(Source: P.A. 84-646.)

(625 ILCS 45/3C-11) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313C-11)

Sec. 3C-11. Disposition of proceeds. (a) When a watercraft located within the corporate limits of a city, village or town is towed away by a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction and disposed of as set forth in this Article, the proceeds of the public sale or disposition, after the deduction of towing, storage and processing charges, shall be deposited in the treasury of such city, village or town.

(b) When a watercraft located outside the corporate limits of any city, village or town is towed away by a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction and disposed of as set forth in this Article, the proceeds of the public sale or disposition, after deducting towing, storage and processing costs, shall be deposited in the county treasury of the county where the watercraft was located at the time of the tow.

(Source: P.A. 84-646.)

(625 ILCS 45/3C-12) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313C-12)

Sec. 3C-12. Titling watercraft. When an applicant for a certificate of title presents to the Department of Natural Resources proof that he has purchased or acquired a watercraft at a public sale as authorized by this Article and such fact is certified by the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the public sale of the watercraft, the Department shall issue a certificate of title for the watercraft upon receipt of the statutory fee and a properly executed application for a certificate of title. The title issued by the Department under this Section shall be free of any lien that existed against the watercraft prior to the time the watercraft was acquired by the applicant under this Article.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/3C-13) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313C-13)

Sec. 3C-13. Liability. A law enforcement officer or agency, towing service owner, operator or employee shall not be held liable for damages in any action brought by the registered owner, former registered owner or his legal representative, lienholder or any other person legally entitled to the possession of a watercraft when the watercraft was processed and sold or disposed of as provided by this Article.

(Source: P.A. 84-646.)

(625 ILCS 45/3C-14) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 313C-14)

Sec. 3C-14. Violations. Any person who violates or aids and abets in the violation of Section 3C-1 of this Act is guilty of a petty offense, and may be required by the court to make a disposition on the abandoned or unclaimed watercraft.

(Source: P.A. 84-646.)

(625 ILCS 45/Art. IV heading) ARTICLE IV. MOTORBOAT EQUIPMENT

(625 ILCS 45/4-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 314-1)

Sec. 4-1. Personal flotation devices.

A. No person may operate a watercraft unless at least one wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device for each person is on board, so placed as to be readily available for each person.

B. No person may operate a personal watercraft or specialty prop-craft unless each person aboard is wearing a wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device. No person on board a personal watercraft shall use an inflatable PFD in order to meet the PFD requirements of subsection A of this Section.

C. No person may operate a watercraft 16 feet or more in length, except a canoe or kayak, unless at least one readily accessible United States Coast Guard approved throwable PFD is on board.

D. (Blank).

E. When assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar device, there must be one wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD on board the watercraft for each person being assisted or towed or worn by the person being assisted or towed.

F. No person may operate a watercraft unless each device required by this Section is:

1. in serviceable condition;

2. identified by a label bearing a description and approval number demonstrating that the device has been approved by the United States Coast Guard;

3. of the appropriate size for the person for whom it is intended;

4. in the case of a wearable PFD, readily accessible aboard the watercraft;

5. in the case of a throwable PFD, immediately available for use;

6. out of its original packaging; and

7. not stowed under lock and key.

G. Approved personal flotation devices are defined as a device that is approved by the United States Coast Guard under Title 46 CFR Part 160.

H. (Blank).

H-5. An approved and appropriately sized wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device shall be worn by each person under the age of 13 while in tow.

I. No person may operate any watercraft unless an approved and appropriately sized wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device is being properly worn by each person under the age of 13 on the deck of a watercraft or in an open watercraft at all times in which the watercraft is underway; however, this requirement shall not apply to persons who are enclosed in a cabin or below the top deck on a watercraft, on an anchored watercraft that is a platform for swimming or diving, or aboard a charter "passenger for hire" watercraft with a licensed captain.

J. Racing shells, rowing sculls, racing canoes, and racing kayaks are exempt from the PFD, of any type, carriage requirements under this Section provided that the racing shell, racing scull, racing canoe, or racing kayak is participating in an event sanctioned by the Department as a PFD optional event. The Department may adopt rules to implement this subsection.

(Source: P.A. 102-595, eff. 6-1-22.)

(625 ILCS 45/4-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 314-2)

Sec. 4-2. Navigation lights.

A. Watercraft subject to this Section shall be divided into classes as follows:

1. Class 1: Less than 16 feet in length.

2. Class 2: 16 feet or over and less than 26 feet in length.

3. Class 3: 26 feet or over and less than 40 feet in length.

4. Class 4: 40 feet or over and less than 65 feet in length.

B. Every motorboat, underway from sunset to sunrise or underway in weather causing reduced visibility, shall carry and exhibit the following United States Coast Guard approved lights when underway and, during such time, shall not use any other lights that may be mistaken for or interfere with those prescribed as follows:

1. A Class 1 or Class 2 motorboat shall carry the following lights:

(a) A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon; and

(b) A combined light in the fore part of the watercraft and lower than the white light aft, showing green to starboard and red to port, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points (22.5 degrees) abaft the beam on their respective sides.

2. A Class 3 or Class 4 motorboat shall carry the following lights:

(a) A bright white light in the fore part of the watercraft as near the stern as practicable, so constructed as to show the unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 20 points (225 degrees) of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light 10 points (112.5 degrees) on each side of the watercraft, namely, from right ahead to 2 points (22.5 degrees) abaft the beam on either side;

(b) A bright white light aft, mounted higher than the white light forward, to show all around the horizon; and

(c) On the starboard side, a green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points (112.5 degrees) of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points (22.5 degrees) abaft the beam on the starboard side. On the port side, a red light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points (112.5 degrees) of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points (22.5 degrees) abaft the beam on the port side. The side lights shall be fitted with inboard screens so set as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow.

3. A Class 1 or Class 2 motorboat propelled by sail alone shall exhibit the combined light prescribed by paragraph (1) and a 12-point (135 degrees) white light aft. A Class 3 or Class 4 motorboat, when so propelled, shall exhibit the colored side lights, suitably screened as prescribed by paragraph (2) and a 12-point (135 degrees) white light aft.

4. Every white light prescribed by this Section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles. Every colored light prescribed by this Section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least one mile. As used in this subsection "visible", when applied to lights, means visible on a dark night with clear atmosphere.

5. If propelled by sail and machinery, a motorboat shall carry the lights required by this Section for a motorboat propelled by machinery only.

6. All other watercraft over 65 feet in length and those propelled solely by wind effect on the sail shall display lights prescribed by federal regulations.

C. Nonpowered watercraft shall carry, ready at hand, a lantern or flashlight showing a white light that shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avert collision. Manually propelled watercraft used on the waters of this State where power-driven vessels are prohibited are exempt from the provisions of this Section.

D. Any watercraft may carry and exhibit the lights required by the international regulations in lieu of the lights required by subsection B of this Section.

E. All watercraft, when anchored, other than in a special anchorage area as defined in 33 CFR 109.10, shall, from sunset to sunrise, carry and display a steady white light visible all around the horizon for a distance of no less than 2 miles.

F. (Blank).

G. (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 102-595, eff. 6-1-22.)

(625 ILCS 45/4-3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 314-3)

Sec. 4-3. Mufflers.

A. All motorboats shall be equipped and maintained with an effective muffler or underwater exhaust system. For the purpose of this Section, an effective muffler or underwater exhaust system is one that does not produce sound levels that create excessive or unusual noise, or sound levels that are in excess of 90 decibels when subjected to a stationary sound level test as prescribed by the Society of Automotive Engineers in its procedure J2005.

B. No person may operate a motorboat on the waters of this State in a manner to exceed a noise level of 75 decibels measured as specified in the Society of Automotive Engineers in its procedure J1970 from any point on the shoreline, or from any point on the water within 20 feet of the shoreline, of the body of water on which the motorboat is being operated.

C. No person may manufacture or offer for sale any motorboat for use on the waters of this State if that motorboat cannot be operated in compliance with the sound levels in subsections A and B above.

D. The provisions of this Section shall apply to all public waters over which the State has jurisdiction.

E. This Section does not apply to:

(1) a motorboat tuning up for or participating in official trials for a sanctioned race or regatta conducted as authorized by the appropriate unit of government, or

(2) a motorboat being operated by a boat or marine engine manufacturer for the purpose of testing or development as authorized by the appropriate unit of government.

F. Any person violating subsection A or B of this Section shall be required to:

(1) install an effective muffler system on the motorboat in violation;

(2) pass the sound level test prescribed by the Society of Automotive Engineers in its procedure J2005 before putting the motorboat back into use; and

(3) be subject to a Class B misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class A misdemeanor for any subsequent offense occurring within 3 years of the date of the most recent offense.

G. Any person violating subsection C of this Section shall be required to:

(1) install an effective muffler system on the motorboat in violation;

(2) pass the sound level test prescribed by the Society of Automotive Engineers in its procedure J2005 before putting the motorboat back into use; and

(3) be subject to a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class 4 felony for any subsequent offense.

H. Any person who operates any motorboat upon the waters of this State shall be deemed to have given consent to the test or tests as may be prescribed in this Section or by the Department to determine if the motorboat is in compliance with the provisions of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 87-391; 87-422; 87-895.)

(625 ILCS 45/4-4) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 314-4)

Sec. 4-4. Whistles.) It is unlawful to operate a motorboat without a mouth, hand or power operated whistle, horn or other appliance, capable of producing a blast of 2 seconds or more duration and audible for at least one-half mile.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/4-5) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 314-5)

Sec. 4-5. Fire extinguisher. It is unlawful to operate a motorboat equipped with an internal combustion engine anywhere in this State without at least one U. S. Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher, so placed as to be readily accessible and in such condition as to be ready for immediate and effective use.

(Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/4-6) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 314-6)

Sec. 4-6. Carburetor arrestors. Carburetors on all engines of motorboats other than those propelled by a detachable outboard motor shall be fitted with or protected by a U. S. Coast Guard approved device for arresting backfire.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/4-7) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 314-7)

Sec. 4-7. Ventilators. Except for open boats, all motorboats which use fuel having a flashpoint of 110 degrees Fahrenheit or less shall have at least 2 ventilator ducts, fitted with cowls or their equivalent, for the efficient removal of explosive or flammable gases from the bilges of every engine and fuel tank compartment. There shall be at least one exhaust duct installed so as to extend from the open atmosphere to the lower portion of the bilge and at least one intake duct installed so as to extend to a point at least midway to the bilge or at least below the level of the carburetor air intake. The cowls shall be located and trimmed for maximum effectiveness and in such a manner so as to prevent displaced fumes from being recirculated.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/4-8) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 314-8)

Sec. 4-8. Sirens and flashing lights.

(a) Except as provided in this Section, it shall be unlawful for any person to use a watercraft equipped with a siren or any red or blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing light. The use of a siren or light in violation of this Section shall constitute a public nuisance subject to confiscation and disposal as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(b) Any authorized emergency watercraft described in subsection (c) or (d) may be equipped with a siren, but the siren shall not be used except when the watercraft is operating in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law.

(c) The use of blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on law enforcement watercraft of State, federal, or local authorities.

(d) The use of red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on fire, rescue, or other emergency watercraft as authorized by State, federal, or local authorities having jurisdiction, provided the watercraft are clearly identifiable as such; the lights shall not be lighted except when responding to an emergency call or while actually engaged in a hazardous situation.

(e) The use of any other color of oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except as authorized by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 88-524.)

(625 ILCS 45/4-9) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 314-9)

Sec. 4-9. Sealing of marine heads. No marine head (toilet) on any watercraft used upon waters of this State may be so constructed and operated as to permit the discharge of any sewage into the waters directly or indirectly.

(Source: P.A. 88-524.)

(625 ILCS 45/4-10) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 314-10)

Sec. 4-10. Battery Covers. Every motorboat equipped with storage batteries shall be provided with suitable supports and secured against shifting with the motion of the boat. Such storage batteries shall be equipped with non-conductive shielding means to prevent accidental shorting of battery terminals.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/4-11) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 314-11)

Sec. 4-11. Engine cut-off switch.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Engine cut-off switch link" means the lanyard or wireless cut-off device used to attach the motorboat operator to the engine cut-off switch installed on the motorboat.

"Engine cut-off switch" means an operational emergency cut-off engine stop switch installed on a motorboat that attaches to a motorboat operator by an engine cut-off switch link.

(b) No person may operate any motor boat, including personal watercraft or specialty prop-craft, equipped with an engine cut-off switch while the engine is running and the motorboat is underway without verifying that the engine cut-off switch is operational and fully-functional and:

(1) the engine cut-off switch link is properly attached to his or her person, clothing or worn PFD, as appropriate for the specific vessel; or

(2) activating the wireless cut-off system.

(Source: P.A. 96-1033, eff. 7-14-10.)

(625 ILCS 45/4-12)

Sec. 4-12. Visual distress signals. It is unlawful to operate any watercraft on the waters of Lake Michigan without having onboard visual distress signals as required and approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, so placed as to be readily accessible and in such condition as to be ready for immediate and effective use.

(Source: P.A. 88-524.)

(625 ILCS 45/Art. V heading) ARTICLE V. OPERATION OF MOTORBOATS

(625 ILCS 45/5-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-1)

Sec. 5-1. Careless operation. No person shall operate any watercraft in a careless or heedless manner so as to endanger any person or property or at a rate of speed greater than will permit him in the exercise of reasonable care to bring the watercraft to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.

(Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-2)

Sec. 5-2. Reckless operation.

(a) No person shall operate any watercraft, specialty prop-craft, personal watercraft or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane, or similar device in such a manner as to willfully or wantonly endanger the life, limb or property of any person, to weave through congested traffic, to jump the wake of another vessel unreasonably or unnecessarily close to the other vessel or when visibility around the other vessel is obstructed, to wait until the last possible moment to swerve to avoid collision, or operate any watercraft so as to approach or pass another watercraft in such a manner or at such a rate of speed as to create a hazardous wake or wash.

(b) A person convicted of committing a violation of this Section shall be guilty of aggravated reckless operation of a watercraft if the violation of this Section resulted in great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement of another, when the violation was a proximate cause of the injuries.

(Source: P.A. 93-782, eff. 1-1-05.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-3)

Sec. 5-3. Interference with navigation.

(a) No person shall operate any watercraft in a manner which unreasonably or unnecessarily interferes with other watercraft or with the free and proper navigation of the waterways of the State.

(b) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or canal.

(c) A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a narrow channel or canal where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall navigate with alertness and caution and shall sound the appropriate audible signal as required by the Inland Rules as written by the United States Coast Guard and this Act.

(d) A vessel shall avoid anchoring in a narrow channel, under bridges, or in heavily traveled channels or canals, if unreasonable under the prevailing circumstances.

(Source: P.A. 102-595, eff. 6-1-22.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-4) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-4)

Sec. 5-4. Overloading.

A. No motorboat may be loaded with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity taking into consideration weather and other existing operating conditions. Water skiers, tubers, parasailers, or other persons towed by the motorboat shall be considered part of the total number of passengers and cargo allowed by a watercraft's capacity plate for the purpose of determining a motorboat's carrying capacity.

B. Capacity plates.

(1) Every vessel less than 26 feet in length, designed to carry 2 or more persons and to be propelled by machinery as its principal source of power or designed to be propelled by oars shall, if manufactured or offered for sale in this State, have affixed permanently thereto by the manufacturer a capacity plate as required by this Section. As used in this Section, "manufacture" means to construct or assemble a vessel or alter a vessel in such manner as to change its weight capacity.

(2) A capacity plate shall bear the following information permanently marked thereon in such manner as to be clearly visible and legible from the position designed or normally intended to be occupied by the operator of the vessel when under way:

a. For all vessels designed for or represented by the manufacturer as being suitable for use with outboard motor:

1. The total weight of persons, motor, gear and other articles placed aboard which the vessel is capable of carrying with safety under normal conditions.

2. The recommended number of persons commensurate with the weight capacity of the vessel and the presumed weight in pounds of each such person. In no instance may such presumed weight per person be less than 150 pounds.

3. Clear notice that the information appearing on the capacity plate is applicable under normal conditions and that the weight of the outboard motor and associated equipment is considered to be part of total weight capacity.

4. The maximum horsepower of the motor the vessel is designed or intended to accommodate.

b. For all other vessels to which this Section applies:

1. The total weight of persons, gear and other articles placed aboard which the vessel is capable of carrying with safety under normal conditions.

2. The recommended number of persons commensurate with the weight capacity of the vessel and the presumed weight in pounds of each such person. In no instance shall such presumed weight per person be less than 150 pounds.

3. Clear notice that the information appearing on the capacity plate is applicable under normal conditions.

(3) The information relating to maximum capacity required to appear on capacity plates by Subsection B (2) of this Section shall be determined in accordance with such methods and formulas as shall be prescribed by rule or regulation adopted by the Department. In prescribing such methods and formulas, the Department shall be guided by and give due regard to the necessity for uniformity in methods and formulas lawful for use in determining small vessel capacity in the several states and to any methods and formulas which may be recognized or recommended by the United States Coast Guard or any agency successor thereto.

(4) Any vessel to which this Section applies, not having a capacity plate meeting the requirements of law affixed thereto by the manufacturer thereof, may have such affixed by any other person in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Department may prescribe and may thereafter be offered for sale in this State, but no action taken pursuant to this Section or in the manner described herein, shall relieve any manufacturer from liability for failure to comply with the requirements of this Section.

(5) The information appearing on a capacity plate shall be deemed to warrant that the manufacturer, or the person affixing the capacity plate is permitted by Subsection B (4) of this Section, as the case may be, has correctly and faithfully employed a method and formula for the calculation of maximum weight capacity prescribed by the Department and that the information appearing on the capacity plate with respect to maximum weight capacity and recommended number of persons is the result of the application of such method and formula, and with respect to information concerning horsepower limitations, that such information is not a deliberate or negligent misrepresentation.

(6) If any vessel required by this Section to have a capacity plate affixed thereto is of such design or construction as to make it impracticable or undesirable to affix such plate, the manufacturer, or other person having the responsibility for affixing the plate, may represent such impracticability or undesirability to the Department in writing. Upon determination by the Department that such representation has merit and that a proper and effective substitute for the capacity plate which will serve the same purpose is feasible, the Department may authorize such alternative compliance and such alternative compliance shall thereafter be deemed compliance with the capacity plate requirements of this Section.

(7) The Department may by rules or regulations exempt from the requirements of this Section vessels which it finds to be of such unconventional design or construction that the information required on capacity plates would not assist in promoting safety or is not reasonably obtainable.

(8) The Department is authorized to issue and amend rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this Section.

Failure to affix a proper capacity plate shall constitute a separate violation of this subsection B for each vessel with respect to which such failure occurs.

(Source: P.A. 98-102, eff. 7-22-13.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-5) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-5)

Sec. 5-5. Incapacity of operator. The owner of any motorboat or any person having such in charge or in control shall not authorize or knowingly permit the same to be operated by any person who by reason of physical or mental disability is incapable of operating such motorboat under the prevailing circumstances.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-6) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-6)

Sec. 5-6. Overpowering. No motorboat shall be equipped with any motor or other propulsion machinery beyond its safe power capacity taking into consideration the type and construction of such motorboat and other existing operating conditions.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-7) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-7)

Sec. 5-7. Restricted areas. No person shall operate a watercraft within a water area that has been clearly marked by buoys or some other distinguishing device as a bathing, fishing, swimming or otherwise restricted area by the Department or a political subdivision of the State or by an owner or lessee of property in accordance with his or her rights to the use of the property, except in the manner prescribed by the buoys or other distinguishing devices. This Section shall not apply in the case of an emergency, or to patrol or rescue craft.

No person shall operate a watercraft within 150 feet of a public launching ramp owned, operated or maintained by the Department or a political subdivision of the State at greater than a "No Wake" speed as defined in Section 5-12 of this Act. Posting of the areas by the Department or a political subdivision of the State is not required.

The Department and other political subdivisions of the State may, within their discretion and after issuing an administrative rule in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, designate certain areas by proper signs to be bathing, fishing, swimming or otherwise restricted areas, or eliminate, alter or otherwise modify existing areas. The Department or a political subdivision of the State shall further have the authority in order to fully carry out the provisions of this Act to place signs, beacons and buoys in designated areas controlling the flow of traffic.

It shall be unlawful for any person to deface, move, obliterate, tear down, or destroy, in whole or in part, or attempt to deface, move, obliterate, tear down or destroy any buoys or signs posted pursuant to the provisions of this Act, except as authorized by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 92-651, eff. 7-11-02.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-12) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-7.5)

Sec. 5-12. A wake is defined as a movement of the water created by a boat underway great enough to disturb a boat at rest, but under no circumstances shall a boat underway exceed 5 miles per hour while in a posted "No Wake" area. "No Wake" areas shall be clearly posted with buoys or appropriate signs except as provided in Section 5-7 of this Act. All buoys or signs posting "No Wake" areas shall meet the specifications as prescribed by the United States Coast Guard or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-13) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-8)

Sec. 5-13. Traffic rules.

A. The area straight ahead of a vessel to the point that is 22.5 degrees beyond the middle of the vessel on the starboard side of the watercraft shall be designated the danger zone. An operator of a watercraft shall yield the right-of-way to any other watercraft occupying or entering into the danger zone that may result in collision.

A-5. Head-on situation.

(1) If 2 power-driven vessels are meeting head-on or nearly head-on courses so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other.

(2) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or canal shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or canal that lies on the starboard side as is safe and practicable.

(3) A power-driven vessel operating in narrow channels and proceeding downstream shall have the right-of-way over a vessel proceeding upstream. The vessel proceeding upstream shall yield as necessary to permit safe passing.

B. Crossing. As used in this Section, "crossing" means 2 or more watercraft traveling in directions that would have the path of travel of the watercraft intersect each other.

(1) If 2 power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve the risk of collision, the vessel that has the other on the starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.

(2) A power-driven vessel crossing a river shall keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river.

(3) A vessel may not cross a narrow channel or canal if the crossing impedes the passage of a vessel that can only safely navigate within the channel or canal.

C. Overtaking.

(1) A vessel overtaking any other shall give way to the vessel being overtaken.

(2) If a vessel operator is in doubt as to whether he or she is overtaking another vessel, the operator shall assume he or she is overtaking the other vessel and shall act accordingly.

(3) Any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the 2 vessels shall not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel within the meaning of this Section or relieve the overtaking operator of the duty to keep clear of the overtaken vessel until finally past and clear.

(4) When overtaking in a narrow channel or canal, the operator of a power-driven vessel intending to overtake another power-driven vessel shall proceed to pass safety only after indicating his or her intention by sounding the horn as follows:

(a) one short blast from the horn signifies a request to pass on the overtaken vessel's starboard side;

(b) 2 short blasts from the horn signify a request to pass on the overtaken vessel's port side.

(5) The operator of the power-driven vessel being overtaken shall:

(a) acknowledge the request by sounding the same signal; or

(b) sound 5 short blasts from the horn to indicate danger or to warn the overtaking vessel not to pass.

No response from the overtaken vessel shall be interpreted as an indication of danger and is the same as if 5 short blasts from the horn were sounded. In the absence of an audible signal or horn, a light signal device using the appropriate number of rapid bursts of light may be used.

D. Sailing vessels.

(1) The operator of a power-driven vessel shall yield the right-of-way to any nonpowered or sailing vessel unless the nonpowered vessel is overtaking the power-driven vessel or when a large craft is navigating in a confined channel, the large craft has the right-of-way over a boat propelled solely by oars or sails.

(2) If 2 sailing vessels are approaching one another, so as to involve risk of collision, one of them shall keep out of the way of the other as follows:

(a) If each has the wind on a different side, the vessel that has the wind on the port side shall give way to the other vessel.

(b) If both have the wind on the same side, the vessel that is to windward shall give way to the vessel that is to leeward.

(c) If a vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether the other vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side, the vessel shall give way to the other vessel.

(Source: P.A. 102-595, eff. 6-1-22.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-14) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-9)

Sec. 5-14. Towing of persons.

A. No person may operate a motorboat that has in tow or is otherwise assisting a person on water skis, an aquaplane, or a similar contrivance in or upon any waterway, unless the motorboat has a capacity of at least 3 persons and is occupied by at least 2 competent persons.

B. No person may operate a motorboat having in tow or otherwise be assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar contrivance from the period of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. This paragraph B does not apply to motorboats used in duly authorized water ski tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials therefor where adequate lighting is provided.

C. All persons operating a motorboat having in tow or otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar contrivance, must be careful and prudent in their operation and keep at a reasonable distance from persons and property so as not to endanger the life or property of any person.

D. No person may operate or manipulate any vessel, tow rope or other device by which the direction or location of water skis, aquaplane, or similar device may be affected or controlled in such a way as to cause the water skis, aquaplane, or similar device, or any persons thereon to collide with or strike against any person or object, except ski jumps, buoys and like objects normally used in competitive or recreational skiing.

E. The operator of any watercraft that is towing a person or persons shall display on the watercraft a bright or brilliant orange flag measuring not less than 12 inches per side. The flag shall be displayed at the highest point of the area surrounding the boat's helm as to be visible from all directions, continuously, while the person or persons being towed depart the boat in preparation for towing and until reentry into the boat when the activity has ceased. Display of the flag for purposes other than the activity described in this Section is prohibited.

(Source: P.A. 98-697, eff. 1-1-15.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-15) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-10)

Sec. 5-15. Regattas and races. A. The Department may authorize the holding of regattas, motorboat or other boat races on any waters of this State. It shall adopt and may, from time to time, amend regulations concerning the safety of motorboats and other vessels and persons thereon, either observers or participants. Whenever a regatta, motorboat or other boat race is proposed to be held, the person in charge thereof, shall, at least 30 days prior thereto, file an application with the Department for permission to hold such regatta, motorboat or other boat race. The application shall set forth the date, time and location where it is proposed to hold such regatta, motorboat or other boat race and it shall not be conducted without authorization of the Department in writing.

B. When a regatta, motorboat or other boat race authorized or proposed to be authorized under subsection A of this Section is to be held on a body of water owned and operated by a unit of local government, the unit of local government may schedule those events, but only after adopting an ordinance providing for such scheduling and filing it with the Department.

C. The provisions of this Section do not exempt any person from compliance with applicable Federal law or regulation, but nothing contained herein may be construed to require the securing of a State permit pursuant to this Section if a permit therefor has been obtained from an authorized agency of the United States.

(Source: P.A. 84-559.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-16)

Sec. 5-16. Operating a watercraft under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or combination thereof.

(A) 1. A person shall not operate or be in actual physical control of any watercraft within this State while:

(a) The alcohol concentration in such person's blood, other bodily substance, or breath is a concentration at which driving a motor vehicle is prohibited under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of Section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code;

(b) Under the influence of alcohol;

(c) Under the influence of any other drug or combination of drugs to a degree which renders such person incapable of safely operating any watercraft;

(c-1) Under the influence of any intoxicating compound or combination of intoxicating compounds to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely operating any watercraft;

(d) Under the combined influence of alcohol and any other drug or drugs to a degree which renders such person incapable of safely operating a watercraft;

(d-3) The person who is not a CDL holder has a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration in the person's whole blood or other bodily substance at which driving a motor vehicle is prohibited under subdivision (7) of subsection (a) of Section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code;

(d-5) The person who is a CDL holder has any amount of a drug, substance, or compound in the person's breath, blood, other bodily substance, or urine resulting from the unlawful use or consumption of cannabis listed in the Cannabis Control Act; or

(e) There is any amount of a drug, substance, or compound in the person's blood, other bodily substance, or urine resulting from the unlawful use or consumption of a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, methamphetamine as listed in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, or an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act.

2. The fact that any person charged with violating this Section is or has been legally entitled to use alcohol, other drug or drugs, any intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination of them, shall not constitute a defense against any charge of violating this Section.

3. Every person convicted of violating this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, except as otherwise provided in this Section.

4. Every person convicted of violating this Section shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony if:

(a) He or she has a previous conviction under this Section;

(b) The offense results in personal injury where a person other than the operator suffers great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement, when the violation was a proximate cause of the injuries. A person guilty of a Class 4 felony under this subparagraph (b), if sentenced to a term of imprisonment, shall be sentenced to a term of not less than one year nor more than 12 years; or

(c) The offense occurred during a period in which his or her privileges to operate a watercraft are revoked or suspended, and the revocation or suspension was for a violation of this Section or was imposed under subsection (B).

5. Every person convicted of violating this Section shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony if the offense results in the death of a person. A person guilty of a Class 2 felony under this paragraph 5, if sentenced to a term of imprisonment, shall be sentenced to a term of not less than 3 years and not more than 14 years.

5.1. A person convicted of violating this Section or a similar provision of a local ordinance who had a child under the age of 16 aboard the watercraft at the time of offense is subject to a mandatory minimum fine of $500 and to a mandatory minimum of 5 days of community service in a program benefiting children. The assignment under this paragraph 5.1 is not subject to suspension and the person is not eligible for probation in order to reduce the assignment.

5.2. A person found guilty of violating this Section, if his or her operation of a watercraft while in violation of this Section proximately caused any incident resulting in an appropriate emergency response, is liable for the expense of an emergency response as provided in subsection (m) of Section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

5.3. In addition to any other penalties and liabilities, a person who is found guilty of violating this Section, including any person placed on court supervision, shall be fined $100, payable to the circuit clerk, who shall distribute the money to the law enforcement agency that made the arrest or as provided in subsection (c) of Section 10-5 of the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act if the arresting agency is a State agency, unless more than one agency is responsible for the arrest, in which case the amount shall be remitted to each unit of government equally. Any moneys received by a law enforcement agency under this paragraph 5.3 shall be used to purchase law enforcement equipment or to provide law enforcement training that will assist in the prevention of alcohol related criminal violence throughout the State. Law enforcement equipment shall include, but is not limited to, in-car video cameras, radar and laser speed detection devices, and alcohol breath testers.

6. (a) In addition to any criminal penalties imposed, the Department of Natural Resources shall suspend the watercraft operation privileges of any person convicted or found guilty of a misdemeanor under this Section, a similar provision of a local ordinance, or Title 46 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations for a period of one year, except that a first time offender is exempt from this mandatory one year suspension.

As used in this subdivision (A)6(a), "first time offender" means any person who has not had a previous conviction or been assigned supervision for violating this Section, a similar provision of a local ordinance or, Title 46 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, or any person who has not had a suspension imposed under subdivision (B)3.1 of Section 5-16.

(b) In addition to any criminal penalties imposed, the Department of Natural Resources shall suspend the watercraft operation privileges of any person convicted of a felony under this Section, a similar provision of a local ordinance, or Title 46 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations for a period of 3 years.

(B) 1. Any person who operates or is in actual physical control of any watercraft upon the waters of this State shall be deemed to have given consent to a chemical test or tests of blood, breath, other bodily substance, or urine for the purpose of determining the content of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or combination thereof in the person's blood or other bodily substance if arrested for any offense of subsection (A) above. The chemical test or tests shall be administered at the direction of the arresting officer. The law enforcement agency employing the officer shall designate which of the tests shall be administered. Up to 2 additional tests of urine or other bodily substance may be administered even after a blood or breath test or both has been administered.

1.1. For the purposes of this Section, an Illinois Law Enforcement officer of this State who is investigating the person for any offense defined in Section 5-16 may travel into an adjoining state, where the person has been transported for medical care to complete an investigation, and may request that the person submit to the test or tests set forth in this Section. The requirements of this Section that the person be arrested are inapplicable, but the officer shall issue the person a uniform citation for an offense as defined in Section 5-16 or a similar provision of a local ordinance prior to requesting that the person submit to the test or tests. The issuance of the uniform citation shall not constitute an arrest, but shall be for the purpose of notifying the person that he or she is subject to the provisions of this Section and of the officer's belief in the existence of probable cause to arrest. Upon returning to this State, the officer shall file the uniform citation with the circuit clerk of the county where the offense was committed and shall seek the issuance of an arrest warrant or a summons for the person.

1.2. Notwithstanding any ability to refuse under this Act to submit to these tests or any ability to revoke the implied consent to these tests, if a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that a watercraft operated by or under actual physical control of a person under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination of them has caused the death of or personal injury to another, that person shall submit, upon the request of a law enforcement officer, to a chemical test or tests of his or her blood, breath, other bodily substance, or urine for the purpose of determining the alcohol content or the presence of any other drug, intoxicating compound, or combination of them. For the purposes of this Section, a personal injury includes severe bleeding wounds, distorted extremities, and injuries that require the injured party to be carried from the scene for immediate professional attention in either a doctor's office or a medical facility.

2. Any person who is dead, unconscious or who is otherwise in a condition rendering such person incapable of refusal, shall be deemed not to have withdrawn the consent provided above, and the test may be administered.

3. A person requested to submit to a chemical test as provided above shall be verbally advised by the law enforcement officer requesting the test that a refusal to submit to the test will result in suspension of such person's privilege to operate a watercraft for a minimum of 2 years. Following this warning, if a person under arrest refuses upon the request of a law enforcement officer to submit to a test designated by the officer, no test shall be given, but the law enforcement officer shall file with the clerk of the circuit court for the county in which the arrest was made, and with the Department of Natural Resources, a sworn statement naming the person refusing to take and complete the chemical test or tests requested under the provisions of this Section. Such sworn statement shall identify the arrested person, such person's current residence address and shall specify that a refusal by such person to take the chemical test or tests was made. Such sworn statement shall include a statement that the arresting officer had reasonable cause to believe the person was operating or was in actual physical control of the watercraft within this State while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or combination thereof and that such chemical test or tests were made as an incident to and following the lawful arrest for an offense as defined in this Section or a similar provision of a local ordinance, and that the person after being arrested for an offense arising out of acts alleged to have been committed while so operating a watercraft refused to submit to and complete a chemical test or tests as requested by the law enforcement officer.

3.1. The law enforcement officer submitting the sworn statement as provided in paragraph 3 of this subsection (B) shall serve immediate written notice upon the person refusing the chemical test or tests that the person's privilege to operate a watercraft within this State will be suspended for a period of 2 years unless, within 28 days from the date of the notice, the person requests in writing a hearing on the suspension.

If the person desires a hearing, such person shall file a complaint in the circuit court for and in the county in which such person was arrested for such hearing. Such hearing shall proceed in the court in the same manner as other civil proceedings, shall cover only the issues of whether the person was placed under arrest for an offense as defined in this Section or a similar provision of a local ordinance as evidenced by the issuance of a uniform citation; whether the arresting officer had reasonable grounds to believe that such person was operating a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or combination thereof; and whether such person refused to submit and complete the chemical test or tests upon the request of the law enforcement officer. Whether the person was informed that such person's privilege to operate a watercraft would be suspended if such person refused to submit to the chemical test or tests shall not be an issue.

If the person fails to request in writing a hearing within 28 days from the date of notice, or if a hearing is held and the court finds against the person on the issues before the court, the clerk shall immediately notify the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department shall suspend the watercraft operation privileges of the person for at least 2 years.

3.2. If the person is a CDL holder and submits to a test that discloses an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, or any amount of a drug, substance or intoxicating compound in the person's breath, blood, other bodily substance, or urine resulting from the unlawful use of cannabis listed in the Cannabis Control Act, a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, methamphetamine as listed in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, or an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act, the law enforcement officer shall immediately submit a sworn report to the circuit clerk of venue and the Department of Natural Resources, certifying that the test or tests were requested under paragraph 1 of this subsection (B) and the person submitted to testing that disclosed an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more or any amount of a drug, substance or intoxicating compound in the person's breath, blood, other bodily substance, or urine resulting from the unlawful use of cannabis listed in the Cannabis Control Act, a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, methamphetamine as listed in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, or an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act. If the person is not a CDL holder and submits to a test that discloses an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration in the person's whole blood or other bodily substance as defined in paragraph 6 of subsection (a) of Section 11-501.2 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, or any amount of a drug, substance or intoxicating compound in the person's breath, blood, other bodily substance, or urine resulting from the unlawful use of a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, methamphetamine as listed in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, or an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act, the law enforcement officer shall immediately submit a sworn report to the circuit clerk of venue and the Department of Natural Resources, certifying that the test or tests were requested under paragraph 1 of this subsection (B) and the person submitted to testing that disclosed an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration in the person's whole blood or other bodily substance as defined in paragraph 6 of subsection (a) of Section 11-501.2 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, or any amount of a drug, substance or intoxicating compound in the person's breath, blood, other bodily substance, or urine resulting from the unlawful use of a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, methamphetamine as listed in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, or an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act.

In cases involving a person who is a CDL holder where the blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or greater or any amount of drug, substance or compound resulting from the unlawful use of cannabis, a controlled substance, methamphetamine, or an intoxicating compound is established by a subsequent analysis of blood, other bodily substance, or urine collected at the time of arrest, the arresting officer or arresting agency shall immediately submit a sworn report to the circuit clerk of venue and the Department of Natural Resources upon receipt of the test results. In cases involving a person who is not a CDL holder where the blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or greater, a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration in the person's whole blood or other bodily substance as defined in paragraph 6 of subsection (a) of Section 11-501.2 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, or any amount of drug, substance, or compound resulting from the unlawful use of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, or an intoxicating compound is established by a subsequent analysis of blood, other bodily substance, or urine collected at the time of arrest, the arresting officer or arresting agency shall immediately submit a sworn report to the circuit clerk of venue and the Department of Natural Resources upon receipt of the test results.

4. A person must submit to each chemical test offered by the law enforcement officer in order to comply with the implied consent provisions of this Section.

5. The provisions of Section 11-501.2 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, as amended, concerning the certification and use of chemical tests apply to the use of such tests under this Section.

(C) Upon the trial of any civil or criminal action or proceeding arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by any person while operating a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or combination thereof, the concentration of alcohol, drug, or compound in the person's blood, other bodily substance, or breath at the time alleged as shown by analysis of a person's blood, urine, breath, or other bodily substance shall give rise to the presumptions specified in subdivisions 1, 2, and 3 of subsection (b) and subsection (b-5) of Section 11-501.2 of the Illinois Vehicle Code. The foregoing provisions of this subsection (C) shall not be construed as limiting the introduction of any other relevant evidence bearing upon the question whether the person was under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or a combination thereof.

(D) If a person under arrest refuses to submit to a chemical test under the provisions of this Section, evidence of refusal shall be admissible in any civil or criminal action or proceeding arising out of acts alleged to have been committed while the person under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or combination of them was operating a watercraft.

(E) The owner of any watercraft or any person given supervisory authority over a watercraft, may not knowingly permit a watercraft to be operated by any person under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or combination thereof.

(F) Whenever any person is convicted or found guilty of a violation of this Section, including any person placed on court supervision, the court shall notify the Office of Law Enforcement of the Department of Natural Resources, to provide the Department with the records essential for the performance of the Department's duties to monitor and enforce any order of suspension or revocation concerning the privilege to operate a watercraft.

(G) No person who has been arrested and charged for violating paragraph 1 of subsection (A) of this Section shall operate any watercraft within this State for a period of 24 hours after such arrest.

(Source: P.A. 102-145, eff. 7-23-21.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-16a) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-11a)

Sec. 5-16a. Admissibility of chemical tests of blood, other bodily substance, or urine conducted in the regular course of providing emergency medical treatment.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the written results of blood, other bodily substance, or urine alcohol and drug tests conducted upon persons receiving medical treatment in a hospital emergency room are admissible in evidence as a business record exception to the hearsay rule only in prosecutions for any violation of Section 5-16 of this Act or a similar provision of a local ordinance or in prosecutions for reckless homicide brought under the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012, when:

(1) the chemical tests performed upon an individual's blood, other bodily substance, or urine were ordered in the regular course of providing emergency treatment and not at the request of law enforcement authorities; and

(2) the chemical tests performed upon an individual's blood, other bodily substance, or urine were performed by the laboratory routinely used by the hospital.

Results of chemical tests performed upon an individual's blood, other bodily substance, or urine are admissible into evidence regardless of the time that the records were prepared.

(b) The confidentiality provisions of law pertaining to medical records and medical treatment shall not be applicable with regard to chemical tests performed upon an individual's blood, other bodily substance, or urine under the provisions of this Section in prosecutions as specified in subsection (a) of this Section. No person shall be liable for civil damages as a result of the evidentiary use of the results of chemical testing of an individual's blood, other bodily substance, or urine under this Section or as a result of that person's testimony made available under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 99-697, eff. 7-29-16.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-16a.1)

Sec. 5-16a.1. Reporting of test results of blood, other bodily substance, or urine conducted in the regular course of providing emergency medical treatment.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the results of blood, other bodily substance, or urine tests performed for the purpose of determining the content of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination of them in an individual's blood, other bodily substance, or urine, conducted upon persons receiving medical treatment in a hospital emergency room for injuries resulting from a boating accident, shall be disclosed to the Department of Natural Resources or local law enforcement agencies of jurisdiction, upon request. The blood, other bodily substance, or urine tests are admissible in evidence as a business record exception to the hearsay rule only in prosecutions for violations of Section 5-16 of this Code or a similar provision of a local ordinance, or in prosecutions for reckless homicide brought under the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012.

(b) The confidentiality provisions of the law pertaining to medical records and medical treatment shall not be applicable with regard to tests performed upon an individual's blood, other bodily substance, or urine under the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section. No person is liable for civil damages or professional discipline as a result of disclosure or reporting of the tests or the evidentiary use of an individual's blood, other bodily substance, or urine test results under this Section or Section 5-16a, or as a result of that person's testimony made available under this Section or Section 5-16a, except for willful or wanton misconduct.

(Source: P.A. 99-697, eff. 7-29-16.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-16b) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-11b)

Sec. 5-16b. Preliminary breath screening test. If a law enforcement officer has reasonable suspicion to believe that a person is violating or has violated Section 5-16 or a similar provision of a local ordinance, the officer, prior to an arrest, may request the person to provide a sample of his or her breath for a preliminary breath screening test using a portable device approved by the Illinois State Police. The results of this preliminary breath screening test may be used by the law enforcement officer for the purpose of assisting with the determination of whether to require a chemical test as authorized under Section 5-16 and the appropriate type of test to request. Any chemical test authorized under Section 5-16 may be requested by the officer regardless of the result of the preliminary breath screening test if probable cause for an arrest exists. The result of a preliminary breath screening test may be used by the defendant as evidence in any administrative or court proceeding involving a violation of Section 5-16.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-16c)

Sec. 5-16c. Operator involvement in personal injury or fatal boating accident; chemical tests.

(a) Any person who operates or is in actual physical control of a motorboat within this State and who has been involved in a personal injury or fatal boating accident shall be deemed to have given consent to a breath test using a portable device as approved by the Illinois State Police or to a chemical test or tests of blood, breath, other bodily substance, or urine for the purpose of determining the content of alcohol, other drug or drugs, or intoxicating compound or compounds of the person's blood if arrested as evidenced by the issuance of a uniform citation for a violation of the Boat Registration and Safety Act or a similar provision of a local ordinance, with the exception of equipment violations contained in Article IV of this Act or similar provisions of local ordinances. The test or tests shall be administered at the direction of the arresting officer. The law enforcement agency employing the officer shall designate which of the aforesaid tests shall be administered. Up to 2 additional tests of urine or other bodily substance may be administered even after a blood or breath test or both has been administered. Compliance with this Section does not relieve the person from the requirements of any other Section of this Act.

(b) Any person who is dead, unconscious, or who is otherwise in a condition rendering that person incapable of refusal shall be deemed not to have withdrawn the consent provided by subsection (a) of this Section. In addition, if an operator of a motorboat is receiving medical treatment as a result of a boating accident, any physician licensed to practice medicine, licensed physician assistant, licensed advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse, or a phlebotomist acting under the direction of a licensed physician shall withdraw blood for testing purposes to ascertain the presence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, or intoxicating compound or compounds, upon the specific request of a law enforcement officer. However, this testing shall not be performed until, in the opinion of the medical personnel on scene, the withdrawal can be made without interfering with or endangering the well-being of the patient.

(c) A person who is a CDL holder requested to submit to a test under subsection (a) of this Section shall be warned by the law enforcement officer requesting the test that a refusal to submit to the test, or submission to the test resulting in an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, or any amount of a drug, substance, or intoxicating compound resulting from the unlawful use or consumption of cannabis listed in the Cannabis Control Act, a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act, or methamphetamine as listed in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act as detected in the person's blood, other bodily substance, or urine, may result in the suspension of the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle and may result in the disqualification of the person's privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle, as provided in Section 6-514 of the Illinois Vehicle Code. A person who is not a CDL holder requested to submit to a test under subsection (a) of this Section shall be warned by the law enforcement officer requesting the test that a refusal to submit to the test, or submission to the test resulting in an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration in the person's whole blood or other bodily substance as defined in paragraph 6 of subsection (a) of Section 11-501.2 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, or any amount of a drug, substance, or intoxicating compound resulting from the unlawful use or consumption of a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act, or methamphetamine as listed in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act as detected in the person's blood, other bodily substance, or urine, may result in the suspension of the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle. The length of the suspension shall be the same as outlined in Section 6-208.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code regarding statutory summary suspensions.

(d) If the person is a CDL holder and refuses testing or submits to a test which discloses an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, or any amount of a drug, substance, or intoxicating compound in the person's blood, other bodily substance, or urine resulting from the unlawful use or consumption of cannabis listed in the Cannabis Control Act, a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act, or methamphetamine as listed in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, the law enforcement officer shall immediately submit a sworn report to the Secretary of State on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State, certifying that the test or tests were requested under subsection (a) of this Section and the person refused to submit to a test or tests or submitted to testing which disclosed an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, or any amount of a drug, substance, or intoxicating compound in the person's blood, other bodily substance, or urine, resulting from the unlawful use or consumption of cannabis listed in the Cannabis Control Act, a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act, or methamphetamine as listed in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act. If the person is not a CDL holder and refuses testing or submits to a test which discloses an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration in the person's whole blood or other bodily substance as defined in paragraph 6 of subsection (a) of Section 11-501.2 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, or any amount of a drug, substance, or intoxicating compound in the person's blood, other bodily substance, or urine resulting from the unlawful use or consumption of a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act, or methamphetamine as listed in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, the law enforcement officer shall immediately submit a sworn report to the Secretary of State on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State, certifying that the test or tests were requested under subsection (a) of this Section and the person refused to submit to a test or tests or submitted to testing which disclosed an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration in the person's whole blood or other bodily substance as defined in paragraph 6 of subsection (a) of Section 11-501.2 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, or any amount of a drug, substance, or intoxicating compound in the person's blood or urine, resulting from the unlawful use or consumption of a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act, or methamphetamine as listed in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act.

Upon receipt of the sworn report of a law enforcement officer, the Secretary of State shall enter the suspension and disqualification to the person's driving record and the suspension and disqualification shall be effective on the 46th day following the date notice of the suspension was given to the person.

The law enforcement officer submitting the sworn report shall serve immediate notice of this suspension on the person and this suspension and disqualification shall be effective on the 46th day following the date notice was given.

In cases involving a person who is a CDL holder where the blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, or any amount of a drug, substance, or intoxicating compound resulting from the unlawful use or consumption of cannabis listed in the Cannabis Control Act, a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act, or methamphetamine as listed in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, is established by a subsequent analysis of blood, other bodily substance, or urine collected at the time of arrest, the arresting officer shall give notice as provided in this Section or by deposit in the United States mail of this notice in an envelope with postage prepaid and addressed to the person at his or her address as shown on the uniform citation and the suspension and disqualification shall be effective on the 46th day following the date notice was given. In cases involving a person who is not a CDL holder where the blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration in the person's whole blood or other bodily substance as defined in paragraph 6 of subsection (a) of Section 11-501.2 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, or any amount of a drug, substance, or intoxicating compound resulting from the unlawful use or consumption of a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act, or methamphetamine as listed in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, is established by a subsequent analysis of blood, other bodily substance, or urine collected at the time of arrest, the arresting officer shall give notice as provided in this Section or by deposit in the United States mail of this notice in an envelope with postage prepaid and addressed to the person at his or her address as shown on the uniform citation and the suspension shall be effective on the 46th day following the date notice was given.

Upon receipt of the sworn report of a law enforcement officer, the Secretary of State shall also give notice of the suspension and disqualification to the person by mailing a notice of the effective date of the suspension and disqualification to the person. However, should the sworn report be defective by not containing sufficient information or be completed in error, the notice of the suspension and disqualification shall not be mailed to the person or entered to the driving record, but rather the sworn report shall be returned to the issuing law enforcement agency.

(e) A person may contest this suspension of his or her driving privileges and disqualification of his or her CDL privileges by requesting an administrative hearing with the Secretary of State in accordance with Section 2-118 of the Illinois Vehicle Code. At the conclusion of a hearing held under Section 2-118 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, the Secretary of State may rescind, continue, or modify the orders of suspension and disqualification. If the Secretary of State does not rescind the orders of suspension and disqualification, a restricted driving permit may be granted by the Secretary of State upon application being made and good cause shown. A restricted driving permit may be granted to relieve undue hardship to allow driving for employment, educational, and medical purposes as outlined in Section 6-206 of the Illinois Vehicle Code. The provisions of Section 6-206 of the Illinois Vehicle Code shall apply. In accordance with 49 C.F.R. 384, the Secretary of State may not issue a restricted driving permit for the operation of a commercial motor vehicle to a person holding a CDL whose driving privileges have been suspended, revoked, cancelled, or disqualified.

(f) For the purposes of this Section, a personal injury shall include any type A injury as indicated on the accident report completed by a law enforcement officer that requires immediate professional attention in a doctor's office or a medical facility. A type A injury shall include severely bleeding wounds, distorted extremities, and injuries that require the injured party to be carried from the scene.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-17) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-12)

Sec. 5-17. The Department is authorized and empowered to establish a system of regulatory aids on the waters of the State in accordance with United States Coast Guard specifications and as recommended by the Coast Guard as a uniform waterway marking system.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-18) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-13)

Sec. 5-18. (a) Beginning on January 1, 2016, no person born on or after January 1, 1998, unless exempted by subsection (i), shall operate a motorboat with over 10 horse power unless that person has a valid Boating Safety Certificate issued by the Department of Natural Resources or an entity or organization recognized and approved by the Department.

(b) No person under 10 years of age may operate a motorboat.

(c) Prior to January 1, 2016, persons at least 10 years of age and less than 12 years of age may operate a motorboat with over 10 horse power only if they are accompanied on the motorboat and under the direct control of a parent or guardian or a person at least 18 years of age designated by a parent or guardian. Beginning on January 1, 2016, persons at least 10 years of age and less than 12 years of age may operate a motorboat with over 10 horse power only if the person is under the direct on-board supervision of a parent or guardian who meets the requirements of subsection (a) or a person at least 18 years of age who meets the requirements of subsection (a) and is designated by a parent or guardian.

(d) Prior to January 1, 2016, persons at least 12 years of age and less than 18 years of age may operate a motorboat with over 10 horse power only if they are accompanied on the motorboat and under the direct control of a parent or guardian or a person at least 18 years of age designated by a parent or guardian, or the motorboat operator is in possession of a Boating Safety Certificate issued by the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Law Enforcement, authorizing the holder to operate motorboats. Beginning on January 1, 2016, persons at least 12 years and less than 18 years of age may operate a motorboat with over 10 horse power only if the person meets the requirements of subsection (a) or is under the direct on-board supervision of a parent or guardian who meets the requirements of subsection (a) or a person at least 18 years of age who meets the requirements of subsection (a) and is designated by a parent or guardian.

(e) Beginning January 1, 2016, the owner of a motorboat or a person given supervisory authority over a motorboat shall not permit a motorboat with over 10 horse power to be operated by a person who does not meet the Boating Safety Certificate requirements of this Section.

(f) Licensed boat liveries shall offer abbreviated operating and safety instruction covering core boat safety rules to all renters, unless the renter can demonstrate compliance with the Illinois Boating Safety Certificate requirements of this Section, or is exempt under subsection (i) of this Section. A person who completes abbreviated operating and safety instruction may operate a motorboat rented from the livery providing the abbreviated operating and safety instruction without having a Boating Safety Certificate for up to one year from the date of instruction. The Department shall adopt rules to implement this subsection.

(g) Violations.

(1) A person who is operating a motorboat with over 10 horse power and is required to have a valid Boating Safety Certificate under the provisions of this Section shall present the certificate to a law enforcement officer upon request. Failure of the person to present the certificate upon request is a petty offense.

(2) A person who provides false or fictitious information in an application for a Boating Safety Certificate; or who alters, forges, counterfeits, or falsifies a Boating Safety Certificate; or who possesses a Boating Safety Certificate that has been altered, forged, counterfeited, or falsified is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(3) A person who loans or permits his or her Boating Safety Certificate to be used by another person or who operates a motorboat with over 10 horse power using a Boating Safety Certificate that has not been issued to that person is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(4) A violation of this Section done with the knowledge of a parent or guardian shall be deemed a violation by the parent or guardian and punishable under Section 11A-1.

(h) The Department of Natural Resources shall establish a program of instruction on boating safety, laws, regulations and administrative laws, and any other subject matter which might be related to the subject of general boat safety. The program shall be conducted by instructors certified by the Department of Natural Resources. The course of instruction for persons certified to teach boating safety shall be not less than 8 hours in length, and the Department shall have the authority to revoke the certification of any instructor who has demonstrated his inability to conduct courses on the subject matter. The Department of Natural Resources shall develop and provide a method for students to complete the program online. Students satisfactorily completing a program of not less than 8 hours in length shall receive a certificate of safety from the Department of Natural Resources. The Department may cooperate with schools, online vendors, private clubs and other organizations in offering boating safety courses throughout the State of Illinois.

The Department shall issue certificates of boating safety to persons 10 years of age or older successfully completing the prescribed course of instruction and passing such tests as may be prescribed by the Department. The Department may charge each person who enrolls in a course of instruction a fee not to exceed $5. If a fee is authorized by the Department, the Department shall authorize instructors conducting such courses meeting standards established by it to charge for the rental of facilities or for the cost of materials utilized in the course. Fees retained by the Department shall be utilized to defray a part of its expenses to operate the safety and accident reporting programs of the Department.

(i) A Boating Safety Certificate is not required by:

(1) a person who possesses a valid United States Coast Guard commercial vessel operator's license or a marine certificate issued by the Canadian government;

(2) a person employed by the United States, this State, another state, or a subdivision thereof while in performance of his or her official duties;

(3) a person who is not a resident, is temporarily using the waters of this State for a period not to exceed 90 days, and meets any applicable boating safety education requirements of his or her state of residency or possesses a Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator's Card;

(4) a person who is a resident of this State who has met the applicable boating safety education requirements of another state or possesses a Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator's Card;

(5) a person who has assumed operation of the motorboat due to the illness or physical impairment of the operator, and is returning the motorboat or personal watercraft to shore in order to provide assistance or care for that operator;

(6) a person who is registered as a commercial fisherman or a person who is under the onboard direct supervision of the commercial fisherman while operating the commercial fisherman's vessel;

(7) a person who is serving or has qualified as a surface warfare officer or enlisted surface warfare specialist in the United States Navy;

(8) a person who has assumed operation of the motorboat for the purpose of completing a watercraft safety course approved by the Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, or the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators;

(9) a person using only an electric motor to propel the motorboat;

(10) a person operating a motorboat on private property;

(11) a person over the age of 12 years who holds a valid certificate issued by another state, a province of the Dominion of Canada, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary or the United States Power Squadron need not obtain a certificate from the Department if the course content of the program in such other state, province or organization substantially meets that established by the Department under this Section. A certificate issued by the Department or by another state, province of the Dominion of Canada or approved organization shall not constitute an operator's license, but shall certify only that the student has successfully passed a course in boating safety instruction; or

(12) a person who is temporarily using the waters of this State for the purpose of participating in a boat racing event sanctioned by the Department of Natural Resources or authorized federal agency. The organizer or holder of the sanctioned event shall possess liability insurance for property damage and bodily injury or death with a minimum benefit of $1,000,000 that shall remain in effect through the entirety of the event.

(j) The Department of Natural Resources shall adopt rules necessary to implement this Section. The Department of Natural Resources shall consult and coordinate with the boating public, professional organizations for recreational boating safety, and the boating retail, leasing, and dealer business community in the adoption of these rules.

(Source: P.A. 98-698, eff. 1-1-15; 99-78, eff. 7-20-15; 99-526, eff. 7-8-16.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-19) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-14)

Sec. 5-19. Skin diving.

(A) 1. No person may engage in underwater diving or swimming with the use of swimming fins or skin diving in waters other than marked swimming areas or within 150 feet of shoreline.

2. No person may engage in underwater diving or swimming with the use of self-contained underwater breathing apparatus in waters other than marked swimming areas, unless the location of such diving or swimming is distinctly marked by a diver's flag, not less than 12 inches high and 15 inches long, displaying one diagonal white stripe 3 inches wide on a red background, and of a height above the water so as to be clearly apparent at a distance of 100 yards under normal conditions, and so designed and displayed as to be visible from any point on the horizon.

3. Except in case of emergency, anyone engaging in such diving or swimming shall not rise to the surface outside of a radius of 50 feet from such flag.

4. No person engaged in such diving or swimming shall interfere with the operation of anyone fishing, nor engage in such diving or swimming in established traffic lanes; nor shall any person acting alone, or with another, intentionally or unintentionally block or obstruct any boat in any manner from proceeding to its destination where a reasonable alternative is unavailable. A reasonable alternative route is available when the otherwise unobstructed boat can proceed to its destination without reducing its lawful speed, by passing to the right or to the left of a marked diving operation.

(B) An alternate flag recognized and approved by the United States Coast Guard may be substituted for the flag required in subsection (A)2 of this Section.

(C) No watercraft shall be operated within 150 feet of a diving flag except for watercraft directly associated with that diving activity.

(Source: P.A. 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-20)

Sec. 5-20. Unlawful operation at night. Beginning July 1, 1994, no person shall operate a personal watercraft or a specialty prop craft between the hours of sunset and sunrise.

(Source: P.A. 88-524; 88-670, eff. 12-2-94.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-21)

Sec. 5-21. Passenger location. No person operating a motorboat shall allow a person in the motorboat to ride or sit on the gunwales, tops of seat backs, or on the decking over the bow or stern of the motorboat while the motorboat is underway, unless the person is inboard of guards or rails provided on the motorboat to prevent passengers from being lost overboard.

Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit entry upon the decking over the bow or stern of the motorboat for the purpose of anchoring, mooring, or casting off or some other necessary purpose nor to prohibit customary practices while lawfully engaged in commercial fishing under the provisions of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code or hunting and trapping under the provisions of the Wildlife Code.

The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the driver of the boat, a person while fishing or to a person on private property.

(Source: P.A. 90-412, eff. 1-1-98.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-22)

Sec. 5-22. Operation of watercraft upon the approach of an authorized emergency watercraft.

(a) As used in this Section, "authorized emergency watercraft" includes any watercraft operated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Police, the Illinois State Police, a county sheriff, a local law enforcement agency, a fire department, a provider of emergency medical services, or the United States Coast Guard, equipped with alternately flashing red, blue, red and white, red and blue, or red in combination with white or blue lights, while engaged in official duties. Any authorized emergency watercraft must be clearly emblazoned with markings identifying it as a watercraft operated by the qualifying agency.

(b) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency watercraft making use of rotating or flashing visual signals and lawfully making use of a visual signal, the operator of every other watercraft shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately reduce the speed of the watercraft, so as not to create a wake, and shall yield way to the emergency watercraft, moving to the right to permit the safe passage of the emergency watercraft, and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency watercraft has passed, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.

(c) Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency watercraft, when the authorized emergency watercraft is giving a signal by displaying rotating or alternately flashing red, blue, red and white, red and blue, or red in combination with white or blue lights, a person operating an approaching watercraft shall proceed with due caution at no-wake speed and yield the right-of-way by moving safely away from that authorized emergency watercraft, proceeding with due caution at a no-wake speed with due regard to safety and water conditions, maintaining no-wake speed until sufficiently away from the emergency watercraft so as not to create a wake that would otherwise rock or otherwise disturb the authorized emergency watercraft.

(d) This Section shall not operate to relieve the operator of an authorized emergency watercraft from the duty to operate that watercraft with due regard for the safety of all persons using the waterway.

(e) A person who violates this Section commits a business offense punishable by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $10,000. It is a factor in aggravation if the person committed the offense while in violation of Section 5-16 of this Act.

(f) If a violation of this Section results in damage to the property of another person, in addition to any other penalty imposed, the person's watercraft operating privileges shall be suspended for a fixed period of not less than 90 days and not more than one year.

(g) If a violation of this Section results in injury to another person, in addition to any other penalty imposed, the person's watercraft operating privileges shall be suspended for a fixed period of not less than 180 days and not more than 2 years.

(h) If a violation of subsection (c) of this Section results in great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to, or the death of, another person, in addition to any other penalty imposed, the person's watercraft operating privileges shall be suspended for 2 years.

(i) The Department of Natural Resources shall, upon receiving a record of a judgment entered against a person under this Section:

(1) suspend the person's watercraft operating privileges for the mandatory period; or

(2) extend the period of an existing suspension by the appropriate mandatory period.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(625 ILCS 45/5-23)

Sec. 5-23. Transportation of aquatic plants and animals; placement of objects in navigable waters.

(a) No person may place or operate a vehicle, seaplane, watercraft, or other object of any kind in waters of this State if it has any aquatic plants or aquatic animals attached to the exterior of the vehicle, seaplane, watercraft, or other object. This Section does not require a person to remove aquatic plants or aquatic animals from a vehicle, seaplane, watercraft, or other object during the period of time when the vehicle, seaplane, watercraft, or other object is being operated in the same navigable body of water in which the aquatic plants or aquatic animals became attached.

(b) No person may take off with a seaplane, or transport or operate a vehicle, watercraft, or other object of any kind on a highway with aquatic plants or aquatic animals attached to the exterior of the seaplane, vehicle, watercraft, or other object.

(c) A law enforcement officer who has reason to believe that a person is in violation of this Section may order the person to:

(i) remove aquatic plants or aquatic animals from a vehicle, seaplane, watercraft, or other object of any kind before placing it in a navigable water;

(ii) remove aquatic plants or aquatic animals from a seaplane before taking off with the seaplane;

(iii) remove from, or not place in, a navigable water, a vehicle, seaplane, watercraft, or other object of any kind; or

(iv) not take off with a seaplane, or transport or operate a vehicle, watercraft, or other object of any kind on a highway.

(d) No person may refuse to obey the order of a law enforcement officer acting under subsection (c) of this Section.

(e) This Section does not prohibit a person from:

(i) transporting or operating a vehicle, seaplane, watercraft, or other object of any kind with duckweed that is incidentally attached to the exterior of the vehicle, seaplane, watercraft, or other object; or

(ii) transporting or operating commercial aquatic plant harvesting equipment that has aquatic plants or animals attached to the exterior of the equipment, if the equipment is owned or operated by a local governmental unit, is being transported or operated for the purpose of cleaning the equipment to remove aquatic plants or animals, and is being transported to or operated at a suitable location away from any body of water.

(f) The Department shall prepare a notice that contains a summary of the provisions under this Section and shall make copies of the notice available to persons required to post the notice under subsection (g) of this Section.

(g) Each owner of a public boat access site shall post and maintain the notice described in subsection (f) of this Section. For purposes of this Section, a "public boat access site" means a site that provides access to a navigable water for boats and that is open to the general public for free or for a charge or that is open only to certain groups of persons for a charge.

(Source: P.A. 97-850, eff. 1-1-13.)

(625 ILCS 45/Art. VI heading) ARTICLE VI. ACCIDENT REPORTS - OPERATOR'S RESPONSIBILITY - TRANSMITTAL OF INFORMATION

(625 ILCS 45/6-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 316-1)

Sec. 6-1. Collisions, accidents, and casualties; reports.

A. The operator of a vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, so far as he can without serious danger to his own vessel, crew, passengers and guests, if any, shall render to other persons affected by the collision, accident, or other casualty assistance as may be practicable and as may be necessary in order to save them from or minimize any danger caused by the collision, accident, or other casualty, and also shall give his name, address, and identification of his vessel to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the collision, accident, or other casualty.

If the collision, accident, or other casualty has resulted in the death of or personal injury to any person, failure to comply with this subsection A is a Class A misdemeanor.

A-1. Any person who has failed to stop or to comply with the requirements of subsection A must, as soon as possible but in no case later than one hour after the collision, accident, or other casualty, or, if hospitalized and incapacitated from reporting at any time during that period, as soon as possible but in no case later than one hour after being discharged from the hospital, report the date, place, and approximate time of the collision, accident, or other casualty, the watercraft operator's name and address, the identification number of the watercraft, if any, and the names of all other occupants of the watercraft, at a police station or sheriff's office near the location where the collision, accident, or other casualty occurred. A report made as required under this subsection A-1 may not be used, directly or indirectly, as a basis for the prosecution of any violation of subsection A.

As used in this Section, personal injury means any injury requiring treatment beyond first aid.

Any person failing to comply with this subsection A-1 is guilty of a Class 4 felony if the collision, accident, or other casualty does not result in the death of any person. Any person failing to comply with this subsection A-1 when the collision, accident, or other casualty results in the death of any person is guilty of a Class 2 felony, for which the person, if sentenced to a term of imprisonment, shall be sentenced to a term of not less than 3 years and not more than 14 years.

B. In the case of collision, accident, or other casualty involving a vessel, the operator, if the collision, accident, or other casualty results in death or injury to a person or damage to property in excess of $2000, or there is a complete loss of the vessel, shall file with the Department a full description of the collision, accident, or other casualty, including information as the Department may by regulation require. Reports of the accidents must be filed with the Department on a Department Accident Report form within 5 days.

C. Reports of accidents resulting in personal injury, where a person sustains an injury requiring medical attention beyond first aid, must be filed with the Department on a Department Accident Report form within 5 days. Accidents that result in loss of life shall be reported to the Department on a Department form within 48 hours.

D. All required accident reports and supplemental reports are without prejudice to the individual reporting, and are for the confidential use of the Department, except that the Department may disclose the identity of a person involved in an accident when the identity is not otherwise known or when the person denies his presence at the accident. No report to the Department may be used as evidence in any trial, civil or criminal, arising out of an accident, except that the Department must furnish upon demand of any person who has or claims to have made a report or upon demand of any court a certificate showing that a specified accident report has or has not been made to the Department solely to prove a compliance or a failure to comply with the requirements that a report be made to the Department.

E. (1) Every coroner or medical examiner shall on or before the 10th day of each month report in writing to the Department the circumstances surrounding the death of any person that has occurred as the result of a boating accident within the examiner's jurisdiction during the preceding calendar month.

(2) Within 6 hours after a death resulting from a boating accident, but in any case not more than 12 hours after the occurrence of the boating accident, a blood specimen of at least 10 cc shall be withdrawn from the body of the decedent by the coroner or medical examiner or by a qualified person at the direction of the physician. All morticians shall obtain a release from the coroner or medical examiner prior to proceeding with embalming any body coming under the scope of this Section. The blood so drawn shall be forwarded to a laboratory approved by the Illinois State Police for analysis of the alcoholic content of the blood specimen. The coroner or medical examiner causing the blood to be withdrawn shall be notified of the results of each analysis made and shall forward the results of each analysis to the Department. The Department shall keep a record of all examinations to be used for statistical purposes only. The cumulative results of the examinations, without identifying the individuals involved, shall be disseminated and made public by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(625 ILCS 45/6-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 316-2)

Sec. 6-2. Operator's responsibility. The operator of a watercraft is liable for any injury or damage occasioned by the negligent operation of such watercraft, whether such negligence consists of a violation of the provisions of the Statutes of this State, or in the failure to observe such ordinary care in such operation as the rules of the common law require.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/6-3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 316-3)

Sec. 6-3. Transmittal of information. In accordance with any request duly made by an authorized official or agency of the United States, any information compiled or otherwise available to the Department pursuant to subsection (B) of Section 6-1 shall be transmitted to such official or agency of the United States.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/Art. VII heading) ARTICLE VII. BUSINESS OF BOAT RENTAL SERVICE

(625 ILCS 45/7-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-1)

Sec. 7-1. On and after March 1, 1960 it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of operating a boat or boats carrying passengers for hire, or renting a boat or boats for hire without first having obtained a license so to do from the Department. Such license shall be renewable each year on March 1st, shall be good only for one year or portion of a year to March 1st, and it shall be unlawful for such person to so engage in such business without having a valid license currently then in force.

(Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-2)

Sec. 7-2. License fee. The fee for a license to operate a boat for carrying passengers for hire shall be $50 for each boat. The fee for a license for engaging in the business of renting boats for hire shall be $30, plus an annual fee for each boat rented or offered for rent of $1 for each boat less than 16 feet in length; $2 for each boat 16 feet or over and less than 26 feet in length; and $8 for each boat 26 feet or over in length. No boat shall, after March 1, 1960, be rented or offered for rent until such license has been granted and the boat marked as hereinafter provided.

(Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-3)

Sec. 7-3. Rules and regulations. The Department is hereby empowered, and it shall be their duty, to prescribe methods of inspection to determine the weight capacity for each boat carrying passengers for hire, or for rent, and to satisfy the Department that such boat is of a suitable structure for the service in which it is to be employed, and is in a condition to warrant the belief that it may be used in navigation with safety to life and property.

(Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-4) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-4)

Sec. 7-4. In order to authorize the maximum number of pounds of weight for boats less than 16 feet in length, the Department shall have their cubic foot capacity accurately determined, divide this number by twelve, and multiply the quotient by 150 pounds. The Department shall determine the basis for computing the weight capacity of boats 16 feet or over and less than 45 feet in length.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-5) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-5)

Sec. 7-5. It shall be the duty of the Department to see that all of such boats comply with the standards prescribed in this Act and the rules and regulations of the Department.

(Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-6) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-6)

Sec. 7-6. Whenever, it shall be found that any boat does not comply with the standards of this Act and the rules and regulations of the Department, it shall thereupon be the duty of the Department to notify the owner, proprietor or agent in charge of any such boat, the respect in which the boat fails to comply, and to demand that such defective conditions be rectified prior to further use of such boat.

(Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-7) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-7)

Sec. 7-7. The Department shall furnish to the licensee an appropriate license which shall be prominently displayed in his place of business, or upon the boat if only one boat is involved. In addition to said license the Department shall also furnish to such licensee a durable tag or disc for each boat so licensed with such markings as the Department shall deem necessary, which tag or disc must be affixed to some prominent place at the bow of said boat plainly visible to the public. The licensee shall also cause to be painted on the after quarter of the boat the number of pounds of weight authorized to be carried therein, and no licensee or his agent shall knowingly permit more than that number of pounds of weight or number of persons to occupy said boat at any one given time.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-8) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-8)

Sec. 7-8. Equipment. Neither the owner of a boat livery, nor his agent or employee shall permit any watercraft to depart from his premises unless it has been provided, either by owner or renter, with the equipment required pursuant to Article IV of this Act and any rules and regulations made pursuant thereto.

(Source: P.A. 87-198.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-9) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-9)

Sec. 7-9. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of a boat livery, or his agent or employee, to determine that all watercraft are properly registered as required pursuant to Article III of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 86-1340; 87-198.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-10) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-10)

Sec. 7-10. Unlawful rental of personal watercraft or specialty prop-craft.

(a) A livery shall not lease, hire or rent a personal watercraft or a specialty prop-craft to, or for operation by, any person who is under 16 years of age.

(b) Any person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 90-412, eff. 1-1-98.)

(625 ILCS 45/Art. VIII heading) ARTICLE VIII. LOCAL REGULATION

(625 ILCS 45/8-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 318-1)

Sec. 8-1. Local ordinances. The provisions of this Act, and of other applicable laws of this State shall govern the operation, equipment, numbering and all other matters relating thereto whenever any vessel shall be operated on the waters of this State, or when any activity regulated by this Act shall take place thereon; but nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent the adoption of any ordinance or local law by any political subdivision of the State relating to operation and equipment of vessels the provisions of which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, amendments thereto or regulations issued thereunder: Provided, that such ordinances or local laws shall be operative only so long as and to the extent that they continue to be not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, amendments thereto or regulations issued thereunder.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/8-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 318-2)

Sec. 8-2. Special rules - Application. Any subdivision of this State may, at any time, but only after public notice, make formal application to the Department for special rules and regulations with reference to the operation of vessels on any waters within its territorial limits and shall set forth therein the reasons which make such special rules or regulations necessary or appropriate.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/8-3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 318-3)

Sec. 8-3. Special rules - Power. The Department is hereby authorized to make special rules and regulations with reference to the operation of vessels on any waters within the territorial limits of any subdivision of this State.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/Art. IX heading) ARTICLE IX. FILING OF REGULATIONS

(625 ILCS 45/9-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 319-1)

Sec. 9-1. Rules and regulations, filing. The implementation and administration of the provisions of this Act shall be by rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Natural Resources. A copy of the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this Act, and of any amendments thereto, shall be filed in the office of the Department and in the office of the Secretary of State. Rules and regulations shall be published by the Department in a convenient form.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/Art. X heading) ARTICLE X. THE STATE BOATING ACT FUND

(625 ILCS 45/10-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 320-1)

Sec. 10-1. Special fund. All revenue received under the provisions of this Act, including registration fees, fines, or other income of any kind or nature, shall be deposited in the State Treasury and shall be set apart in a special fund to be known as the State Boating Act Fund, except that revenue from fines resulting from citations written by a county sheriff or his deputy shall be deposited in a county fund in the county where the citation was written. Appropriations from the State Boating Act Fund, excepting those revenues received as a result of the Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act, shall be made to the Department, and shall be used for the expenses of the Department in administering the registration, boat safety, boat safety education, and enforcement provisions of this Act or for any purpose related or incident thereto and connected therewith, including the construction and improvement of boating facilities, such as access areas, launching sites, harbor facilities, lakes, and marinas, including plans and specifications, engineering surveys, and supervision and land acquisition where necessary. In addition to the foregoing, appropriations from the State Boating Act Fund, other than revenues received as a result of the Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act, may be made to the Department of Natural Resources to pay operational expenses for recreational boating facilities at McHenry Lock and Dam in McHenry County and Sinnissippi Dam in Whiteside County.

(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(625 ILCS 45/10-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 320-2)

Sec. 10-2. Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act Revenues. All revenue received under the provisions of the "Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act", including registration fees, fines, or other income of whatsoever kind or nature, shall be deposited in the State Treasury in "The State Boating Act Fund". Appropriations of such revenue shall be made only to the Department for administering the registration of snowmobiles, snowmobile safety, snowmobile safety education and enforcement provisions of the "Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act" or for any purpose related or connected thereto, including the construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of snowmobile recreation areas or any other facilities for the use of snowmobiles, including plans and specifications, engineering surveys and supervision and land acquisition where necessary.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/Art. XIA heading) ARTICLE XIA. PENALTIES

(625 ILCS 45/11A-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 321A-1)

Sec. 11A-1. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act shall be guilty of a petty offense.

(Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/11A-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 321A-2)

Sec. 11A-2. A. Any person who violates Section 3-11, 3A-3, 3A-13, 3A-14, or 3A-20 is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

B. Any person who violates Section 3A-21 is guilty of a Class 2 felony.

(Source: P.A. 98-102, eff. 7-22-13.)

(625 ILCS 45/11A-3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 321A-3)

Sec. 11A-3. Any person who violates any of the provisions of Section 5-1, 7-1, or 7-8 of this Act is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

Any person who violates Section 5-2 of this Act is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, except that aggravated reckless operation of a watercraft is a Class 4 felony.

(Source: P.A. 98-102, eff. 7-22-13.)

(625 ILCS 45/11A-4) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 321A-4)

Sec. 11A-4. Any person who is convicted of a violation of Sections 5-1 or 11A-5 of this Act, in addition to any other penalties authorized in this Act, may in the discretion of the court be refused the privilege of operating any watercraft on any of the waterways of this State for a period of not less than one year.

Any person who is convicted of a violation of Section 5-2 of this Act or subsection A-1 of Section 6-1 of this Act, in addition to any other penalties authorized in this Act, shall have his or her privilege of operating any watercraft on any of the waterways of this State suspended by the Department for a period of not less than one year.

(Source: P.A. 93-782, eff. 1-1-05.)

(625 ILCS 45/11A-5) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 321A-5)

Sec. 11A-5. A person may not operate a watercraft during any period when his or her privilege to operate a watercraft is suspended or revoked in this State, by another state, by a federal agency, or by a province of Canada. Any person who operates any watercraft during the period when he is denied the privilege to so operate is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense.

(Source: P.A. 93-782, eff. 1-1-05; 94-214, eff. 1-1-06.)

(625 ILCS 45/11A-6) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 321A-6)

Sec. 11A-6. Any person who violates any provision of Section 2-4 is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/Art. XII heading) ARTICLE XII. PARTIAL INVALIDITY

(625 ILCS 45/12-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 322-1)

Sec. 12-1. If any provision of this Act, or the application of such provision to any persons, body or circumstances shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Act, or the application of such provision to persons, bodies or circumstances other than those as to which it shall have been held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/Art. XIII heading) ARTICLE XIII. EFFECTIVE DATE

(625 ILCS 45/13-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 323-1)

Sec. 13-1. This Act shall take effect on March 1, 1960.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)