A press release from State Senator Pam Althoff:

As summer fun begins on the lakes and rivers in Illinois, State Senator Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry) would like to remind boaters that there are new laws and regulations regarding watercraft safety.

As a member of the Senate Special Committee on Watercraft Safety, Sen. Althoff has sponsored a series of safety initiatives over the last two years that seek to reduce the number of preventable accidents on Illinois waterways.

The following is a list of legislative measures that Sen. Althoff has sponsored that have become law:

2014:

Boating Regulations (SB 3433/PA 98-0698): Provides for, new boating certification requirements, beginning Jan. 1, 2016, including restrictions on persons younger than 18 operating a motorboat.

Watercraft Towing (SB 2731/PA 98-0697): Requires that any watercraft towing a person must display at the highest point of the area surrounding the boat’s helm, a bright or brilliant orange flag visible from all directions, continuously, from the time the person gets out of the boat until they get back into the boat.

2013:

A Wonder Lake boater.

Drunk Boating (SB 1479/PA 98-0103): Applies implied consent laws to boating by providing that any person who operates a motorboat and who has been involved in a fatal accident or accident with serious injuries is assumed to have given consent for a blood alcohol test.

Boating Violations (SB 1310/PA 98-0102): Clarifies and updates a number of boat rental violations. This was requested by the Department of Natural Resources, which has found it difficult to force some boat renters to comply with state law because of weak penalties.

For a complete list of 2015 Illinois boating laws and regulations please refer to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Boat Registration & Safety Act Info