IllinoisHB1873104th General Assembly (2025–2026)House

PUBLIC ACCESS-NAVIGABLE WATERS

Sponsored By: Janet Yang Rohr (Democratic)

In Committee

Summary

Amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Provides that the public right to access and use navigable waters includes all rights recognized by State or federal law, including the rights set forth in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and the federal navigational servitude, and all rights arising under the public trust doctrine, which shall be understood and applied in a manner consistent with the spirit of the Act to maximize the full and free enjoyment of State waters by the public. Provides that any segment of a lake, river, or stream that is capable of supporting use by commercial or recreational watercraft for a substantial part of the year, or that is actually so used, shall be deemed navigable, and shall be open to public access and use, unless the contrary is proven in litigation by a preponderance of the evidence. Provides that public uses in such waters shall include boating, tubing, fishing, swimming, and wading. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to protect such public uses against interference or encroachment as provided in the Act. Provides that no action or inaction by the Department of Natural Resources shall create a presumption, in any civil or criminal litigation, against the navigability of any waterway segment. Provides that the public right to access and use navigable waters shall be subject to specified protections and limitations, a violation of which shall be punished as otherwise provided by law, and, if likely to continue, enjoined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Provides that nothing in the Act shall limit the right of any person to challenge the legality of alleged interference with the public right to access or use navigable waters in any appropriate civil or criminal litigation.

energy & environment

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Janet Yang Rohr

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Anna Moeller

    Democratic • House

  • Anne Stava

    Democratic • House

  • Daniel Didech

    Democratic • House

  • Harry Benton

    Democratic • House

  • Kelly M. Cassidy

    Democratic • House

  • Robert "Bob" Rita

    Democratic • House

  • Suzanne M. Ness

    Democratic • House

  • Terra Costa Howard

    Democratic • House

  • Will Guzzardi

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Removed Co-Sponsor Rep. Maura Hirschauer

    4/3/2025House
  2. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Maura Hirschauer

    4/3/2025House
  3. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy

    3/31/2025House
  4. Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

    3/21/2025House
  5. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Will Guzzardi

    3/7/2025House
  6. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Terra Costa Howard

    3/5/2025House
  7. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Suzanne M. Ness

    3/5/2025House
  8. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Anna Moeller

    3/5/2025House
  9. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Harry Benton

    3/5/2025House
  10. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Anne Stava

    3/5/2025House
  11. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Daniel Didech

    3/3/2025House
  12. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita

    2/26/2025House
  13. Assigned to Energy & Environment Committee

    2/25/2025House
  14. Referred to Rules Committee

    1/29/2025House
  15. First Reading

    1/29/2025House
  16. Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Janet Yang Rohr

    1/29/2025House

Bill Text

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