Chapter 625 — VEHICLES

(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 w…

(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 otherwi…

(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…

(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…

(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 repr…

(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 wa…

(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 sh…

(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 …

(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 …

(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…

(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 …

(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 b…

(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 o…

(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 …

(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 …

(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-conduc…

(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" means an emergency switch installed on a motorboat that: (1) is designed to shut off the engine if: (A) the motorboat operator using a lanyard …

(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 condit…

(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 o…

(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 p…

(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 having an audible distance as set for…

(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 acce…

(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. (Sou…

(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 remov…

(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 si…

(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:…

(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 …

(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.…

(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 waterc…

(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 capacit…

(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 …

(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) …

(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…

(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 urin…

(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, pr…

(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 acciden…

(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 unifo…

(625 ILCS 45/5-18) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 315-13) (Text of Section from P.A. 104-132) 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 …

(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 …

(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…

(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 …

(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 Stat…

(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 an…

(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…

(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 p…

(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 disabil…

(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 co…

(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 Depar…

(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 a…