Looking to spend Memorial Day weekend out on the lake with your friends and family?
If so, it’s worth brushing up on Illinois’ alcohol and boating laws.
Here’s what the law says about drinking on the water.
Is it legal to drink on a boat in Illinois?
Illinois law prohibits the operation of boats or vessels while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.
Under 625 ILCS 45/5-16, a person is considered to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs if:
Can you be drug tested by law enforcement while boating?
Yes; those operating a boat or vessel on public Illinois waters have given “implied consent” to alcohol or drug testing if arrested while under the influence.
What is the penalty for drinking while boating in Illinois?
A first-time conviction of boating while under the influence is considered a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by imprisonment for up to one year and a fine of up to $2,500.
If someone is seriously injured, if the driver operated the boat with a suspended license or if the operator had a previous conviction, the charges can be elevated to a Class 4 felony. This is punishable by one to three years in prison and fines of up to $25,000.
Charges increase to a Class 2 felony if a person is killed by someone boating under the influence. The punishment for this is three to seven years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
How common are drug- and alcohol-related boating accidents in Illinois?
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reported 70 boating accidents and 72 people arrested for boating under the influence in Illinois in 2023.
Two fatalities were reported as a result of the accidents.
CONTRIBUTING: Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Can you legally drink on a boat in Illinois? What the law says
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
