IL SB1310

Water skiers, tubers, parasailers, and other persons towed behind motorboats must be counted as part of the total number of passengers and cargo when determining a watercraft's carrying capacity.

Authorized emergency watercraft now include those operated by emergency medical service providers and may display blue, red and white, red and blue, or red in combination with white or blue lights.

Operators must yield to authorized emergency watercraft displaying flashing lights by reducing speed to no-wake speed and moving safely away; violations result in fines of $100-$10,000 and potential suspension of watercraft operating privileges.

Violations resulting in property damage carry mandatory suspension of watercraft operating privileges for 90 days to one year; violations causing injury require 180 days to 2 years suspension; violations causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, disfigurement, or death require 2-year suspension.

Violations of Section 3-11, 3A-3, 3A-13, 3A-14, or 3A-20 are Class A misdemeanors; violations of Sections 5-1, 7-1, and 7-8 are Class B misdemeanors.