IL HB1873

Establishes that any lake, river, or stream segment capable of supporting commercial or recreational watercraft for a substantial part of the year is presumed navigable and open to public use, unless proven otherwise by preponderance of evidence in litigation

Defines public uses of navigable waters to include boating, tubing, fishing, swimming, and wading, and requires the Department of Natural Resources to protect these uses against interference or encroachment

Allows persons using navigable waters to touch beds of water bodies and adjacent riparian lands as reasonably needed, but requires any portage on dry land to be made in the most direct, least invasive manner closest to the water

Prohibits anyone from interfering with or obstructing public access to navigable waters, and prohibits users from entering or exiting waterways through private property without permission from the owner or occupant

Preserves the right of any person to challenge alleged interference with public water access rights through civil or criminal litigation, independent of any action by the Department of Natural Resources