Hearing on Boat Safety Bills to be Held in Libertyville

The below information came from a press release from Sen. Pam Althoff. 

Sen. Pamela Althoff, R-McHenry, is encouraging local residents interested in watercraft safety to attend a public hearing scheduled for Aug. 29 to obtain input on three boating safety measures sponsored by Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Deerfield. 

The meeting, to be held at the Lake County Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester in Libertyville, will discuss the proposals then give opponents and proponents the opportunity to testify and share their opinions. 

The three measures – Senate Bills 1477, 1478, and 1805 – were assigned to the Special Committee on Watercraft Safety in the Senate. 

• Senate Bill 1477 would suspend the driver’s license for three months of any person who is found to have operated a watercraft under the influence. 
• Senate Bill 1478 would prohibit anyone born on or after January 1, 1990 from operating a watercraft without a valid Boating Safety Certificate issued by the Department of Natural Resources.  
• Senate Bill 1805 would require operators of a watercraft towing a person or persons to display a red or orange flag on their watercraft.  

Althoff, who is a member on the Special Committee, is urging those with a vested interest either for or against the proposals to attend the meeting and voice their opinions.  

Althoff said that if anyone wishes to testify for or against the three legislative measures, they must call Senator Morrison’s district office at 847-945-5200 to be placed on a list of speakers at the meeting. 

Additionally, Althoff said there is the potential for this to be the first in a series of similar public hearings on these legislative proposals. For more information, call Althoff’s district office at 815-455-6330.

There is more information posted on Althoff's website.