HB 4279-DNR-RECREATIONAL BOAT FUNDING - Illinois 100th General Assembly

House Sponsors
Rep. Jerry Costello, II

Filed: HB 4279 on 1/18/2018

Synopsis As Introduced:Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources has the authority to accept, receive, and administer on behalf of the State, federal grant funds associated with the development or preservation of recreational boating infrastructure on this State's waterways and distribute those funds as prescribed by the appropriate federal agency. Provides that funds received by the Department shall be deposited into the Natural Resources Federal Boating Infrastructure Grant Dollars Fund and used for these purposes. Makes conforming changes in the State Finance Act.

Last Actions:

• 1/18/2018 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Jerry Costello, II
• 1/19/2018 House First Reading
• 1/19/2018 House Referred to Rules Committee
• 2/5/2018 House Assigned to Revenue & Finance Committee
• 2/14/2018 House To Growth, Reform & Fairness Subcommittee
• 3/1/2018 House Recommends Do Pass Subcommittee/ Revenue & Finance Committee; 004-000-000
• 3/1/2018 House Reported Back To Revenue & Finance Committee;
• 3/1/2018 House Do Pass / Short Debate Revenue & Finance Committee; 008-000-000
• 3/1/2018 House Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
• 3/6/2018 House Second Reading - Short Debate
• 3/6/2018 House Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
• 3/7/2018 House Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 106-000-000
• 3/7/2018 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jerry Lee Long
• 3/7/2018 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Christian L. Mitchell
• 3/7/2018 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. David A. Welter
• 3/9/2018 Senate Arrive in Senate
• 3/9/2018 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading
• 3/9/2018 Senate Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Chris Nybo
• 3/9/2018 Senate First Reading
• 3/9/2018 Senate Referred to Assignments

Tracker Releases New boat for 40th Anniversary

If you have a Facebook account it was hard not to see the sponsored ads by Tracker Boats for their 40th Anniversary boat. Each day they had a new post dropping the price a little each day until December 15th.  On that day they revealed the final price, along with the specs and what the boat included.  In front of a large crowd legend Johnny Morris, Bill Dance, Roland Martin and Jimmy Houston revealed the 40th Heritage Edition Tracker Boat.

Tracker Boats' staple to fame is to have an angler be able to purchase a boat with an electronic, a trolling motor and outboard at an easy to afford price.  Johnny Morris along with the team at Tracker Boats did just that!  For $9,995 including the trailer, this unique retro looking boat will have anglers across the country hitting the water in no time.  Coming with a 40 hp four stroke Mercury engine, a 12 volt 45 lb thrust MinnKota trolling motor and so much more, this boat is priced for anyone to enjoy some time on the water.  If you are a new angler or looking to get to onto some of those smaller waters here in Illinois then you really need to look at this boat!

Picture provided by HeritageBoat.com

William G Stratton Lock and Dam Resumes Full Time Operations

Fish, or boat on the Fox River?  This is for you!  The released the follwoing press release regarding opperations of the Stratton Lock and Dam on Fox River.  Please share and spread the word with those who boat or fish on the Fox River.

IDNR Announces Seven-Day Operating Schedule at Stratton Lock Resumes June 28

MCHENRY, IL - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has announced that the William G. Stratton Lock and Dam on the Fox River in McHenry will resume full-time daily operations for the remainder of the 2017 boating season beginning June 28. 

From June 28 through September 30, the Stratton lock tenders will operate the facility seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. until midnight. From October 1-31, operating hours will be 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. daily. The lock is closed for the season each year from November 1 through April 30.

Since the 2017 boating season lock operations began on May 3, Stratton lock hours have been 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sunday and holidays; 10:00 a.m. until midnight on Thursday through Saturday; and, closed each Monday and Tuesday.

Reminders to Boaters from the IDNR - Wear PFD and Stay Sober

With summer just around the corner the IDNR is reminding boaters to stay sober on the water and wear them life jackets.  Regardless, if you take your buddies out on a bass boat or your family on a pantoon boat, you are a part of the club.  We may not have a special wave like the motorcyclist but we do wave and watch out for each other.  If you're going to be drinking let someone else drive.  It's not worth risking a OUI, or worse.  As for life jackets, I'll let this video do the talking.  Below you'll find a press release from the IDNR with some of the rules and regulations while boating in Illinois.  

Stay Sober, Wear Life Jackets While Boating in Illinois

National Safe Boating Week is May 20-26

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois Conservation Police officers are reminding boaters that safety on the water in Illinois starts with boat operators staying sober and all boaters wearing life jackets. Illinois’ busiest boating season is about to begin, and waterway safety reminders are part of the observance of National Safe Boating Week, May 20-26.

“It takes only a few seconds to fasten a life jacket, and wearing a life jacket can save your life,” said Illinois Conservation Police Chief Rafael Gutierrez. “In addition, just like driving a car or truck, staying sober while operating a boat is the law in Illinois.”

Statistics compiled by the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement show that there were 73 boating-related accidents in Illinois in 2016 resulting in 36 injuries and 11 fatalities. The number of boating-related accidents last year was below the five-year average, and compares with 74 accidents with 49 injuries and 14 fatalities in 2015. (Annual boating accident statistics are compiled based on the Federal Fiscal Year of October 1 through September 30).

In enforcing Illinois boating laws, Conservation Police officers (CPOs) in 2016 issued 1,721 citations and 5,258 warnings. CPOs made 147 arrests for boaters operating under the influence (OUI) in 2016.

IDNR statistics indicate that eight of the 11 people who died in boating accidents last year may have survived if they had worn a life jacket or other personal flotation device (PFD); three of the 11 boating-related fatalities involved alcohol or drug impairment.

Illinois law requires that properly-fitting PFDs – life jackets or life vests – be available for each person aboard a boat or other watercraft. State law also requires that anyone under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket while aboard any watercraft under 26 feet in length at all times the boat is underway, unless they are below deck in an enclosed cabin or operating on private property. Illinois law also requires persons of any age to wear a PFD while operating a personal watercraft or Jet Ski.
The IDNR offers free boating safety courses providing a review of boating laws and regulations and instruction on safe and attentive operation of watercraft. The IDNR encourages boaters of all ages to take a safety course. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1998 must pass a course and have a valid Boating Safety Certificate to operate a motorboat (with over 10 horsepower); and, state law requires boating safety education for persons ages 12 to 17 to operate a motorboat.

The free safety courses taught by volunteer instructors are available throughout Illinois, and schedules are available by checking the IDNR website’s boating information page at

https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/safety/Pages/BoatingSafety.aspx

For a fee, online boating safety courses are also available.

There were 248,948 registered boats in Illinois in 2016, and the IDNR issued 58,067 annual Water Usage Stamps, which are required for non-powered watercraft.

To review a copy of the latest edition of the Illinois DNR Boating Report, compiled by the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement, go to the IDNR website.

https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/safety/Documents/BoatingAccidentReport2016.pdf

National Safe Boating Week is observed each year during the week prior to the Memorial Day holiday weekend. For more information on the national safe boating campaign, go to the website at www.safeboatingcampaign.com.

https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/safety/Documents/BoatingAccidentReport2016.pdf

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

Illinois Bait Shop - Illinois Valley Outdoors

Illinois Valley Outdoors

Illinois Bait Shop - Illinois Valley Outdoors

As we pulled into the parking lot we saw some gentlemen leaving with a minnow bucket to go hit up the local watering hole.  Inside Illinois Valley Outdoors, located close to the Illinois River, we were greeted with a big 'how you doing' from the owner Joe Troha.

Capitol Outdooors' Adventure on Lake Springfield

Capitol Outdoors' Adventure on Lake Springfield

In 2014 Capitol Outdoors purchased our first aluminum boat and a whole new world opened up to us.  Over the past year we've been going to lakes with mostly trolling motor or 10 horsepower limits simply because we only had a trolling motor.  That's all about to change with our 1972, 15 horsepower Johnson on the back.

Illinois Boating Safety Rules and Regulations

Illinois Boating Safety Rules and Regulations

National Safe Boating Week is May 16-22, 2015 and Illinois Boating Safety Rules and Regulations is not something to be taken lightly.

Boating season is here and don't forget there are some new boating laws effective in Illinois.  Make sure to always check rules and regulation before going out.  Earlier this year, we took an online boating class.  It's something we recommend everyone should do.

Small Aluminum Boat Restoration Part 1

Small Aluminum Boat Restoration 

One year ago June, Capitol Outdoor purchased a boat.  I still remember the day we saw it on our way to work.  It was being sold on the side of the road and we thought that it would be fun to restore it. On the way home we stopped to take a look .  It needed a lot of work.

 We discussed it little bit that night and the next day there it was again, same spot.  For about two days, we drove by talking about how cool it would be to get off the shore and fish different parts of a lake. I was hesitant because I knew it needed some work.