(625 ILCS 45/Art. VII heading)

(625 ILCS 45/7-1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-1) Sec. 7-1. On and after March 1, 1960 it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of operating a boat or boats carrying passengers for hire, or renting a boat or boats for hire without first having obtained a license so to do from the Department. Such license shall be renewable each year on March 1st, shall be good only for one year or portion of a year to March 1st, and it shall be unlawful for such person to so engage in such business without having a valid license currently then in force. (Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-2) Sec. 7-2. License fee. The fee for a license to operate a boat for carrying passengers for hire shall be $50 for each boat. The fee for a license for engaging in the business of renting boats for hire shall be $30, plus an annual fee for each boat rented or offered for rent of $1 for each boat less than 16 feet in length; $2 for each boat 16 feet or over and less than 26 feet in length; and $8 for each boat 26 feet or over in length. No boat shall, after March 1, 1960, be rented or offered for rent until such license has been granted and the boat marked as hereinafter provided. (Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-3) Sec. 7-3. Rules and regulations. The Department is hereby empowered, and it shall be their duty, to prescribe methods of inspection to determine the weight capacity for each boat carrying passengers for hire, or for rent, and to satisfy the Department that such boat is of a suitable structure for the service in which it is to be employed, and is in a condition to warrant the belief that it may be used in navigation with safety to life and property. (Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-4) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-4) Sec. 7-4. In order to authorize the maximum number of pounds of weight for boats less than 16 feet in length, the Department shall have their cubic foot capacity accurately determined, divide this number by twelve, and multiply the quotient by 150 pounds. The Department shall determine the basis for computing the weight capacity of boats 16 feet or over and less than 45 feet in length. (Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-5) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-5) Sec. 7-5. It shall be the duty of the Department to see that all of such boats comply with the standards prescribed in this Act and the rules and regulations of the Department. (Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-6) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-6) Sec. 7-6. Whenever, it shall be found that any boat does not comply with the standards of this Act and the rules and regulations of the Department, it shall thereupon be the duty of the Department to notify the owner, proprietor or agent in charge of any such boat, the respect in which the boat fails to comply, and to demand that such defective conditions be rectified prior to further use of such boat. (Source: P.A. 85-149.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-7) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-7) Sec. 7-7. The Department shall furnish to the licensee an appropriate license which shall be prominently displayed in his place of business, or upon the boat if only one boat is involved. In addition to said license the Department shall also furnish to such licensee a durable tag or disc for each boat so licensed with such markings as the Department shall deem necessary, which tag or disc must be affixed to some prominent place at the bow of said boat plainly visible to the public. The licensee shall also cause to be painted on the after quarter of the boat the number of pounds of weight authorized to be carried therein, and no licensee or his agent shall knowingly permit more than that number of pounds of weight or number of persons to occupy said boat at any one given time. (Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-8) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-8) Sec. 7-8. Equipment. Neither the owner of a boat livery, nor his agent or employee shall permit any watercraft to depart from his premises unless it has been provided, either by owner or renter, with the equipment required pursuant to Article IV of this Act and any rules and regulations made pursuant thereto. (Source: P.A. 87-198.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-9) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-9) Sec. 7-9. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of a boat livery, or his agent or employee, to determine that all watercraft are properly registered as required pursuant to Article III of this Act. (Source: P.A. 86-1340; 87-198.)

(625 ILCS 45/7-10) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 317-10) Sec. 7-10. Unlawful rental of personal watercraft or specialty prop-craft. (a) A livery shall not lease, hire or rent a personal watercraft or a specialty prop-craft to, or for operation by, any person who is under 16 years of age. (b) Any person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. (Source: P.A. 90-412, eff. 1-1-98.)