All states have laws against boating under the influence (BUI), which make it a crime to operate a boat or watercraft on a public waterway while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
In Illinois, operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal, similar to driving a vehicle while impaired. The state's Boat Registration and Safety Act prohibits operating a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or intoxicating compounds. A person is considered to be under the influence if they have a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more, are under the influence of alcohol, or are impaired by drugs to a degree that renders them incapable of safely operating a watercraft. Penalties for boating under the influence (BUI) in Illinois can include fines, imprisonment, and the suspension or revocation of boating privileges. Additionally, Illinois law requires chemical testing for alcohol and drugs for operators involved in a boating accident or arrested for BUI, and refusal to submit to testing can result in suspended boating privileges.