Sober Skippers Make Safer Waters: Avoid BUI This Summer

As summer goes along and the boating season remains in full swing, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) urges all boat operators and passengers to prioritize safety and responsible drinking while enjoying their time on the water.

Boating Under the Influence, or BUI, is prohibited in the state of Illinois. Convictions can range from misdemeanors to felonies and may result in fines, suspended privileges of watercraft, and imprisonment. It is illegal to operate a boat with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, or while under the influence of drugs.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) arrested 72 Illinois boaters for operating under the influence (OUI) in 2025. Of the 12 boating-related fatalities, seven involved alcohol or drug impairment.

“Operating any heavy equipment while under the influence is extremely dangerous, whether it's a car, a boat, or another type of vehicle. Safety must always come first”. We want all Illinoisans to enjoy summer and our waterways responsibly and safely all season long," said ILCC Executive Director Lisa Gardner.

Boat safely with the below tips from the U.S. Coast Guard:

1. Wear a life jacket.
2. Take a boating safety course.
3. Use your engine cut-off switch (ECOS) link.
4. Don’t drink and boat.
5. Register your emergency beacon.
6. Get a free vessel safety check.

About the Illinois Liquor Control Commission

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission’s mission is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Illinois through careful control and regulation of the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic liquors and through the development of strategies to reduce youth access to alcohol products and the provision of training and education on responsible beverage service.

To learn more about the ILCC and its divisions, visit ilcc.illinois.gov. To submit a tip or complaint to the ILCC’s Enforcement Division, click here.

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