CHAPTER 625, ILCS 451 - BOAT REGISTRATION AND SAFETY ACT

625 ILCS 45/11A-5

Sec. 11A-5. A person may not operate a watercraft during any period when his or her privilege to operate a watercraft is suspended or revoked in this State, by another state, by a federal agency, or by a province of Canada. Any person who operates any watercraft during the period when he is denied the privilege to so operate is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 45/11A-5
Offense Description
Operating watercraft during suspension of privilege
Offense Classification
Class A Misdemeanor
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.
SAFE-T Act Pretrial Detention Eligibility (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1)
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State Driver's License Action
Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 45/11A-5 (Operating watercraft during suspension of privilege) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor. Statutory sentencing scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500. Court appearance is mandatory under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.

Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Class A Misdemeanor

Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Court Appearance Mandate Rule 551 Mandatory Court

Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Pretrial Fairness Act (SAFE-T Act) Presumptive Pretrial Release

Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

Secretary of State License Sanction Standard Administrative Protocol

No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Classification Class A Misdemeanor
Court Appearance Mandatory Court Appearance (Rule 551)
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code 8507
Search in Live Workstation ➔ Official ILGA Statute (ilga.gov) ->

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Operating watercraft during suspension of privilege Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 45/11A-5 -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 8507 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 11A-5. A person may not operate a watercraft during any period when his or her privilege to operate a watercraft is suspended or revoked in this State, by another state, by a federal agency, or by a province of Canada. Any person who operates any watercraft during the period when he is denied the privilege to so operate is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense.

(Source: P.A. 93-782, eff. 1-1-05; 94-214, eff. 1-1-06.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 45/11A-5 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 45/11A-5 (Operating watercraft during suspension of privilege) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor.

Sentencing Scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 45/11A-5 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

Mandatory Personal Appearance Required: Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Is an individual accused of 625 ILCS 45/11A-5 detainable before trial under the SAFE-T Act?

Presumptive Pretrial Release: Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 625 ILCS 45/11A-5?

Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Official Legal Citation Formats

Legal & Academic Reference

Standardized legal citations for briefs, court pleadings, law enforcement documentation, and academic research.

Illinois Supreme Court Citation 625 ILCS 45/11A-5 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 45/11A-5 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-45-11a-5
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes
625 ILCS 40/2-2

Failure to stop upon hailing by law enforcement

Petty Offense
625 ILCS 40/3-10

False/altered certificate or license

Petty Offense
625 ILCS 40/4-1

Equipment – lights, etc.

Petty Offense
625 ILCS 40/5-1

Illegal operation

Petty Offense