ORDINANCE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
SECTION 1. Section 10-40-260 ofthe Municipal Code of Chicago is hereby amended by inserting the language underscored and deleting the language stricken through as follows:
10-40-260 Operation restrictions.
No person shall operate, or authorize or knowingly permit the operation of, a vessel upon the waters of Lake Michigan or upon any waterway within the city:
(Omitted text is unaffected by this ordinance)
(j) unless each occupant of a vessel used for recreational purposes is wearing an approved personal flotation device as defined in the Boat Registration and Safety Act, codified at 625 ILCS 45/1-1 et seq., as amended. Provided, however, that this requirement shall not apply to persons who are (1) below deck, or (2) in a totally enclosed cabin space. Provided, further, that this requirement shall not apply to the occupants of (i) any commercial passenger vessel licensed under Chapter 4-250 of this Code, (ii) any vessel used for recreational purposes that is being operated on private property, (iii) any vessel used for recreational purposes that is docked, or (iv.) any vessel used for recreational purposes that is 21 feet or more in length. For purposes of this subsection (j), the term "vessel used for recreational purposes" means any watercraft, sailboat, recreational boat, personal watercraft or specialty prop-craft as defined in the Boat Registration and Safety Act, as amended^or
(k) unless each vessel is equipped with a functioning Marine VHF radio. The lessor of a recreational boat, as that term is defined in the Boat Registration and Safety Act, as amended, shall be responsible for equipping each vessel with a functioning Marine VHF radio as required under this subsection (k).
Any person who shall violate any provision of this section shall be fined not less than $100.00 nor more than $1,500.00, or imprisoned for not less than ten days nor more than six months, or both, for each offens...
Click here for full text