THE ILLINOIS CONSERVATION POLICE IS BOOSTING ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS AS BOATING SEASON IN ILLINOIS GETS UNDERWAY. 

POLICE WILL BE OUT ON THE WATER LOOKING ESPECIALLY FOR DRUNK BOAT DRIVERS. THEY WILL ALSO PERFORM SAFETY CHECKS SAYS SPOKESPERSON RACHEL TORBERT.

TORBERT SAYS BOATS ALSO NEED TO BE EQUIPPED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, FLARES, WORKING HORN AND NAVIGATION LIGHTS AS WELL AS AN ENGINE CUT OFF SWITCH AS REQUIRED BY A NEW FEDERAL LAW.

TORBERT SAYS KIDS UNDER 13 MUST WEAR A LIFEJACKET WHENEVER THE BOAT IS UNDERWAY. A NEW FEDERAL LAW ALSO REQUIRES BOATS TO BE EQUIPPED WITH AN ENGINE CUT OFF SWITCH.