Help Protect Public Access to Illinois Rivers

We need your help to urge the Illinois House of Representatives to pass a crucial bill introduced in the Spring 2025 legislative session that will protect public access to Illinois' rivers and streams, HB 1873. For years, a misinterpretation of Illinois water law has severely restricted paddlers’ rights. Under a flawed interpretation of the Illinois Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act, 98% of Illinois rivers have been deemed “non-navigable” and are the property of the landowner that owns the land along that section of the river’s banks.  

With our partners at the Illinois Paddling Council, Friends of the Chicago River supports HB 1873, introduced by Rep. Janet Yang-Rohr (D– Naperville), which will clarify that all rivers and streams are accessible to paddlers statewide, ensuring that canoeists, kayakers, and paddleboarders can explore Illinois’ waterways without fear of trespassing. While most of the Chicago-Calumet River system is classified as navigable, some stretches of the North Branch and waterways in Lake County remain undesignated. This bill will help protect those areas, along with our neighboring watersheds. See which rivers the Illinois Department of Natural Resources currently designates as public waterways here.

Urge your Illinois House Representative to co-sponsor HB 1873. We recommend using the script below:

"Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent in your district at [Your Address] in [Your City]. I am a [kayaker/canoeist/paddleboarder] who regularly paddles the [Local River(s), especially ones in your representative’s district]. However, due to a restrictive interpretation of state law, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has deemed many rivers to be private property—limiting public access despite federal law that supports navigation rights. This session, Rep. Janet Yang-Rohr introduced HB 1873 to amend the Illinois Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act—ensuring paddlers can legally access Illinois rivers without fear of trespassing. Will you support this effort by co-sponsoring HB 1873 to protect public access to Illinois waterways?"

Your voice matters. Contact your representative today and help make Illinois' rivers open and accessible to all paddlers.