← Illinois boating laws›Life Jacket Rules

Illinois Life Jacket Rules (2026)

Conditional: Illinois requires an approved wearable PFD be worn by each person under age 13 on the deck of, or in an open, watercraft whenever it is underway.

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

Boating rules change at the state line — and in your state.Track them in the free LawLert iPhone app: it alerts you when you cross into a state where they differ, and when they change in your state. No account.Get the app

Official source: dnr.illinois.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Life Jacket Rules in states bordering Illinois

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

IndianaConditional
Indiana sets no state-specific child-wear age, so the federal rule applies: children under 13 must wear a PFD on a moving vessel under 26 ft; one wearable PFD required per person aboard.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: faqs.in.gov · Full Indiana rule →
IowaConditional
Under Iowa law, any child under age 13 must wear a life jacket at all times while on a vessel, including canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: iowadnr.gov · Full Iowa rule →
KentuckyConditional
Kentucky requires children under 12 years of age to wear a USCG-approved PFD at all times while underway in an open vessel or on an open deck.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: fw.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MissouriConditional
Missouri requires each person under age 7 aboard any watercraft on state waters to wear a USCG-approved PFD (exception for fully enclosed areas such as a houseboat/cruiser cabin).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: mshp.dps.missouri.gov · Full Missouri rule →
WisconsinConditional
Federal law (enforced in Wisconsin) requires children under 13 to wear a USCG-approved life jacket while underway in an open vessel.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: dnr.wisconsin.gov · Full Wisconsin rule →

Don't get caught off guardCross into a state where this law is different and the free iPhone app tells you what changed, even with the app closed. It also alerts you when a law you track changes where you live. No account.Get the free app

Track this law — get alerted when it changes

We watch the official sources behind Illinois boating rules. If a tracked rule changes, you get one short email — never more than one a week. Free, unsubscribe anytime.