The Chain O’ Lakes, a beautiful location of Antioch, IL, has been a place of numerous tragic stories. One of such stories is very personal to me, as are many to our fellow residents. Too many young people have been injured or even lost their lives while operating personal watercraft on these waters.

The current age requirement to operate such craft is far too low, subjecting inexperienced and immature individuals to dangers they may not fully comprehend. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, in 2019, operator inexperience and operator error were the primary contributing factors in 22% and 41% respectively, of all reported boating accidents nationwide. Even more startling, over half of those incidents caused injuries, and some, regrettably, resulted in fatalities.

By raising the legal age for operating a personal watercraft to 18 years old, we can reduce the number of accidents caused by youthful recklessness and lack of knowledge. It will also grant our younger citizens more time to become well-acquainted with the rules and regulations pertaining to watercraft operation.

This simple change could save lives, prevent injuries, and protect future generations from the tragedies that have befallen our beloved community.

We urge all residents of Antioch to join this cause. Enforcement of a higher age requirement is not about restriction, but safety. Let's protect our community, our children, and our future. Sign this petition to raise the age requirement for personal watercraft operation to 18 years old.