Illinois General Assembly - -

(745 ILCS 65/1) (from Ch. 70, par. 31)

Sec. 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Recreational Use of Land and Water Areas Act".

The purpose of this Act is to encourage owners of land to make land and water areas available to any individual or members of the public for recreational or conservation purposes by limiting their liability toward persons entering thereon for such purposes.

(Source: P.A. 94-625, eff. 8-18-05.)

(745 ILCS 65/2) (from Ch. 70, par. 32)

Sec. 2. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Land" includes roads, land, water, watercourses,

private ways and buildings, structures, and machinery or equipment when attached to the realty, but does not include residential buildings or residential property.

(b) "Owner" includes the possessor of any interest in

land, whether it be a tenant, lessee, occupant, the State of Illinois and its political subdivisions, or person in control of the premises.

(c) "Recreational or conservation purpose" means:

(1) entry onto the land of another to conduct

hunting or recreational shooting or a combination thereof or any activity solely related to the aforesaid hunting or recreational shooting; or

(2) entry by the general public onto the land of

another for any activity undertaken for conservation, resource management, educational, or outdoor recreational use.

(d) "Charge" means an admission fee for permission to

go upon the land, but does not include: the sharing of game, fish or other products of recreational use; or benefits to or arising from the recreational use; or contributions in kind, services or cash made for the purpose of properly conserving the land.

(e) "Person" includes any person, regardless of age,

maturity, or experience, who enters upon or uses land for recreational purposes.

(f) "Invites", for the purposes of this Act, means

the words or conduct of the owner would lead a reasonable person to believe that the owner desires the particular person to enter the land to the exclusion of the general public. No economic interest on the part of the owner is required.

(g) "Permits", for the purposes of this Act, means

the words or conduct of the owner would lead a reasonable person to believe that the owner is willing to allow the general public to enter the land. The words or conduct of the owner inviting (i) the general public to enter the land or (ii) particular persons to enter the land for a recreational or conservation purpose as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of this Section shall be construed as "permits" for purposes of this Act.

The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly apply only to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 98-522, eff. 1-1-14.)

(745 ILCS 65/3) (from Ch. 70, par. 33)

Sec. 3. Except as specifically recognized by or provided in Section 6 of this Act, an owner of land owes no duty of care to keep the premises safe for entry or use by any person for recreational or conservation purposes, or to give any warning of a natural or artificial dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity on such premises to persons entering for such purposes.

(Source: P.A. 85-959.)

(745 ILCS 65/4) (from Ch. 70, par. 34)

Sec. 4. Except as specifically recognized by or provided in Section 6 of this Act, an owner of land who permits without charge any person to use such property for recreational or conservation purposes does not thereby:

(a) Extend any assurance that the premises are safe

for any purpose.

(b) (Blank).

(c) Assume responsibility for or incur liability for

any injury to person or property caused by an act or omission of such person or any other person who enters upon the land.

(d) Assume responsibility for or incur liability for

any injury to such person or property caused by any natural or artificial condition, structure or personal property on the premises.

The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly apply only to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 98-522, eff. 1-1-14.)

(745 ILCS 65/5) (from Ch. 70, par. 35)

Sec. 5. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the provisions of Sections 3 and 4 of this Act are applicable to the duties and liability of an owner of land leased to the State or any subdivision thereof for recreational or conservation purposes.

(Source: P.A. 85-959.)

(745 ILCS 65/6) (from Ch. 70, par. 36)

Sec. 6. Nothing in this Act limits in any way any liability which otherwise exists:

(a) For willful and wanton failure to guard or warn

against a dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity.

(b) For injury suffered in any case where the owner

of land invites, as defined in subsection (f) of Section 2 of this Act, or charges the person or persons who enter or go on the land for the recreational use thereof.

The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly apply only to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 98-522, eff. 1-1-14.)

(745 ILCS 65/7) (from Ch. 70, par. 37)

Sec. 7. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to:

(a) (Blank).

(b) Relieve any person using the land of another for

recreational purposes from any obligation which he may have in the absence of this Act to exercise care in his use of such land and in his activities thereon, or from the legal consequences of failure to employ such care.

The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly apply only to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 98-522, eff. 1-1-14.)