Daily Herald opinion: A wake-up call: New laws and common sense can make boating safer

It’s natural after a tragedy to ask questions about what could have been done to prevent it and future tragedies.

Boaters who use the Fox River and lawmakers who represent its residents are asking those very questions right now after a crash on July 25 that took the life of 48-year-old Magdalena Jablonska of Des Plaines.

Authorities say that Richard M. Stevenson of Lisle was drunk and going 80 mph in a pontoon in a no-wake zone when he went over the boat Jablonska was riding in with her fiance, killing her and injuring him.

In the aftermath of that crash, the boating community and lawmakers are looking at ways to prevent future cases like this.

“It sent a shock wave through our community,” Bonnie Miske, co-owner/general manager of the Broken Oar Marina Bar & Grill on the Fox River in Port Barrington, said. “There’s nobody who lives here or is part of the boating community that hasn’t been affected by this.”

State Sen. Craig Wilcox told Daily Herald reporter Mick Zawislak that there is no shortage of ideas and energy to get something done in Springfield.

“There’s enough concern,” the McHenry Republican said. “People are looking for something to be done.”

There was enough concern to get something done in 2010 after 10-year-old Tony Borica was hit and killed by an intoxicated boater while tubing on the Chain O’ Lakes. Boaters are now required to display an orange flag when pulling a tuber or skier. Illinois also now requires boaters in an accident involving serious injury or death to consent to blood testing for alcohol or drug use.

There are no-wake zones like the site of last month’s fatal crash, but there is no daytime speed limit for boats on the Chain or the Fox River. The Fox Waterway Agency does have a 25 mph limit when boating at night.

State House District 63 Rep. Steve Rieck of Woodstock hopes to have a rough draft of legislation soon to establish speed limits and an additional police presence on the Fox River.

New laws can only go so far, though.

Most of the thousands of people who use the Chain O’ Lakes and Fox River follow the rules and respect other boaters. A little common sense — not speeding when the water is crowded, not drinking to excess — would go a long way toward preventing future tragedies.

Alcohol and drugs are among the leading causes of fatal boating crashes in Illinois, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. In 2025, 81 reportable boating accidents occurred on Illinois waters, resulting in 12 fatalities and 37 injuries. Of those 12 fatalities, seven involved alcohol or drug impairment.

New laws can make the Chain and the Fox River safer for all boaters, but in the meantime, let’s use good judgment to make sure everyone gets back home after a fun day on the water.