FOX WATERWAY-PUBLIC USE Senate SponsorsSen. Pamela J. Althoff 1/8/2013SenateSession Sine Die 615 ILCS 90/3from Ch. 19, par. 1203615 ILCS 90/3.1 new615 ILCS 90/3.2 new615 ILCS 90/6from Ch. 19, par. 1206Amends the Fox Waterway Agency Act. Modifies the definition of "Waterway" to include the term "Chain of Lakes Fox River Recreational Waterway" and all streams, side channels, and improved channels that connect with, discharge into, or are open to the river. Provides that all waters within the waterway are public waters which the public has a right to use and enjoy. Provides that the public's right to navigate includes the right to incidentally touch private property as required for safe passage and continued movement and to portage around a dangerous obstruction in the water, if portage is made in a manner that is the most direct, least invasive, and closest to the water. Provides that public water may not be accessed from private property without the permission of the owner of the private property. Provides that a person may not, unless authorized by law, close off or otherwise bar access to any public water in the waterway or prevent any person from exercising the right to navigate upon public water without authorization of other law. Provides that nothing in the new provisions shall be construed as limiting or enlarging any right granted by express easement or otherwise provided by law. Provides that the executive director of the Fox Waterway Agency shall be a person of recognized ability in business or waterway management, instead of "at a minimum, have graduated from a four-year college or university (or the equivalent) in civil engineering, biology or public administration or a closely related field". 1/24/2012SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Pamela J. Althoff 1/24/2012SenateFirst Reading 1/24/2012SenateReferred to Assignments 2/7/2012SenateAssigned to Transportation 3/2/2012SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Pamela J. Althoff 3/2/2012SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments 3/6/2012SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Transportation 3/9/2012SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments 3/9/2012SenateRule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments 1/8/2013SenateSession Sine Die