Water Safety in Illinois

On Illinois's Lake Michigan shore, swim only at a beach with lifeguards on duty, stay far away from piers and breakwalls, and stay out when you see whitewater. Lake Michigan looks like a calm inland lake on many days, but it has waves and currents that drown strong swimmers.

Illinois drowning and boating numbers

15 deaths

• Drowning: CDC puts Illinois's average annual drowning death rate for 2018-2021 at 1.06 per 100,000 people (opens in a new tab), below the U.S. rate of 1.31.
• Boating: The U.S. Coast Guard counted 68 reportable recreational boating incidents in Illinois in 2024, with 15 deaths and 31 injuries (opens in a new tab). Deaths by year: 19 in 2020, 15 in 2021, 5 in 2022, 13 in 2023 and 15 in 2024.
• Shoreline: NOAA lists 63 miles of official Great Lakes shoreline (opens in a new tab) for Illinois.

CDC counts drowning deaths of Illinois residents; the Coast Guard counts all deaths in reported boating incidents. See our Illinois data page.

Lake Michigan's dangerous currents

The National Weather Service's Great Lakes beach safety page explains the hazards:

• Piers and breakwalls. Water pushed toward a pier has nowhere else to go but out along the pier (opens in a new tab), and that current is often too strong to swim back against. The Weather Service says to swim at least 100 yards away from the structure (opens in a new tab), and not to jump off piers. Read jetties and piers.
• Whitewater means danger. If you see whitewater, waves are at least 3 feet and dangerous currents may be present (opens in a new tab). The Weather Service says 80% of drownings and rescues on the Great Lakes happen with waves of 3 to 6 feet.
• Waves come fast. Great Lakes waves arrive every 3-4 seconds on average in summer, and they wear swimmers out.
• Longshore currents push swimmers along the beach, sometimes toward piers and rocks. Children are especially at risk between the first and second sandbars.

If you are caught in a current near a pier, the Weather Service advice is to get the attention of people on the pier, try to reach a ladder, and float to save energy. If you want to help, throw a life ring or something that floats. Learn more in rip currents.

Chicago beaches: lifeguards and rules

The Chicago Park District manages 26 miles of open and free lakefront (opens in a new tab). Its rules:

• Season: the beach season runs from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. Lifeguards are only on duty during beach season, from 11 am - 7 pm (opens in a new tab).
• Where: only swim at beaches, when lifeguards are on duty (opens in a new tab). Swimming anywhere else along the lakefront is strictly prohibited and dangerous. Out of season, swimming is prohibited.
• Daily conditions: swim conditions are posted around 11 am based on weather and surf, and around 1:30 pm based on water quality. Flags can change during the day. See beach warning flags.
• Rescue equipment: under the Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act, life rings, cabinets and signs are installed along the lakefront. Learn where they are on your beach.

Illinois boating rules

From the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (625 ILCS 45/5-18):

• No person under 10 years of age may operate a motorboat (opens in a new tab), including personal watercraft.
• Ages 10 and 11 may operate a motorboat over 10 horsepower only under direct on-board supervision of a parent, guardian or designated adult 18 or older.
• Ages 12 to 17 need a valid boating safety certificate, or that same on-board supervision.
• Anyone born on or after January 1, 1998 needs a boating safety certificate to operate a motorboat over 10 horsepower. Supervising adults born on or after that date need one too.

Federal law requires children under 13 to wear a life jacket on a moving boat (opens in a new tab). This is a summary, not legal advice. Check IDNR before you go.

Official Illinois resources

• Chicago Park District beaches and daily swim conditions (opens in a new tab)
• IDNR boating safety education (opens in a new tab)
• National Weather Service Great Lakes beach safety (opens in a new tab)

What you can do today

• Plan Lake Michigan swims for guarded beaches during lifeguard hours.
• Teach your kids: stay 100 yards from piers, and never jump off one.
• Check the forecast for waves and beach hazard statements before you go.
• Find the nearest life ring when you arrive at the beach.
• Get an Illinois boating safety certificate if you were born in 1998 or later.
• Find lessons with our guide to finding swim lessons.