2005 Illinois Code - Chapter 745 Civil Immunities 745 ILCS 65/ Recreational Use of Land and Water Areas Act.
(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, 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 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. (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. (Source: P.A. 94‑625, eff. 8‑18‑05.)
(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 either directly or indirectly invites or
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) Confer upon such person the legal status of an invitee or licensee
to whom a duty of care is owed. (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. (Source: P.A. 86‑414.)
(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 charges the
person or persons who enter or go on the land for the recreational use
thereof, except that in the case of land leased to the State or a
subdivision thereof, any consideration received by the owner for such lease
is not a charge within the meaning of this Section. (Source: P.A. 85‑959.)
(745 ILCS 65/7)(from Ch. 70, par. 37) Sec. 7. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (a) Create a duty of care or ground of liability for injury to persons
or property. (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. (Source: Laws 1965, p. 2263.)
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