625 ILCS 45/7-1

It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of operating a boat or boats carrying passengers for hire, or renting a boat or boats for hire without first having obtained a license so to do from the Department. Such license shall be renewable each year on January 1st, shall be good only for one year or portion of a year up to and including December 31st, and it shall be unlawful for such person to so engage in such business without having a valid license currently then in force. The Department shall outline the application process for passenger-for-hire licenses or rental boat licenses by administrative rule. Violations of this Act by a business or individual holding a rental license or passenger-for-hire license shall result in the suspension or revocation of the license issued based on the procedures outlined in administrative rule.