Copied from Illinois DNR website

Registration And Titling
Boats which must be registered and titled: All watercraft operated on the waters
within the jurisdiction of this state shall be registered and titled.
Boats exempted from registration and titling: Watercraft shall not be required to
be registered and titled under this Act if it is:
1. A watercraft which has a valid marine document issued by the United
States Coast Guard, EXCEPT THAT any such documented vessel used
upon the waters of this State for more than 60 days in any calendar year
shall be registered in compliance with this Act.2. Already covered by a number in full force and effect from another
state, if such boat will not be within this State for a period in excess of
60 consecutive days.
3. A sailboard.
4. A watercraft from a country other than the United States temporarily
using the waters of the State.
5. A watercraft owned by the United States, a state or subdivision thereof,
used solely for official purposes, and clearly identifiable.
6. A vessel used exclusively as a ship’s lifeboat.
7. Watercraft while competing in any race approved by the Department,
or if the watercraft is designed and intended solely for racing while
engaged in navigation that is incidental to preparation of the watercraft
for the race. Preparation of the watercraft for the race may be accomplished
only after obtaining the written authorization of the
Department.
8. Non-powered watercraft owned and operated on water completely
impounded on land belonging to the owner of the watercraft. This does
not apply to waters controlled by a club or association.
9. A canoe or kayak which is owned by an organization which is organized
and conducted on a not-for-profit basis with no personal profit inuring
to anyone as a result of the operation.
Registration – Title Application: The owner of each watercraft requiring registration
and titling by this State shall file a watercraft application with the
Department. The application shall be signed by the owner of the boat, and shall
be accompanied by the required documents (New boats: you must surrender the
original properly endorsed Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin; Boats previously
registered or titled in another state; you must surrender the owner’s registration
certificate an/or title; Illinois titled boats: you must surrender the owner’s Illinois
title) and appropriate fee.



The way I read that is if I don`t use my boat in Illinois more than 60 days I don`t have to register it. I boat in Indiana 99% so I don`t have any Il. registration.

The state of IL blows but someone has to support the worthless scum suckers in this state.

I just got the audit letter. Can't believe this. They want documentation for all boats i purchased dating back to 2008. That makes two boats and the one that's been long gone i have no documentation. It was a trade taken for an atv anyways. No monetary deal there.

I know a lot of people who feel this way. Illinois has been fu*ked up for years. Governors end up in prison, state debt out of control, businesses moving out. I came to Florida years ago and besides the $500 they charge to register a car, I'm happy just where I am