All powered boats must be registered and numbered – this would include boats powered with electric motors
625 ILCS 45/3-1) Every watercraft other than non-powered watercraft on waters within the jurisdiction of this State shall be numbered. No person may operate, use, or store or give permission for the operation, usage, or storage of any such watercraft on such waters . . .
EXEMPTIONS:
625 ILCS 45/3-12) A watercraft shall not be required to be numbered under this Act if it is:
H. Non-powered, owned and operated on water completely impounded on land belonging to the owner of the watercraft. This Section does not apply to water controlled by a club or association.
I. A non-powered watercraft.
DEFINITIONS:
(625 ILCS 45/1-2) 625 ILCS 45/1-2 Definitions. (Illinois Compiled Statutes (2019 Edition))
“Watercraft” means every description of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, except a seaplane on the water, air mattress or similar device, and boats used for concession rides in artificial bodies of water designed and used exclusively for such concessions.
“Motorboat” means any vessel propelled by machinery, whether or not such machinery is the principal source of propulsion, . . .
“Non-powered watercraft” means any canoe, kayak, kiteboard, paddleboard, float tube, or watercraft not propelled by sail, canvas, or machinery of any sort.
“Sailboat” means any watercraft propelled by sail or canvas, including sailboards. For the purposes of this Act, any watercraft propelled by both sail or canvas and machinery of any sort shall be deemed a motorboat when being so propelled.
“Waters of this State” means any water within the jurisdiction of this State.
“Use” applies to all vessels on the waters of this State, whether moored or underway.