Illinois Statutes Chapter 615. Waterways § 20/4. Vessel sinking or delaying navigation; removal to clear waters

§ 4. If any vessel, boat, water craft, or raft, or other similar obstruction, is sinking or grounding, or being unnecessarily delayed in any public or navigable waters mentioned in this Act, in such a manner as to stop, seriously interfere with, or specially endanger navigation, in the opinion of the Director of Natural Resources, or any duly authorized agent of the Department, the Department, or any such agent, shall have the right to take immediate possession of such boat, vessel, or other water craft, or raft, so far as to remove or to destroy it and to clear immediately such public or navigable waters of the obstruction thereby caused, using his best judgment to prevent any unnecessary injury. It is unlawful for anyone to prevent such removal or destruction. The Department or agent thereof charged with the removal or destruction of an obstruction under this Section may, in his discretion, give notice in writing to the owners of any such obstruction requiring them to remove it. The expense of removing any such obstruction as aforesaid shall be a charge against such craft and cargo and if the owners thereof fail or refuse to reimburse the State for such expense within 30 days after notification, then the officer or agent aforesaid may sell the craft or cargo, or any part thereof that may not have been destroyed in removal, at public auction, and the proceeds of such sale shall be deposited with the State Treasurer. If the proceeds of any such sale is not sufficient in amount to reimburse the State for such expense, the State of Illinois, acting by and through its Department of Natural Resources, may, by civil action, obtain judgment against the owners of such craft, cargo, or both for the difference between the proceeds of such sale and the actual expense incurred by the State of Illinois, acting by and through its Department of Natural Resources, in connection with such removal.