State Legislature has provided protection from lawsuits to those landowners along waterways that have allowed access to their property to fishermen who my get hurt and seek restitution. Providing no fees were charged by the landowner for the access.

$36,000,000.00 a year is available from the government to promote fishing and boating.

$70,000,000.00 is generated by a fund created by the Fishing and Boating manufactures self imposed tax to support our recreational activities. Phonetically spelled, the Wallop / Pro Fund is where these taxes wind up. They money comes from this built in tax we all pay when we buy various gear. Fishing tackle 3%, Fishing gear for example; rods and reels 10%, Electronics 3%, Outboard Motors 2%, there is a percent on boats as well but I am not sure how much or if it is on all boats all goes directly to the fund.

Launch Ramps on the river, for small boats, has been on issue for years. Several sights north and south are being looked at and being considered. North near the old Riverview Amusement Park location and south near 26^th and Western.

A Fishing Reef is another possibility being considered somewhere off Chicago shores. Several locations are being review with a possibility of sever reefs going in soon. The last reef went in a year ago and has just now started to show promise for good fishing.

Fishing over the winter is being discussed to allow fishing from the harbor piers. Before you get upset there will be special permit sold for the access to designated piers. There has been much vandalism over the winter with the cutting and breaking of locks on the gates. Many issues need to be resolved like insurance, surveillance of the piers by an attendant, as well as the IDNR and the Marine Police. Hopefully regulated access at a price will help curtail the damage and help get other revenue to fix pier damage from the abuse the Chicago winters can bring to our harbors.