The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Coast Guard are urging people to operate their boats, jet skis and other watercraft safely as they celebrate the unofficial end of summer this Labor Day weekend.

“Crowded waterways are no place to throw caution to the wind,” said Lt. Curt Lewis with the Illinois Conservation Police. “We want everyone to enjoy the long holiday weekend with family and friends. We also want them all to make it home safely with nothing but fun memories.”

Authorities will be patrolling Illinois rivers, lakes and Lake Michigan throughout the Labor Day weekend looking for safety violations and reckless operators following several recent tragic situations in the “Playpen” waters of Lake Michigan.

94.1 WGFA