April 1, 2024   

It seems incredible to me that we are about to host our 10th Wiffle Ball Tournament this summer! We are continually amazed and overwhelmed by the support of everyone who comes out every year to support our mission to make boating safer. We hope to see everyone come back again this year to play ball, browse our raffle and silent auction, enjoy the food and music, and connect with friends throughout the community.

As many of you already know, I founded the Y-noT Project after my precious 10 year old son Tony was killed on July 28, 2012, while tubing on the Chain O’Lakes.  He fell off the tube and then was hit by a man who pled guilty to operating a boat under the combined influence of alcohol and cocaine.  That boater was sentenced to 10 years in prison in June, 2013.

We need to change the culture that accepts and even encourages the driver of a boat to drink while driving.  Although we understand that boating is a recreational activity, and we accept that people enjoying that activity will also most often be drinking, we also strongly advocate that the boat driver commits to staying sober.  Sober boat operation is just as imperative for safety as is the sober operation of a car.  Because we are promoting safe and responsible boating rather than abstinence from all drinking on boats, the Y-noT Project hopes that the people living on and around the Fox River and the Chain O’Lakes will join us in our mission.  It is time to take back our lakes and rivers.

At the time of Tony’s death, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) patrolled the entire Chain O’Lakes with 2 patrol boats.  Because this is the busiest inland waterway in the country, and because this is where Tony senselessly lost his life, the Y-noT Project has focused its efforts to improve boating law enforcement here.  To that end, we have used the proceeds of our Annual Wiffle Ball Tournaments to purchase a new patrol boat for DNR to increase summer weekend patrols on the Chain. We are planning to purchase additional patrol boats for the Lake County and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Marine Units, which we hope to have on the lakes within a year. We have also supported the DNR, Lake County and McHenry County law enforcement units with a multitude of other equipment needed to more efficiently patrol the Chain. In addition, we provided an intensive, 56-hour Coast Guard training course for DNR and Lake County Sheriff’s officers to increase the safety and effectiveness of their enforcement efforts on the water. As a result, local law enforcement has increased its presence on the Chain and we believe we are beginning to see a shift to safer boating behavior.

As always, no money raised by the Y-noT Project has been given to my family for any reason.  In addition, the Y-noT Project has not spent any money on lobbyists, nor has it given any money to politicians or political causes.  The only legislation the Y-noT Project has supported has been bi-partisan bills to make boating safer, and our advocacy consisted of me speaking to committee and town hall meetings. 

Margaret Borcia
President