Below are the 2026 By-laws. If you would like to download a copy please click here.

DUES
Membership dues, dock & cabin fees, and speed boat fees must be paid on or before March 1 of each year. A $50.00 late fee will be assessed from March 1^st through April 1^st. After April 1^st, your Membership will be terminated. Dues & fees can be mailed to

South Wilmington Firemen’s Beach & Park Club (or SWFBPC)
P.O. Box 201
South Wilmington, IL 60474

Payment must be postmarked on or before March 1. Payments can also be made in person at the Club Office (cash, credit card, checks or money orders).

Gate Cards are reused each year and will be reactivated when your payment clears.

SENIOR DISCOUNT
A senior discount is available to any Member and/or spouse who is 65 years of age and has been a Member of the Club, in good standing, for 10 years or more, as of March 1^st of the current year. To obtain this discount, you will need to provide proof of your date of birth (Birth Certificate, Driver’s License, State I.D., or any other legal document).

MILITARY
Active members of the Service who were Club Members prior to their entrance into the service may continue their Membership for $20.00/year and provide proof of service status. Upon their discharge, they must reinstate their membership for the current annual dues.

MEMBERS BETWEEN 18-25 and a student
Members between the ages of 18-25 who continue their education (>12 semester hours) will be assessed $20.00 for dues for any subsequent years so long as proof from the College is provided at the time dues payment is made.

MEMBERS’ CHILDREN WHO TURN 18
On or prior to March 1^st of the upcoming season, member’s children who turn eighteen will have the opportunity to obtain their own Membership for the same initiation fee that their parents paid plus the annual dues. These children MUST join prior to April 1^st. After April 1^st, they will be required to pay the full initiation fee and annual dues as well as late charges. The 1^st year of membership will be full dues. 

MEMBERS’ CHILDREN UNDER 18
Children who are 6-12 years of age may obtain a Youth I.D. Card to gain admittance to the Club with an adult member (who may not be their guardian). Children who are 13 – 17 years of age may obtain a Youth I.D. Card to gain admittance to the Club without a guardian Children must show the Youth I.D. at the Gate House to gain admittance. Children 16-17 years of age may purchase a Gate Card for $25.00. This will give them easier access when driving. The card will shut off at 11pm curfew. They are still under parent’s membership until 18. Children of members are NOT allowed to bring in guests. The parent or guardian may request a Youth I.D. Card or Youth Gate Card from the Office. If the child does not follow Club rules, the Family Membership may result in suspension/termination.

MARRIAGE
Members who get married must contact the Club Office and provide a copy of the Marriage Certificate.

DIVORCE
Members in good standing who divorce will have the option to continue with separate Memberships. Both Members need to contact the Club Office for details within one year of the finalized divorce.

GATE-CARDS
Your Gate-Cards will be required to access and depart the Club. Only one car must attempt to pass through the gate at a time. Damages caused by improper usage of the gates are the responsibility of the Club Member. Gate-Cards are assigned to the Member, any use of the card by anyone other than the Membership holder will result in Suspension/Termination of the Membership.

LOST OR STOLEN GATE-CARDS
Lost or stolen cards must be reported to the Club Office immediately. A $50.00 charge will be assessed for a replacement card. If a card/wallet or purse is stolen, the charge is waived if a copy of the police report is submitted to the Club Office. There are no refunds if a key card is found.

EXTRA GATE-CARDS
Extra gate-cards are not available. Married members will be issued 2-gate-cards, single members will only receive 1-gate card.

CONDUCT of MEMBERS & GUESTS
Members who by any conduct cause dissension or trouble in the Club are subject to Membership termination.

Person who has been convicted as Sex Offenders, as defined in the Illinois Statues, may not be Members. On April 11, 2013, The South Wilmington Firemen’s Beach and Park Club adopted a By-Law Amendment which forbids the membership of any persons who have been convicted of a sex offense. Memberships that have been previously issued to persons who have been convicted of a sex offense will be terminated.

All members over the age of eighteen must provide the following information to perform a background check:   Full name, birth date, and Driver’s License Number (if applicable).

Each Club Member is responsible for the conduct of their guests and must ensure that each guest is registered and signs in on the Daily or Event Sign-In Sheet at the Gate House.

GUESTS
All guests are to sign in at the Gate House with the member present.  Any unregistered guests will result in loss of member’s/host’s membership.  No warning will be given.

Limit of 4 guests a day, per member.

No Guests allowed on Sundays and/or Holidays other than immediate family members. 

Children of members are not allowed to bring in guests.

Guests are not allowed to be in the Club without the Member’s presence.

All Guests must depart the Club by 10 p.m.

Guests are not allowed to bring boats, campers, golf carts, etc.

Overnight guests:  member must call the Office and get approval for any overnight guests. No overnight guests on Sundays or Holidays, other than for the immediate family members.

Immediate family include, Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, child, grandchild, grandmother, grandfather, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepmother, stepfather, stepson, stepdaughter, grandfather-in-law, grandmother-in-law.

All recreational vehicles that come into the Club will require the membership number affixed to the gate side of the vehicle.  This includes Boats, Campers, Boat Trailers, Kayaks, Paddle Boats, Golf Carts, etc.  Upon entry, membership numbers will be reviewed and only then will the annual sticker be applied to the vehicle. 

All motorized vehicles require some form of liability.  See below, INSURANCE, for info pertaining to your specific motor vehicle.

Club members must abide by all Fish and Game Codes of the State of Illinois, including possession and size limits of fish, unless established by governing club rules.

The limit on fish caught at the club per Fisherman (member or guest) per day, are as follows:

Walleye: two (2) fish
Perch: ten (10) fish
Trout: four (4) fish
Catfish: four (4) fish
Bass:  six (6) fish no less <10” or >14”
Crappie:  ten (10) fish

Members are allowed to bring in guests EXCEPT on Trout opening day/weekend, Sundays and Holidays.

Jugging and throw lines are allowed in Incline 3 only, with permission from the Fish Committee.

A life jacket or belt must be worn while in any boat and all state regulations must be complied with. Life jackets that require a cord to be pulled to activate are prohibited.

No adult fishing, including ice fishing, is allowed in Stoney (Kids’) Lake. If caught, your membership will be revoked. 

All ice fishermen must wear a safety floatation device.

No motorized vehicles are allowed on frozen lakes.

DOCK & CABIN
Members with a Cabin and/or Boat Dock will be charged an annual Lease Fee and required to sign a lease agreement. The lease agreement, proof of insurance, and all fees must be paid by March 1 for your Membership to be considered renewed.

Cabins & Docks must be kept clean, neat and in good physical condition.

Prior permission must be obtained from the Boat, Cabin & Dock Committee before performing any repairs or selling your Cabin or Dock.

Absolutely no swimming will be allowed off the Docks. No electricity may be drawn to the Docks. 

Adult supervision must be maintained while children are on the Docks.

WATERCRAFTS
Boat owners must comply with IDNR regulations. All watercrafts that are motorized (Ski, Fishing, Pontoon, etc.) must have a valid IDNR Sticker.

Speed Boats also require a SWFBPC Temporary or a SWFBPC Permanent Sticker.

All Watercrafts (including kayaks and canoes) must have the Club’s annual sticker AND Membership Number affixed to the Port Side of the watercraft.

A flotation device or vest must be worn by all people in the watercraft.

Boats shall use extreme caution and minimize speeds while passing by fishing and swimming areas. All boats shall respect the No Wake Zones across from the Beach and Incline 1.

The maximum allowed boat length is 22 Ft. for ski boats and 24 ft. for pontoon boats as stated on the title.

As of July 1, 2013, children under the age of eighteen must attend a boater’s safety class to operate a water vessel.

ALL BOATS, BOAT TRAILERS, CAMPERS MUST BE REMOVED BY THE END OF THE SEASON.

Incline 1 is a No Wake Zone. No exceptions. All boats must comply with the 5-mph speed limit.

No paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, or other non-motorized watercrafts allowed at Incline 2 or Kids Lake.

PROHIBITED
Members cannot loan their boats to other members or guests.

Pontoon boats cannot pull/tow anything or anyone.

NO parking Pontoon boats overnight at a speed boat dock.

Guests are not allowed to bring in any watercraft.

Outside toilets are not allowed.

Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in any watercraft.

No ballasts, nor any other boat device that increases the boat’s wake.

PERMANENT SPEED BOATS
Permanent speed boats are allowed in the Club Sunday through Saturday. Permanent speed boats require a minimum of $500,000 liability. Proof of insurance and a $50 boat fee are required by March 1 of each year to maintain permanent boat status and before entrance into the Club. In addition, all permanent speed boats must be brought into the Club and register with the Office by June 1. Please call the office to make an appointment for registration. Failure to register with the Office by June 1 will incur a loss of permanent status.

TEMPORARY (WEEKDAY) SPEED BOATS
Temporary speed boats are allowed in the Club Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Temporary speed boats require a minimum of $500,000 liability. Proof of insurance and a $25 boat fee are required by March 1 of each year to maintain temporary boat status and before entrance into the Club. In addition, all temporary speedboats must be brought into the Club and registered with the Office by June 1. Please call the office to make an appointment for registration. Failure to register with the Office by July 1 will incur loss of temporary status. When entering the Club with your temporary boat pass, stop at the Gate House to pick up your orange flag. Return when leaving. Weekend access may be permitted by calling the Chairman of the Boat, Cabin, & Dock Committee.

The beach opens the Saturday of Memorial Weekend and closes Labor Day. Hours will be posted on our FB page South Wilmington Firemen’s Club Board of Directors and on the Messaging Board at the Gate House.

Swimming is only allowed within the established boundaries of the beach and while a lifeguard is on duty.

Proper swimming attire designed for swimming must be worn if using the beach.

All children who are 12 years of age and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

All posted beach rules must be followed.

We reserve the right to change beach hours at any time.

PROHIBITED

• Swimming is prohibited in all other areas of the Club.
• Cut-off jeans and thong bikinis are prohibited.
• No eating, drinking, or smoking are allowed on the beach.
• No alcohol is allowed on or near the beach.
• No admittance to the sand or water when Lifeguards are not on duty.

LIFEGUARDS
Lifeguards must always be obeyed regarding water and beach safety.  Failure to cooperate with the lifeguards will result in termination of membership. 

Every hour the lifeguard will signal for a 15-minute break. All people must come out of the water. This allows everyone to rest and regroup.

BEACH SHOWERS
Before using the washroom showers, please rinse the sand off using the outside showers. This will help eliminate clogged drains.

Club road speed limits are 20-mph on the solid surface roads and 10-mph on the gravel roads. Please drive carefully and be alert for small children and wildlife.

PROHIBITED

• No outside trash allowed. 
• Parking is prohibited in boat launch areas.
• Parking is prohibited in front of or around the Pavilions.
• Minibikes and motor scooters are prohibited on Club Property.
• No motorized vehicles are allowed on frozen lakes.
• No motorized vehicles are allowed on off-road ways.
• Guests are not allowed to bring or operate four or six-wheel Side-by-Sides, Golf Carts, or ATVs.
• Impaired drivers of any motor vehicle while in the Club will be subject to termination.

PERMITTED
Only licensed Club Members may operate motorized vehicles in the Club.

Four or six-wheel Side-by-Sides, Golf Carts, and ATVs are permitted in the Club, operated by a licensed Club Member.

All four or six-wheel Side-by-Sides, Golf Carts, and ATVs must be checked in at the Gate House before entry. Members must show proof of insurance (liability) and verify the brake, front and back lights are operating. Then the required annual sticker must be affixed to the driver’s side of the motor vehicle.

GOLF CARTS, SIDE-BY-SIDES, ETC.
All motorized-recreational vehicles are to be driven by license drivers.  If a non-license driver is found driving, the owner’s membership will be terminated. 

All motorized-recreational vehicles require minimum liability. 

An ice-skating pond is located at the east end of the main road.

No ice fishing is allowed in Stoney (Kid’s) Lake.

The Club allows yard waste to be dumped in the Club at our designated area, but all other waste is strictly prohibited!  Such as lumber, scrap wood, garbage, etc.  If you are caught dumping outside trash at the Club, in a dumpster or elsewhere, your membership will be revoked.  No warnings given.

Any building or construction must be pre-approved by the appropriate committee and the Board of Directors.

No glass containers allowed in the Club.

No firearms allowed in the Club.

Movement of trash containers is not allowed. Contact Grounds Department if a container is needed.

Porta-Johns are maintained by a third party. Weekly clean outs are scheduled during peak season.

Porta-Johns for special needs can be arranged by contacting the Grounds Department.

PETS
Members must clean-up after pets. All pets must remain on leashes. 

Camping season is typically the last Friday in March through the last Sunday in October, weather permitting.

The Board of Directors reserves the right to adjust, realign, move and/or correct any camper or tent. Movement of campers (every 2 weeks) is no longer required. Any length of stay is acceptable.

REGISTRATION
All campers and tents must register at the Gate House upon entry.

Registration Process:

1. Validating proof of insurance for Camper, a minimum of $300,000 liability (no requirement for tent)
2. completing camping registration form
3. validating the membership number is clearly affixed to the Gate House side of the camper.

Proof of Insurance can be emailed to the Club Office at swfbpc.office@gmail.com before arrival, or bring insurance copy with. If no insurance, no entry.

DAILY FEES
All campers and tents will be charged a daily fee regardless of which area is chosen and this amount must be paid at the time of admittance. Areas 1, 2 & 3 have fifty-amp electric service, while all other areas have thirty-amp electric service.

• Nonelectric Camping fees can be paid for any length of stay (daily, weekly, monthly, or for the season)
  $5.00 per day.
• Electric Camping fees can be paid for any length of stay (daily, weekly, monthly, or for the season) 
  $9.00 per day.

Payment can be made via cash (we do not accept anything larger than a $20 bill), check, or credit card.  Please note, credit card payments must be made in person and will incur a 4% surcharge.

No refunds nor credits will be issued for any reason. Failure to pay fees on time will result in late charges. Placards are issued at the time of payment and must be displayed on a camper or tent and visible from the roadway.

Expired placards must be turned in prior to receiving a new one or upon exit from the Club, otherwise a late fee will be applied. 

CAMPER & TENT REQUIREMENTS

All campers and tents must maintain 25’ distance from other campers.  Within your 25’ of space, you must contain all your property. This includes your picnic table, firepit, dog kennel, etc.  This allows other members to also enjoy the Club.

All campers and tents must keep their area neat and clean as well as place all refuse in the appropriate containers. 

All cords plugged into the Club power must be a minimum of 10-guage wire. If you do not have the proper cord, your camper may be removed from the Club.

All wastewaters must be disposed of properly.

Members must clean-up after pets. All pets must remain on leashes. 

PROHIBITED

Pallets are not to be used as firewood.

No lights are allowed to be placed in trees.

Campers are not allowed to be stored at the Club.

Guests are not allowed to bring in campers.

Camping Sites are first-come, first-served. Camping sites are not saved or retained by any member.

No campers or tents allowed on roads that access lakes.

ALL BOATS, BOAT TRAILERS, CAMPERS MUST BE REMOVED BY THE END OF THE SEASON.

All game should be protected and not molested.

Ducks and geese should not be fed.

Firearms, bows and arrows, air guns, and any other hunting devices are prohibited in the Club.

No horses are allowed in the Club.

All dogs must be leashed while in the Club.

Insurance

• All Campers, including pop-ups and motorhomes, require a minimum of $300,000 liability.
• All speed boats require a minimum of $500,000 liability.
• All Docks and Cabins require a minimum of $300,000 liability.
• All golf carts, side-by-sides, ATV’s, etc. require some form of liability insurance. 
• All insurance documents can be mailed or emailed to the office.

Lost and Found
Any items found should be brought immediately to the Office or Gate House. If lost, please call the Office.

Picnics or Events
All picnics or events must register with the Club Office a minimum of 7 days prior to the event. Whether the event is at the large pavilion, small pavilions, Docks, or next to the Club Office, the host is responsible for guest sign-ins and the conduct of their guests. Hosts are responsible for leaving the area clean. All events must end by 10pm, and all guests must leave the Club by 10pm.

The small pavilions are first come, first serve.  The large pavilion requires a deposit of $100.00 and a signature on the form understanding all the rules.

Members violating any of the above rules and/or By-Laws are subject to suspension/termination.