It’s more about legality than practicality.
Wisconsin has a thriving sports business for tourists; people come to Wisconsin and rent Jet Skis, and Snowmobiles, and all sorts of other equipment, which, if used improperly, can result in a lot of damage. In Illinois, it’s virtually impossible to rent a boat or Jet Ski or Snowmobile.
In Wisconsin, when you rent one of those items, you sign a disclaimer and waiver form … and in Illinois, you would sign one as well. But here is the difference:
in Wisconsin, when you sign the form and then crash your Snowmobile, causing $10,000 damage to the snowmobile, another $15,000 in damage to the pier or car or building you crashed into, and $25,000 in medical bills for your broken legs, – when you file a lawsuit, the judge throws it out of court and charges you $500 for wasting the court’s time.
In Illinois, the judge says “well, you did sign the disclaimer and waiver” but then allows the lawsuit to go through, and maybe not only costs the guy who rented you the Snowmobile $50,000 but perhaps another $25,000 in legal bills.
It’s sad, but some people will sue even if they don’t have a leg to stand on. And win. It’s not you, Matt, but your parents who would have to agree …