Richard Stevenson, 45, is expected to face a judge later Monday for charges of DUI and reckless homicide, the Daily Herald reported.
The crash happened Saturday afternoon. The McHenry Township Fire Protection District said there were two people on each boat when the crash happened.
One person died and two others were taken to the hospital.
Fire officials said bystanders said that two additional people from one of the boats left before first responders arrived.
The crash has left a community searching for answers.
"It is very sad," Bob Sexton said. "From a homeowner and a boater perspective, we just want to make it as safe for boaters as possible."
Officials have not yet identified the person who died.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is leading the investigation