SB0025 Engrossed LRB094 00036 RLC 30036 b

1     AN ACT concerning vehicles.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by adding
5 Section 11-1426.1 as follows:
 
6     (625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1 new)
7     Sec. 11-1426.1. Operation of neighborhood electric
8 vehicles on streets, roads, and highways.
9     (a) As used in this Section, "neighborhood electric
10 vehicle" means a self-propelled, electronically powered
11 four-wheeled motor vehicle which is capable of attaining in one
12 mile a speed of more than 20 miles per hour, but not more than
13 25 miles per hour, and which conforms to federal regulations
14 under Title 49 C.F.R. Part 571.500.
15     (b) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, it is
16 unlawful for any person to drive or operate a neighborhood
17 electric vehicle upon any street, highway, or roadway in this
18 State. If the operation of a neighborhood electric vehicle is
19 authorized under subsection (d), the neighborhood electric
20 vehicle may be operated only on streets where the posted speed
21 limit is 35 miles per hour or less. This subsection (b) does
22 not prohibit a neighborhood electric vehicle from crossing a
23 road or street at an intersection where the road or street has
24 a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
25     (b-5) A person may not operate a neighborhood electric
26 vehicle upon any street, highway, or roadway in this State
27 unless he or she has a valid Illinois driver's license issued
28 in his or her name by the Secretary of State.
29     (c) No person operating a neighborhood electric vehicle
30 shall make a direct crossing upon or across any highway under
31 the jurisdiction of the State, tollroad, interstate highway, or
32 controlled access highway in this State.

 

 

SB0025 Engrossed - 2 - LRB094 00036 RLC 30036 b

1     (d) A municipality, township, county, or other unit of
2 local government may authorize, by ordinance or resolution, the
3 operation of neighborhood electric vehicles on roadways under
4 its jurisdiction if the unit of local government determines
5 that the public safety will not be jeopardized. The Department
6 may authorize the operation of neighborhood electric vehicles
7 on the roadways under its jurisdiction if the Department
8 determines that the public safety will not be jeopardized.
9     Before permitting the operation of neighborhood electric
10 vehicles on its roadways, a municipality, township, county,
11 other unit of local government, or the Department must consider
12 the volume, speed, and character of traffic on the roadway and
13 determine whether neighborhood electric vehicles may safely
14 travel on or cross the roadway. Upon determining that
15 neighborhood electric vehicles may safely operate on a roadway
16 and the adoption of an ordinance or resolution by a
17 municipality, township, county, or other unit of local
18 government, or authorization by the Department, appropriate
19 signs shall be posted.
20     If a roadway is under the jurisdiction of more than one
21 unit of government, neighborhood electric vehicles may not be
22 operated on the roadway unless each unit of government agrees
23 and takes action as provided in this subsection.
24     (e) No neighborhood electric vehicle may be operated on a
25 roadway unless, at a minimum, it has the following: brakes, a
26 steering apparatus, tires, a rearview mirror, red
27 reflectorized warning devices in the front and rear, a slow
28 moving emblem (as required of other vehicles in Section 12-709
29 of this Code) on the rear of the neighborhood electric vehicle,
30 a headlight that emits a white light visible from a distance of
31 500 feet to the front, a tail lamp that emits a red light
32 visible from at least 100 feet from the rear, brake lights, and
33 turn signals. When operated on a roadway, a neighborhood
34 electric vehicle shall have its headlight and tail lamps
35 lighted as required by Section 12-201 of this Code.
36     (f) A person who drives or is in actual physical control of

 

 

SB0025 Engrossed - 3 - LRB094 00036 RLC 30036 b

1 a neighborhood electric vehicle on a roadway while under the
2 influence is subject to Sections 11-500 through 11-502 of this
3 Code.