(A) Definition of golf cart. A GOLF CART shall be as defined in the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/1-123.9, as may be amended from time to time, and shall mean a vehicle specifically designed and intended for the purpose of transporting one or more persons and their golf clubs or maintenance equipment while engaged in the playing of golf, supervising the play of golf, or maintaining the condition of the grounds on a public or private golf course.
(B) Operation of golf carts. Subject to the requirements of § 11-1426.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1, which is hereby adopted by the village, and to the provisions of this chapter, both of which may be amended from time to time, drivers properly licensed to operate motor vehicles on the roadways of the village shall be authorized to register and, if approved, operate golf carts on the streets under the jurisdiction of the village (hereby excluding state and county roads, including but not limited to Illinois Route 72) having a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. Golf carts may not be operated on sidewalks or other public property not accessible to or authorized to vehicular traffic, unless otherwise authorized by the Village Board for special events. Golf cart operators must yield the right-of-way to overtaking vehicles at all times. Golf carts shall not be operated in inclement weather or when visibility is impaired by weather, smoke, fog, or other conditions. Each golf cart may transport only as many individuals as is the number of seats designated by the golf cart manufacturer.
(C) Restrictions on crossing highways. A golf cart shall only be permitted to cross a State Highway at the intersections of Fourth Street and Illinois Route 72 and Fifth Street and Illinois Route 72. Otherwise, golf carts shall not be permitted to cross any state highway.
(D) Safety requirements for golf carts. Golf carts that operate within the village must be registered as provided for in division (E) below and said vehicles must contain the following: brakes, a steering apparatus, tires, seat belts for all passenger seats, a rearview mirror, red reflectorized warning devices in the front and rear, a slow-moving emblem (as required of other vehicles in § 12-709 of the Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/12-709) on the rear of the golf cart, a headlight that emits a white light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front, a tail lamp that emits a red light visible from at least 100 feet from the rear, brake lights, and turn signals. When operated on a roadway, a golf cart shall have its headlight and tail lamps lighted as required by § 12-201 of the Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/12-201.
(E) Annual registration of golf carts. No golf cart shall be operated on any roadway of the village unless the owner(s) thereof shall have first registered the golf cart with the village in accordance with the following:
(1) Registration of golf carts shall be administrated by the Chief of Police or his or her designee and applications for registration shall be made on a form prescribed by the village, said form to include a waiver and release of all claims against the village, a statement under oath or penalties of perjury that the golf cart proposed to be registered meets the definition under division (A) of this section and complies with the safety requirements provided for in division (D) herein, and shall be accompanied by an annual registration fee of $50 and proof of liability insurance for said golf cart having at least the limits as required from time to time for motor vehicles under the mandatory insurance law of the State of Illinois.
(2) Registered golf carts shall be issued a receipt which shall be kept with the registered golf cart and which shall be produced upon request of law enforcement or other village personnel.
(3) Registration shall be effective for a period of one year (May 1 to April 30) and shall be renewed annually in the same manner as the original registration. Registrations obtained after May 1 of a given year will still expire on April 30, requiring a new registration, even if the initial registration covered less than a full year.
(4) Registrations shall not be transferable in the event of change of ownership. If it is desired that more than one person is registered to operate a single golf cart, each person shall separately complete an application, be approved, and sign the release, in substantially the form prescribed by the village.
(5) Registrations shall be subject to revocation by the village in the event of a violation of the requirements of § 11-1426.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1 or any of the provisions of this chapter. A revocation shall be made in writing and shall set forth the provision(s) of statute or ordinance found to be violated. Revocations may be appealed in writing to the Village Board within 14 days from the issuance of the revocation, and if appealed, the Village Board shall hold a public hearing at which the affected owner may appear, present witnesses and evidence, and be represented by an attorney. The Village Board shall uphold the revocation if it determines by a preponderance of the evidence presented at the hearing that the violation which was the basis for the revocation occurred. During the appeal process, the revocation shall remain in full force and effect.
(6) In the event a registration is revoked due to a failure to maintain the required liability insurance or a failure to maintain the condition of the golf cart in compliance with this chapter, including but not limited to, maintaining the required safety systems, the village, in its discretion, may reinstate the registration upon documentation of reinstatement of the required insurance or of the repair or modification of the golf cart necessary to cure any deficiencies, as applicable, if the village determines that the violation was not intentional and is not likely to recur.
(F) Inspection of golf carts. Golf carts registered, or proposed to be registered, pursuant to this chapter, shall be subject to inspection by the Chief of Police or his or her designee, at any time to determine that said golf cart meets, and continues to meet, the definition thereof as set forth in this chapter, and meets the requirements of division (D) of this section, and particularly that the required safety systems and equipment are in operating condition.
(G) Mandatory insurance. The owner of any golf cart registered under this chapter shall continuously maintain liability insurance for said golf cart having at least the same limits as required from time to time for motor vehicles under the mandatory insurance law of the State of Illinois.
(H) Operation limited to licensed drivers. No person who is not properly licensed to operate motor vehicles on the roadways of the village shall operate a golf cart within the village pursuant to state law, 625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1(b-5).
(I) Other laws, regulations and ordinances. Golf carts shall be operated at all times in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois Vehicle Code, the rules of the road contained therein, and any other laws, regulations or ordinances governing the operation of motor vehicles in the village, as well as any laws, regulations or ordinances specifically pertaining to golf carts and the operation thereof.
(J) Violations. In addition to the revocation of the registration for golf carts as provided in this chapter, any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to revocation of any registration and a fine of not less than $75 and not more than $150. The provisions hereof for prosecuting violations of this chapter are not intended to supersede the Illinois Vehicle Code, or to in any way impair prosecution of violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code involving the operation of golf carts.
(Ord. 2017-04, passed 6-5-2017)