95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
SB0393

 

Introduced 2/7/2007, by Sen. Dr. Michael W. Frerichs

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. In provisions restricting the operation of certain electronically-powered four-wheeled motor vehicles and defining those vehicles as "neighborhood electric vehicles", provides that those restrictions also apply to certain gasoline-powered four-wheeled motor vehicle with an engine displacement under 1,200 cubic centimeters and changes the term to "neighborhood vehicles". Effective immediately.


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A BILL FOR

 

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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 changing
5 Section 11-1426.1 as follows:
 
6     (625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1)
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 (or a self-propelled,
12 gasoline-powered four-wheeled motor vehicle with an engine
13 displacement under 1,200 cubic centimeters) which is capable of
14 attaining in one mile a speed of more than 20 miles per hour,
15 but not more than 25 miles per hour, and which conforms to
16 federal regulations under Title 49 C.F.R. Part 571.500.
17     (b) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, it is
18 unlawful for any person to drive or operate a neighborhood
19 electric vehicle upon any street, highway, or roadway in this
20 State. If the operation of a neighborhood electric vehicle is
21 authorized under subsection (d), the neighborhood electric
22 vehicle may be operated only on streets where the posted speed
23 limit is 35 miles per hour or less. This subsection (b) does

 

 

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1 not prohibit a neighborhood electric vehicle from crossing a
2 road or street at an intersection where the road or street has
3 a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
4     (b-5) A person may not operate a neighborhood electric
5 vehicle upon any street, highway, or roadway in this State
6 unless he or she has a valid Illinois driver's license issued
7 in his or her name by the Secretary of State.
8     (c) No person operating a neighborhood electric vehicle
9 shall make a direct crossing upon or across any highway under
10 the jurisdiction of the State, tollroad, interstate highway, or
11 controlled access highway in this State.
12     (d) A municipality, township, county, or other unit of
13 local government may authorize, by ordinance or resolution, the
14 operation of neighborhood electric vehicles on roadways under
15 its jurisdiction if the unit of local government determines
16 that the public safety will not be jeopardized. The Department
17 may authorize the operation of neighborhood electric vehicles
18 on the roadways under its jurisdiction if the Department
19 determines that the public safety will not be jeopardized.
20     Before permitting the operation of neighborhood electric
21 vehicles on its roadways, a municipality, township, county,
22 other unit of local government, or the Department must consider
23 the volume, speed, and character of traffic on the roadway and
24 determine whether neighborhood electric vehicles may safely
25 travel on or cross the roadway. Upon determining that
26 neighborhood electric vehicles may safely operate on a roadway

 

 

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1 and the adoption of an ordinance or resolution by a
2 municipality, township, county, or other unit of local
3 government, or authorization by the Department, appropriate
4 signs shall be posted.
5     If a roadway is under the jurisdiction of more than one
6 unit of government, neighborhood electric vehicles may not be
7 operated on the roadway unless each unit of government agrees
8 and takes action as provided in this subsection.
9     (e) No neighborhood electric vehicle may be operated on a
10 roadway unless, at a minimum, it has the following: brakes, a
11 steering apparatus, tires, a rearview mirror, red
12 reflectorized warning devices in the front and rear, a slow
13 moving emblem (as required of other vehicles in Section 12-709
14 of this Code) on the rear of the neighborhood electric vehicle,
15 a headlight that emits a white light visible from a distance of
16 500 feet to the front, a tail lamp that emits a red light
17 visible from at least 100 feet from the rear, brake lights, and
18 turn signals. When operated on a roadway, a neighborhood
19 electric vehicle shall have its headlight and tail lamps
20 lighted as required by Section 12-201 of this Code.
21     (f) A person who drives or is in actual physical control of
22 a neighborhood electric vehicle on a roadway while under the
23 influence is subject to Sections 11-500 through 11-502 of this
24 Code.
25 (Source: P.A. 94-298, eff. 1-1-06.)
 
26     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon

 

 

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1 becoming law.