Beecher to Draft Ordinances Regulating Scooters and Fishing in Village Ponds

Article Summary: The Beecher Village Board is moving to create new local laws governing the use of electric scooters and fishing in village-owned ponds. Citing safety concerns and resident inquiries, trustees have directed the village attorney to draft ordinances that will establish clear rules, enforcement measures, and fine structures for both activities.

Beecher Village Board Key Points:

• An ordinance will be drafted to regulate motorized scooters, using a similar law in Peotone as a model, to address violations of state law.

• A separate ordinance will establish rules for fishing in three of four village-owned ponds, including catch-and-release policies and potential age restrictions.

• The scooter ordinance aims to create local fines that may be less severe than state penalties, particularly for juvenile offenders.

BEECHER – The Village of Beecher is taking steps to regulate two popular recreational activities, directing its attorney to draft new ordinances that will set rules for fishing in village ponds and the use of motorized electric scooters.

The initiatives were discussed during a combined committee meeting and advanced by the Village Board at its August 11 meeting.

Trustee Joe Tieri, Chair of the Public Safety Committee, reported that an ordinance will be created to make scooter regulations enforceable under local law. The move is a response to resident questions and a growing number of scooters in town, which currently operate in violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

“These scooters are currently not allowed under state law, so the Village cannot pass any ordinance less stringent than state law,” the meeting minutes noted. The goal is to establish a local fine structure, similar to an ordinance approved in Peotone. Officials hope this will provide a more appropriate enforcement tool than state-level charges, especially for young riders.

“Technically, if they’re on the roadway, it could penalize them as a juvenile because we would be arresting them for driving a motor vehicle without a driver’s license,” Trustee Tieri explained. The local ordinance would aim to “minimize” such severe consequences while still addressing the safety issues.

In a separate action, the board moved forward with an ordinance for fishing in village-owned ponds. The rules will apply to three of the four ponds and will mandate catch-and-release. The ordinance will also include provisions for signage, designated fishing areas to respect private property, and potential age restrictions, such as requiring adult supervision for children under 12. State law requiring a fishing license for those 16 and older will apply.

Both motions to direct the village attorney to draft the respective ordinances were approved unanimously. The proposed laws will be brought back to the board for a final vote at a future meeting.