Frankfort Township Road Commissioner Warns County Panel Against Low-Speed Vehicles

Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026

Article Summary: The Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee moved forward with a ban on low-speed vehicles on county roadways following testimony from Frankfort Township Road Commissioner Bill Carlson. Officials clarified that the ban applies only to county-maintained roads, leaving townships to create their own regulations.

Ordinance Review Key Points:

• Safety Concerns: Frankfort Township Road Commissioner Bill Carlson testified that low-speed vehicles (LSVs) and golf carts present a “major issue” and “conscience liability” due to speed differentials with regular traffic.

• Jurisdictional Limits: Assistant State’s Attorney Phil Mock clarified that the county can only regulate these vehicles on county-maintained highways, not township or municipal roads.

• Committee Vote: The committee voted 5-1 to move the amended Chapter 75 to the Executive Committee, with Board Member Daniel Butler voting against the measure.

The Will County Board Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, advanced an ordinance amendment that effectively bans low-speed vehicles from county-maintained roadways, following warnings about public safety from a local highway official.

During the meeting, the committee suspended its rules to allow Frankfort Township Road Commissioner Bill Carlson to speak regarding proposed changes to Chapter 75 of the county code. Carlson, who also serves as president of the Will County Association, expressed deep concern regarding the proliferation of low-speed vehicles (LSVs) and golf carts on local roads.

“The golf carts are totally illegal, 100%,” Carlson told the committee, distinguishing them from LSVs which have state registration, lights, and seatbelts but are limited to 25 mph. Despite the safety features of LSVs, Carlson warned of the dangers they pose when sharing the road with faster traffic.

“Guaranteed somebody’s going to, you know, it could be my plow truck in the middle of the night, run in them, rear-end them,” Carlson said. “It’s a major issue.”

Assistant State’s Attorney Phil Mock explained that the county’s authority is limited. Under the state highway code, the county can only ban these vehicles on county highways. Townships and municipalities must pass their own resolutions to ban them within their specific jurisdictions.

“We can’t legislate for the township roads,” Mock said. “So the township can create their own rules.”

Carlson indicated he intended to draft a resolution for Frankfort Township immediately following the clarification. “I don’t want that on my conscience and I don’t think any of my guys do,” Carlson said regarding potential accidents involving LSVs.

Committee Member Jim Richmond supported the ban, noting the potential for liability. “They’re going to go after whoever’s got the deepest pockets,” Richmond said.

The committee voted 5-1 to move the amended ordinance, which includes the ban on LSVs on county streets, to the Executive Committee. Member Daniel Butler was the sole opposing vote.