Lombard board approves first reading of ordinance regulating low-speed electric scooters

The Lombard Village Board of Trustees on May 1 approved on first reading an ordinance that allows but tightly regulates low-speed electric scooters in the village, prohibiting their use on higher-speed and specified downtown streets and setting an education-first enforcement plan.

The ordinance, introduced as a separate action at the meeting, was approved by voice/roll call after a presentation from Lombard Police Chief Graige and brief comments from trustees. Chief Graige said the measure is driven by a new Illinois law and local safety concerns: "Under state law, a low speed electric scooter is defined as a scooter that weighs less than a hundred pounds that has 2 or 3 wheels, handlebars, a floorboard that can be stood upon while riding and is solely powered by electric motor and human power and whose maximum speed with or without human propulsion is more no more than 10 miles per hour." The board voted unanimously in favor of the ordinance on first reading.

Why it matters: the state public act that took effect Aug. 9, 2024, effectively bans scooter operation in Illinois municipalities unless the local unit of government explicitly authorizes it and sets rules. Lombard's ordinance seeks to allow residents who already own scooters to use them lawfully while limiting where and how they can be ridden to reduce collisions and conflicts in busy areas.

Key provisions and limits - Definition and baseline: the ordinance aligns with the state’s definition of a "low speed electric scooter" (under 100 pounds, 2–3 wheels, top speed no greater than 10 mph) and retains state requirements such as age restrictions and equipment standards described by Chief Graige. - Road restrictions: Lombard proposes to prohibit scooter operation on roadways with speed limits over 30 mph and on any four-lane road within the village. Chief Graige noted the state law already bars scooters on state highways; the local rule is stricter in parts of the village. - Downtown prohibition: the ordinance would bar operation on defined downtown corridors, including St. Charles (between Elizabeth and Martha), Lincoln (between St. Charles and Michael Maguire), Park Avenue (between Orchard Terrace and Michael Maguire), Main Street (between Grove and Parkside), and Elizabeth Street (between St. Charles and Michael Maguire Drive). - Equipment/parking: the ordinance treats scooter parking like bicycle parking and echoes state equipment expectations (e.g., lights visible 500 feet, working brakes). The state law also bars sirens and requires riders to be at least 18 years old.

Implementation and enforcement Chief Graige told trustees the village will emphasize public education over citations. The plan presented includes social media, web notices, e-newsletters, flyers, ground markings in the downtown core reading "walk your wheels," and coordination with schools so families are informed before summer. The police department intends to begin public contacts and hand out educational materials starting May 15; outreach to schools and initial web/social posts were planned to begin May 5, with school distribution targeted by May 12. Graige said officers will be more likely to hand out information than issue tickets during the initial transition to the ordinance.

Trustee comments and concerns Trustee Egan, who said he spends a lot of time in the downtown area, supported the ordinance on safety grounds: "I probably spend too much time in our downtown... I've seen a lot of close calls," he said, urging parents and riders to exercise caution. Trustee Levesque and others also voiced support and asked for robust community notice; several trustees emphasized safety around neighborhood side streets such as Elizabeth and Grove, where families have expressed concerns about speed.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance (first reading) amending Village of Lombard traffic code for low-speed electric scooters: motion moved and seconded; roll-call vote recorded as unanimous "Aye" by present trustees; outcome: approved on first reading. - Consent agenda (multiple items including approval of accounts payable and payroll, vehicle purchases, class J licenses for summer events, and fireworks/display agreements): motion to approve consent agenda was moved and seconded and approved by roll call. (Details of consent items are listed below.)

Consent agenda highlights (approved) - Accounts payable: $746,484.08 (period ending 04/18/2025) and $1,585,746.32 (period ending 04/25/2025). - Village payroll: $1,073,746.05 (period ending 04/19/2025). - Vehicle purchases: waiver of bids and award to Curry Motors of Frankfort, IL, $146,958 for three Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; waiver of bids and award to Hagerty Ford of West Chicago, IL, $29,568 for one Ford Bronco Sport; ordinances declaring identified older units surplus and authorizing sale/disposal. - Ordinances and licensing: class J licenses tied to local businesses for cruise nights and summer concerts; amusement tax ordinance amendments; and fireworks production/display agreements for July 4, 2025 at Madison Meadow Park (vendor: Mad Bomber Fireworks Productions, $49,500) and an agreement with the Lombard Park District.

What was not decided or left unspecified The vote on the scooter ordinance was for first reading approval. The transcript does not specify any effective date for the ordinance or final adoption schedule beyond the board's first-reading approval and the described outreach timeline. Fines or exact citation schedules were not specified; Chief Graige emphasized education as the primary near-term tool.

Meeting context The ordinance was discussed after the consent agenda during the Lombard Village Board meeting on May 1. Trustees referenced prior review by the public safety and transportation committee on March 5. The implementation plan depends primarily on village departments (Police and Public Works) for outreach and marking downtown areas; no external approvals were identified in the transcript.

Sources and attribution Statements and direct quotations in this report are taken from the May 1, 2025 Lombard Village Board of Trustees meeting transcript. Direct quotes are attributed to speakers as identified in the record.