IllinoisIllinois sets rules for electric devices, cycles, and ride-on toys
Starting January 1, 2027, riders of electric devices and motor driven cycles must follow rules for where they ride, what equipment they use, and who may ride with them.
What it does
Riders age 16 or older may use electric skateboards, unicycles, and scooters on some roads and bike paths, but limits apply to sidewalks, faster roads, and devices traveling over 28 miles per hour.
Motor driven cycle riders need a driver’s license and must follow passenger and equipment rules, while staying off sidewalks, bike facilities, and interstate highways.
Children’s battery-powered ride-on toys may be used on sidewalks and bike paths, but certain local public bodies may bar them from property they control.
Argument forClear riding rules and required brakes and lights could help riders and others share roads and paths more safely.
Argument againstRiders could lose access to some routes or face impoundment and fees if they break the rules, including age, location, or equipment requirements.
More detail
People may ride electric micromobility devices on some roads and bike paths, subject to limits. These rules cover lightweight, low-speed electric devices for personal travel, including electric skateboards, unicycles, and scooters. They exclude assistive mobility devices and toy vehicles. Riders must be at least 16 and may not use sidewalks, interstate highways, or roads with speed limits over 35 miles per hour unless there is a bike lane. A device that can and does travel over 28 miles per hour cannot be used on public highways, bike lanes, or bike paths. Devices must have working brakes and be in good condition. At night, they need a visible white front light and rear reflector or red light. Riders may not use them while under the influence, carry passengers unless the device was made for more than one person, or alter the device’s speed capability. Some state agencies and park, forest preserve, conservation, or transit districts may bar or regulate use on paths they control. These provisions take effect January 1, 2027.
Motor driven cycle riders must follow rules for licenses, roads, passengers, and equipment. These rules apply to motor driven cycles, including certain electric cycles rated above 750 watts and up to 8,000 watts. Riders must have a valid driver’s license. A person age 16 or 17 may ride with an instruction permit during daylight under the direct supervision of a licensed cycle operator age 21 or older with at least one year of experience. Cycles may not be used on sidewalks, bike facilities, or interstate highways, and may be barred from public land. A cycle may carry a passenger only if made for one; a rider under 18 may carry only a sibling, stepsibling, child, or stepchild. Cycles must meet safety and equipment rules, and owners must carry required insurance. Sellers may not mislead buyers about the rules; violations may lead to civil penalties or impoundment. Owners of electric motor driven cycles rated above 750 watts and up to 8,000 watts bought new on or after January 1, 2027, must apply for a title if the cycle has a vehicle identification number. A cycle must be titled and registered to be used on public highways.
Toy vehicles may be used only on sidewalks and bike paths, with exceptions for certain public properties. These rules cover battery-powered ride-on toys designed for children under 8. Toy vehicles are battery-powered ride-on toys designed for children under 8 and speeds no higher than 10 miles per hour. Riders have the rights and duties of pedestrians, and drivers must yield to them. A municipality, park district, forest preserve district, conservation district, or transit district may prohibit toy vehicles on property it owns, manages, or leases. People may not modify a toy vehicle to exceed its original speed capability, and parents or guardians may not knowingly allow a child or ward to break the rules. These provisions take effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 26Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0854Latest
- Aug 26Effective Date January 1, 2027
- Aug 26Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 30Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- Jun 1Passed Both Houses
- Jun 1Senate Concurs
- Jun 13/5 Vote Required
- Jun 1House Floor Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs 048-007-000
- Jun 1House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Be Approved for Consideration Assignments
- Jun 1House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Assignments
- Jun 1House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Filed with Secretary Sen. Ram VillivalamMinor
- Jun 1Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Darby A. Hills
- Jun 1Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1 - June 1, 2026
- Jun 1Secretary's Desk - Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1
- Jun 1Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Martha Deuter
- Jun 1Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Ann M. Williams
- Jun 1Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin Schmidt
- Jun 1Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Brandun Schweizer
- Jun 1Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 084-016-000Passed House
- Jun 13/5 Vote Required
- Jun 1Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- Jun 1House Floor Amendment No. 1 AdoptedMajor
- May 31Third Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) June 2, 2026
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Concurrence, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Lower
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Bradley Fritts
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Regan Deering
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicole La Ha
- May 31Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro
- May 31House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Transportation: Vehicles & Safety; 011-000-000Minor
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jay Hoffman
- May 30House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Transportation: Vehicles & Safety
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 30Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 30Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 30Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Brad Stephens
- May 30Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Kelly
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Nabeela Syed
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Matt Hanson
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Anthony DeLuca
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Cochran
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Lilian Jiménez
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Edgar González, Jr.
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Aarón M. Ortíz
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Norma Hernandez
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Mary Gill
- May 30House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
- May 30House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Barbara HernandezMinor
- May 30Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 30Do Pass / Short Debate Executive Committee; 012-000-000
- May 29Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Barbara Hernandez
- May 25Committee/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2026
- May 25Assigned to Executive CommitteeMinor
- May 15Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
- May 7Committee Deadline Extended-Rule 9(b) May 15, 2026
- Apr 27Assigned to Executive CommitteeMinor
- Apr 22Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Michael J. Kelly
- Apr 16Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy
- Apr 15Referred to Rules Committee
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 15First ReadingMinor
- Apr 15Chief House Sponsor Rep. Kevin John Olickal
- Apr 15Arrived in HouseMinor
- Apr 15Third Reading - Passed; 055-000-000Passed Senate
- Apr 14Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 15, 2026
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 14Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 14Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading April 15, 2026Minor
- Apr 14Do Pass as Amended Transportation; 017-000-000
- Apr 14Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 AdoptedMajor
- Mar 27Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 24, 2026
- Mar 13Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026
- Mar 10Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Transportation
- Mar 6Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
- Mar 6Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Ram VillivalamMinor
- Mar 3Assigned to TransportationMinor
- Feb 5Referred to Assignments
- Feb 5First ReadingMinor
- Feb 5Filed with Secretary by Sen. Ram VillivalamIntroduced
TransportationPublic SafetyDisability Rights