Residents in many small Illinois communities are getting the green light to zip around town in golf carts.

According to reports, more towns are adopting ordinances to accommodate golf carts, which are growing in popularity as an alternative to cars and trucks.

Most communities with 10,000 or fewer residents in Champaign, Douglas, Piatt and Vermilion communities have ordinances allowing golf carts on local streets.

Hoopeston Police Chief Mark Drollinger helped draft an ordinance in 2009 when gas prices were around $4 a gallon. He says carts have grown in popularity ever since.

He says he initially had safety concerns, but drivers have been cautious.

Gibson City Police Chief Steve Cushman says his department issued 100 permits this year, up from 34 in 2010.

The issue came up two years ago in Clinton but was never called for a vote.