Legalizing the use of golf carts in Clinton was proposed by a small group of Clinton residents Monday night at the Clinton City Council meeting.

Led by Nate Ennis, they are seeking the Council allow for golf carts to be an appropriate means of transportation on city streets. Ennis says it would be a great convenience to him and others who live, work and do business in the city.

Other communities in central Illinois have recently taken up legalizing the use of golf carts on city streets but Ennis points out Monticello is likely a good, close comparison for Clinton and he indicates they have had very little issue with such a measure.

Clinton Mayor Roger Cyrulik expressed concerns over perhaps drivers of motor vehicles getting distracted and causing problems for those drivers of the golf carts.

Public Safety Commissioner Dan Ballenger offered a stern warning about anyone getting hurt in these vehicles and felt it would be a good idea to do this on a trial basis. He would become very concerned if even one person was killed.

Commissioner John Wise offered his support for the idea noting this issue has come up before, however, since that time, state laws have adjusted which would allow for a golf cart-type vehicle to cross a major roadway like Business 51, Route 54 and Route 10.

Commissioner Wise also echoed support for Commissioner Ballenger's idea to offer this as a trial and revisit it in a year or sooner under the event there are any incidents regarding motorists and golf cart drivers. The two also indicated they would like to see regulations require seatbelts and proper turn signals.