County Looking To Amend ATV/UTV Ordinance

Crawford County is looking to amend the way it permits ATV/UTV permits, making it easier for out-of-town residents to obtain one.

Clerk John Martin presented the plan to commissioners on Tuesday.

The changes would need to be approved by the prosecuting attorney’s office and voted on by the commissioners.

Martin is proposing that the county do away with some of the paperwork requirements and allow businesses — like liveries — purchase a bundle of permits.

“The permits that aren’t used can be returned,” he said.

Those permits could be sold during the weekend when county offices are closed.

Martin also is proposing dropping the price of a permit from $35 to $20.

Permit seekers would need to show proof of insurance and a license.

The clerk said he believes these changes would keep the county compliant with state statutes.

The current ordinance states that permit seekers must have proof of taxes and proof of ownership.

However, Martin said this creates a burden on them. ATVs and UTVs don’t have to be titled.

Martin said he doesn’t care if an Illinois resident who wants to buy a permit for the weekend is up to date on their home county’s taxes.

Most of the people seeking the permits are from outside the county, he said.

“I would say it’s a 2-to-1 ratio of people outside the county to inside the county,” Martin said.

He also proposed a one-time permit purchase that would be good for the year.

Ideally, the permit process would open in the middle of March since the beginning of the year is consumed with the budget process.