The Worth Board of Trustees made it official last week, approving an ordinance that restricts anyone under 18 from riding e-scooters in the village.
The ordinance approved at the Worth Village Board meeting on Nov. 4 regulates the use of non-registered motor driven vehicles. The board had originally adopted state law by not allowing anyone to ride an e-scooter under the age of 18.
The amended ordinance states that an offender would be initially fined $50. Some villages have approved larger fines.
Worth now joins local communities Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn that have also approved ordinances that restrict the use of e-scooters in their villages.
Attorney Katie Nagy pointed out that the new ordinance will not take effect until Jan. 1, 2026, to allow village officials to inform schools and send out information about the change.
“This will allow time for a buffer period,” Nagy said.
Mayor Mary Werner agreed that they will need some time to get the word out about the amended ordinance.
“We want to give parents notice so they don’t go out and buy these things for Christmas,” Werner said.
Werner and trustees said an ordinance had to be introduced due to reports of several close calls regarding youths riding e-scooters recklessly through the village. The board agreed that the best way to alleviate any serious injuries is to eliminate the use of e-scooters by riders under age 18.
In other news, the mayor appointed the law office of Attorney Daniel Calandriello to serve as the village adjudication officer for a term to expire on May 1, 2026.
Village Clerk Bonnie Price said that W.W. Timbers Inc., has been approved to repair the trusses at the North Palos Fire Station. Staff from W.W. Timbers will complete an inspection of the trusses during repairs to see if there is any additional damage not shown on the plans.
W.W. Timbers was approved to do the work for $46,980. The bidding was waived for the emergency project.
The Worth Police Department is purchasing six Taster electronic control devices and related accessories. The purchase will be funded through a grant award from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB).
The new Tasers will replace older generation models currently in service. The grant award from ILETSB covers the $21,600 for the purchase of the Tasers. The remaining balance will be paid for by using funds from the Worth Police Department’s Asset Forfeiture accounts.
Trustee Rich Dziedzic, who is the head of the Worth Car Cruisers Club, said the organization’s Trunk or Treats event last month was a success.
“Trunk of Treats was fantastic,” Dziedzic said. “It was great for those who came out and we had a lot of people. The parking lot was full.”
Dziedzic also mentioned that the Cruisers Christmas Party will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, at the Garden Chalet, 11000 S. Ridgeland Ave.
Trustee Laura Packwood, who chairs the golf committee, said the last golf tournament of the year, the Turkey Shoot-Out, will take place Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Water’s Edge Golf Course, 7205 W. 115th St. The tournament begins at 10 a.m. and participants can register online.
Packwood said that brunches will be held every Sunday at the Edge Bar and Grill. Burger Nights will continue at 7 p.m. Mondays. “Breakfast With Santa” will take place on Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Edge Bar and Grill. A couple of sessions will be held that day.
Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Post 991, 11001 S. Depot St. The dinner includes turkey, traditional dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and dessert
The fee is $18 for adults and $9 for children under 12 years of age. Kids under the age of 3 can eat for free.
The Worth Park District will hold the “Rake-In the Deals” community pop-up rummage sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at the Terrace Centre gym, 11500 S. Beloit Ave.
The Worth Lions Club will hold its “Ton of Food” Drive Saturday, Nov. 22. Pickup will occur at homes and the organization asks to place non-perishable food outside the front door by 8:30 a.m.
The club is accepting canned vegetables, canned fruit, beans, instant potatoes, soups, stuffing mix, peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna, cranberry sauce, macaroni and cheese, rice, noodles, pasta, spaghetti sauce, and cereal.