100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
SB0051

 

Introduced 1/11/2017, by Sen. Tim Bivins

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 5/15-107  from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-107

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the maximum length of a truck tractor in combination with a semitrailer may not exceed 65 feet (rather than 55 feet) overall dimension on all non-State highways. Removes the requirement that truck tractor-semitrailer combinations must have no more than a maximum 55 feet overall wheel base on Class III roadways and other non-designated State highways. Provides that the distance between the kingpin and the axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 42 feet 6 inches, unless the trailer or semitrailer is used for the transport of livestock.


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A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing
5Section 15-107 as follows:
 
6    (625 ILCS 5/15-107)   (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-107)
7    Sec. 15-107. Length of vehicles.
8    (a) The maximum length of a single vehicle on any highway
9of this State may not exceed 42 feet except the following:
10        (1) Semitrailers.
11        (2) Charter or regulated route buses may be up to 45
12    feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.
13    (a-1) A motor home as defined in Section 1-145.01 may be up
14to 45 feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.
15The length limitations described in this subsection (a-1) shall
16be exclusive of energy-absorbing bumpers and rear view mirrors.
17    (b) On all non-State highways, the maximum length of
18vehicles in combinations is as follows:
19        (1) A truck tractor in combination with a semitrailer
20    may not exceed 65 55 feet overall dimension.
21        (2) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer or truck
22    tractor semitrailer-semitrailer may not exceed 60 feet
23    overall dimension.

 

 

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1        (3) Combinations specially designed to transport motor
2    vehicles or boats may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.
3        (4) The distance between the kingpin and the center
4    axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination
5    with a truck tractor, may not exceed 42 feet 6 inches. The
6    limit contained in this paragraph (4) shall not apply to
7    trailers or semitrailers used for the transport of
8    livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.
9    Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting
10poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural
11nature that cannot readily be dismembered are exempt from
12length limitations, provided that no object may exceed 80 feet
13in length and the overall dimension of the vehicle including
14the load may not exceed 100 feet. This exemption does not apply
15to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Legal
16holidays referred to in this Section are the days on which the
17following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day;
18Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day;
19and Christmas Day.
20    Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
21route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or
22properties are exempt from length limitations, provided that
23during night operations every vehicle and its load must be
24equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both
25sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any projecting
26load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.

 

 

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1    A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
2combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6)
3of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
4limitations.
5    All other combinations not listed in this subsection (b)
6may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.
7    (c) Except as provided in subsections (c-1) and (c-2),
8combinations of vehicles may not exceed a total of 2 vehicles
9except the following:
10        (1) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one trailer.
11        (2) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one converter
12    dolly or one semitrailer.
13        (3) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one vehicle
14    that is defined in Chapter 1 as special mobile equipment,
15    provided the overall dimension does not exceed 60 feet.
16        (4) A truck in transit may draw 3 trucks in transit
17    coupled together by the triple saddlemount method.
18        (5) Recreational vehicles consisting of 3 vehicles,
19    provided the following:
20            (A) The total overall dimension does not exceed 60
21        feet.
22            (B) The towing vehicle is a properly registered
23        vehicle capable of towing another vehicle using a
24        fifth-wheel type assembly.
25            (C) The second vehicle in the combination of
26        vehicles is a recreational vehicle that is towed by a

 

 

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1        fifth-wheel assembly. This vehicle must be properly
2        registered and must be equipped with brakes,
3        regardless of weight.
4            (D) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the 3
5        vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer designed or
6        used for transporting a boat, all-terrain vehicle,
7        personal watercraft, or motorcycle.
8            (E) The towed vehicles may be only for the use of
9        the operator of the towing vehicle.
10            (F) All vehicles must be properly equipped with
11        operating brakes and safety equipment required by this
12        Code, except the additional brake requirement in
13        subdivision (C) of this subparagraph (5).
14        (6) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle
15    or combination of disabled vehicles, provided the towing
16    vehicle:
17            (A) Is specifically designed as a tow truck having
18        a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds
19        and equipped with air brakes, provided that air brakes
20        are required only if the towing vehicle is towing a
21        vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer combination
22        that is equipped with air brakes. For the purpose of
23        this subsection, gross vehicle weight rating, or GVWR,
24        means the value specified by the manufacturer as the
25        loaded weight of the tow truck.
26            (B) Is equipped with flashing, rotating, or

 

 

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1        oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet
2        in all directions.
3            (C) Is capable of utilizing the lighting and
4        braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination
5        of vehicles.
6            (D) Does not engage a tow exceeding 50 highway
7        miles from the initial point of wreck or disablement to
8        a place of repair. Any additional movement of the
9        vehicles may occur only upon issuance of authorization
10        for that movement under the provisions of Sections
11        15-301 through 15-319 of this Code.
12        The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
13    additional requirements regarding length limitations for a
14    tow truck towing another vehicle.
15        For purposes of this Section, a tow-dolly that merely
16    serves as substitute wheels for another legally licensed
17    vehicle is considered part of the licensed vehicle and not
18    a separate vehicle.
19        (7) Commercial vehicles consisting of 3 vehicles,
20    provided the following:
21            (A) The total overall dimension does not exceed 65
22        feet.
23            (B) The towing vehicle is a properly registered
24        vehicle capable of towing another vehicle using a
25        fifth-wheel type assembly or a goose-neck hitch ball.
26            (C) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the 3

 

 

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1        vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer.
2            (D) All vehicles must be properly equipped with
3        operating brakes and safety equipment required by this
4        Code.
5            (E) The combination of vehicles must be operated by
6        a person who holds a commercial driver's license (CDL).
7            (F) The combination of vehicles must be en route to
8        a location where new or used trailers are sold by an
9        Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer
10        dealer.
11    (c-1) A combination of 3 vehicles is allowed access to any
12State designated highway if:
13        (1) the length of neither towed vehicle exceeds 28.5
14    feet;
15        (2) the overall wheel base of the combination of
16    vehicles does not exceed 62 feet; and
17        (3) the combination of vehicles is en route to a
18    location where new or used trailers are sold by an Illinois
19    or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer dealer.
20    (c-2) A combination of 3 vehicles is allowed access from
21any State designated highway onto any county, township, or
22municipal highway for a distance of 5 highway miles for the
23purpose of delivery or collection of one or both of the towed
24vehicles if:
25        (1) the length of neither towed vehicle exceeds 28.5
26    feet;

 

 

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1        (2) the combination of vehicles does not exceed 40,000
2    pounds in gross weight and 8 feet 6 inches in width;
3        (3) there is no sign prohibiting that access;
4        (4) the route is not being used as a thoroughfare
5    between State designated highways; and
6        (5) the combination of vehicles is en route to a
7    location where new or used trailers are sold by an Illinois
8    or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer dealer.
9    (d) On Class I highways there are no overall length
10limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations
11provided:
12        (1) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with load,
13    in combination with a truck tractor may not exceed 53 feet.
14        (2) The distance between the kingpin and the center of
15    the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in
16    combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet 6
17    inches. The limit contained in this paragraph (2) shall not
18    apply to trailers or semi-trailers used for the transport
19    of livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.
20        (3) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or
21    with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer
22    or truck tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination, may
23    not exceed 28 feet 6 inches.
24        (4) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter 1,
25    may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
26        (5) Combinations of vehicles specifically designed to

 

 

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1    transport motor vehicles or boats may not exceed 65 feet
2    overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of
3    front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the
4    transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of this
5    Section.
6        (6) Stinger steered semitrailer vehicles specifically
7    designed to transport motor vehicles or boats and
8    automobile transporters, as defined in Chapter 1, may not
9    exceed 80 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is
10    inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the
11    overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in
12    paragraph (i) of this Section.
13        (7) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks coupled
14    together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed 97
15    feet overall dimension.
16        (8) A towaway trailer transporter combination may not
17    exceed 82 feet overall dimension.
18    Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting
19poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural
20nature that cannot readily be dismembered are exempt from
21length limitations, provided that no object may exceed 80 feet
22in length and the overall dimension of the vehicle including
23the load may not exceed 100 feet. This exemption does not apply
24to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Legal
25holidays referred to in this Section are the days on which the
26following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day;

 

 

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1Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day;
2and Christmas Day.
3    Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
4route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or
5properties are exempt from length limitations, provided that
6during night operations every vehicle and its load must be
7equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both
8sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any projecting
9load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
10    A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
11combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6)
12of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
13limitations.
14    The length limitations described in this paragraph (d)
15shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices,
16such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and
17other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary
18for safe and efficient operation; except that no device
19excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use
20the capability to carry cargo.
21    Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
22relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
23designation of highways under this paragraph (d).
24    (e) On Class II highways there are no overall length
25limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations,
26provided:

 

 

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1        (1) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with load,
2    in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 53 feet
3    overall dimension.
4        (2) The distance between the kingpin and the center of
5    the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in
6    combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet 6
7    inches. The limit contained in this paragraph (2) shall not
8    apply to trailers or semi-trailers used for the transport
9    of livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.
10        (3) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer or truck
11    tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination may not exceed
12    65 feet in dimension from front axle to rear axle.
13        (4) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or
14    with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer
15    or truck tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination, may
16    not exceed 28 feet 6 inches.
17        (5) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter 1,
18    may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
19        (6) A combination of vehicles, specifically designed
20    to transport motor vehicles or boats, may not exceed 65
21    feet overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive
22    of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of
23    the transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of
24    this Section.
25        (7) Stinger steered semitrailer vehicles specifically
26    designed to transport motor vehicles or boats, may not

 

 

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1    exceed 80 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is
2    inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the
3    overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in
4    paragraph (i) of this Section.
5        (8) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks coupled
6    together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed 97
7    feet overall dimension.
8        (9) A towaway trailer transporter combination may not
9    exceed 82 feet overall dimension.
10    Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting
11poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural
12nature that cannot readily be dismembered are exempt from
13length limitations, provided that no object may exceed 80 feet
14in length and the overall dimension of the vehicle including
15the load may not exceed 100 feet. This exemption does not apply
16to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Legal
17holidays referred to in this Section are the days on which the
18following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day;
19Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day;
20and Christmas Day.
21    Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
22route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or
23properties are exempt from length limitations, provided that
24during night operations every vehicle and its load must be
25equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both
26sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any projecting

 

 

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1load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
2    A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
3combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6)
4of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
5limitations.
6    Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
7under their jurisdiction, may also by ordinance or resolution
8allow length limitations of this subsection (e).
9    The length limitations described in this paragraph (e)
10shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices,
11such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and
12other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary
13for safe and efficient operation; except that no device
14excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use
15the capability to carry cargo.
16    Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
17relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
18designation of highways under this paragraph (e).
19    (e-1) Combinations of vehicles not exceeding 65 feet
20overall length are allowed access as follows:
21        (1) From any State designated highway onto any county,
22    township, or municipal highway for a distance of 5 highway
23    miles for the purpose of loading and unloading, provided:
24            (A) The vehicle does not exceed 80,000 pounds in
25        gross weight and 8 feet 6 inches in width.
26            (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.

 

 

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1            (C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare
2        between State designated highways.
3        (2) From any State designated highway onto any county
4    or township highway for a distance of 5 highway miles or
5    onto any municipal highway for a distance of one highway
6    mile for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs, and rest,
7    provided:
8            (A) The vehicle does not exceed 80,000 pounds in
9        gross weight and 8 feet 6 inches in width.
10            (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
11            (C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare
12        between State designated highways.
13    (e-2) Except as provided in subsection (e-3), combinations
14of vehicles over 65 feet in length, with no overall length
15limitation except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of
16this Section, are allowed access as follows:
17        (1) From a Class I highway onto any street or highway
18    for a distance of one highway mile for the purpose of
19    loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest,
20    provided there is no sign prohibiting that access.
21        (2) From a Class I or Class II highway onto any State
22    highway or any locally designated highway for a distance of
23    5 highway miles for the purpose of loading, unloading,
24    food, fuel, repairs, and rest.
25    (e-3) Combinations of vehicles over 65 feet in length
26operated by household goods carriers or towaway trailer

 

 

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1transporter combinations, with no overall length limitations
2except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this Section,
3have unlimited access to points of loading, unloading, or
4delivery to or from a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer.
5    (f) On Class III and other non-designated State highways,
6the length limitations for vehicles in combination are as
7follows:
8        (1) Truck tractor-semitrailer combinations, must
9    comply with either a maximum 55 feet overall wheel base or
10    a maximum 65 feet extreme overall dimension.
11        (2) Semitrailers, unladen or with load, may not exceed
12    53 feet overall dimension.
13        (3) No truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer or truck
14    tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination may exceed 60
15    feet extreme overall dimension.
16        (4) The distance between the kingpin and the center
17    axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination
18    with a truck tractor, may not exceed 42 feet 6 inches. The
19    limit contained in this paragraph (4) shall not apply to
20    trailers or semi-trailers used for the transport of
21    livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.
22    (g) Length limitations in the preceding subsections of this
23Section 15-107 do not apply to the following:
24        (1) Vehicles operated in the daytime, except on
25    Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, when transporting
26    poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural

 

 

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1    nature that cannot readily be dismembered, provided the
2    overall length of vehicle and load may not exceed 100 feet
3    and no object exceeding 80 feet in length may be
4    transported unless a permit has been obtained as authorized
5    in Section 15-301.
6        (2) Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility
7    while en route to make emergency repairs to public service
8    facilities or properties, but during night operation every
9    vehicle and its load must be equipped with a sufficient
10    number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps
11    upon the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly
12    mark the dimensions of the load.
13        (3) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle
14    or combination of disabled vehicles, provided the towing
15    vehicle meets the following conditions:
16            (A) It is specifically designed as a tow truck
17        having a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000
18        pounds and equipped with air brakes, provided that air
19        brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is
20        towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer
21        combination that is equipped with air brakes.
22            (B) It is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
23        oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet
24        in all directions.
25            (C) It is capable of utilizing the lighting and
26        braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination

 

 

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1        of vehicles.
2            (D) It does not engage in a tow exceeding 50 miles
3        from the initial point of wreck or disablement.
4    The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
5additional requirements regarding length limitations for a tow
6truck towing another vehicle. The towing vehicle, however, may
7tow any disabled vehicle from the initial point of wreck or
8disablement to a point where repairs are actually to occur.
9This movement shall be valid only on State routes. The tower
10must abide by posted bridge weight limits.
11    For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
12rating, or GVWR, shall mean the value specified by the
13manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck. Legal
14holidays referred to in this Section shall be specified as the
15day on which the following traditional holidays are celebrated:
16    New Year's Day;
17    Memorial Day;
18    Independence Day;
19    Labor Day;
20    Thanksgiving Day; and
21    Christmas Day.
22    (h) The load upon any vehicle operated alone, or the load
23upon the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles, shall not
24extend more than 3 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle
25or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a
26front bumper. The provisions of this subsection (h) shall not

 

 

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1apply to any vehicle or combination of vehicles specifically
2designed for the collection and transportation of waste,
3garbage, or recyclable materials during the vehicle's
4operation in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or
5recyclable materials if the vehicle is traveling at a speed not
6in excess of 15 miles per hour during the vehicle's operation
7and in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or recyclable
8materials. However, in no instance shall the load extend more
9than 7 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle or the front
10bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a front bumper.
11    (i) The load upon the front vehicle of an automobile
12transporter or a stinger-steered vehicle specifically designed
13to transport motor vehicles shall not extend more than 4 feet
14beyond the foremost part of the transporting vehicle and the
15load upon the rear transporting vehicle shall not extend more
16than 6 feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle.
17This paragraph shall only be applicable upon highways
18designated in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section.
19    (j) Articulated vehicles comprised of 2 sections, neither
20of which exceeds a length of 42 feet, designed for the carrying
21of more than 10 persons, may be up to 60 feet in length, not
22including energy absorbing bumpers, provided that the vehicles
23are:
24        1. operated by or for any public body or motor carrier
25    authorized by law to provide public transportation
26    services; or

 

 

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1        2. operated in local public transportation service by
2    any other person and the municipality in which the service
3    is to be provided approved the operation of the vehicle.
4    (j-1) (Blank).
5    (k) Any person who is convicted of violating this Section
6is subject to the penalty as provided in paragraph (b) of
7Section 15-113.
8    (l) (Blank).
9(Source: P.A. 99-717, eff. 8-5-16.)