95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
HB0918

 

Introduced 2/7/2007, by Rep. William B. Black

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 5/15-102   from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-102
625 ILCS 5/15-111   from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-111

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that certain large vehicles have access from any designated (rather than any State designated) highway onto any highway for the necessary distance (rather than for 5 highway miles) for purposes of loading or unloading. Provides that these vehicles have access from any designated (rather than any State designated) highway onto any State, county, or township highway for the necessary distance (rather than for 5 highway miles) for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs, and rest.


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB0918 LRB095 04234 DRH 24275 b

1     AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing
5 Sections 15-102 and 15-111 as follows:
 
6     (625 ILCS 5/15-102)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-102)
7     Sec. 15-102. Width of Vehicles.
8     (a) On Class III and non-designated State and local
9 highways, the total outside width of any vehicle or load
10 thereon shall not exceed 8 feet.
11     (b) Except during those times when, due to insufficient
12 light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and
13 vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a
14 distance of 1000 feet, the following vehicles may exceed the 8
15 feet limitation during the period from a half hour before
16 sunrise to a half hour after sunset:
17         (1) Loads of hay, straw or other similar farm products
18     provided that the load is not more than 12 feet wide.
19         (2) Implements of husbandry being transported on
20     another vehicle and the transporting vehicle while loaded.
21         The following requirements apply to the transportation
22     on another vehicle of an implement of husbandry wider than
23     8 feet 6 inches on the National System of Interstate and

 

 

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1     Defense Highways or other highways in the system of State
2     highways:
3             (A) The driver of a vehicle transporting an
4         implement of husbandry that exceeds 8 feet 6 inches in
5         width shall obey all traffic laws and shall check the
6         roadways prior to making a movement in order to ensure
7         that adequate clearance is available for the movement.
8         It is prima facie evidence that the driver of a vehicle
9         transporting an implement of husbandry has failed to
10         check the roadway prior to making a movement if the
11         vehicle is involved in a collision with a bridge,
12         overpass, fixed structure, or properly placed traffic
13         control device or if the vehicle blocks traffic due to
14         its inability to proceed because of a bridge, overpass,
15         fixed structure, or properly placed traffic control
16         device.
17             (B) Flags shall be displayed so as to wave freely
18         at the extremities of overwidth objects and at the
19         extreme ends of all protrusions, projections, and
20         overhangs. All flags shall be clean, bright red flags
21         with no advertising, wording, emblem, or insignia
22         inscribed upon them and at least 18 inches square.
23             (C) "OVERSIZE LOAD" signs are mandatory on the
24         front and rear of all vehicles with loads over 10 feet
25         wide. These signs must have 12-inch high black letters
26         with a 2-inch stroke on a yellow sign that is 7 feet

 

 

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1         wide by 18 inches high.
2             (D) One civilian escort vehicle is required for a
3         load that exceeds 14 feet 6 inches in width and 2
4         civilian escort vehicles are required for a load that
5         exceeds 16 feet in width on the National System of
6         Interstate and Defense Highways or other highways in
7         the system of State highways.
8             (E) The requirements for a civilian escort vehicle
9         and driver are as follows:
10                 (1) The civilian escort vehicle shall be a
11             passenger car or a second division vehicle not
12             exceeding a gross vehicle weight of 8,000 pounds
13             that is designed to afford clear and unobstructed
14             vision to both front and rear.
15                 (2) The escort vehicle driver must be properly
16             licensed to operate the vehicle.
17                 (3) While in use, the escort vehicle must be
18             equipped with illuminated rotating, oscillating,
19             or flashing amber lights or flashing amber strobe
20             lights mounted on top that are of sufficient
21             intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal
22             sunlight.
23                 (4) "OVERSIZE LOAD" signs are mandatory on all
24             escort vehicles. The sign on an escort vehicle
25             shall have 8-inch high black letters on a yellow
26             sign that is 5 feet wide by 12 inches high.

 

 

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1                 (5) When only one escort vehicle is required
2             and it is operating on a two-lane highway, the
3             escort vehicle shall travel approximately 300 feet
4             ahead of the load. The rotating, oscillating, or
5             flashing lights or flashing amber strobe lights
6             and an "OVERSIZE LOAD" sign shall be displayed on
7             the escort vehicle and shall be visible from the
8             front. When only one escort vehicle is required and
9             it is operating on a multilane divided highway, the
10             escort vehicle shall travel approximately 300 feet
11             behind the load and the sign and lights shall be
12             visible from the rear.
13                 (6) When 2 escort vehicles are required, one
14             escort shall travel approximately 300 feet ahead
15             of the load and the second escort shall travel
16             approximately 300 feet behind the load. The
17             rotating, oscillating, or flashing lights or
18             flashing amber strobe lights and an "OVERSIZE
19             LOAD" sign shall be displayed on the escort
20             vehicles and shall be visible from the front on the
21             lead escort and from the rear on the trailing
22             escort.
23                 (7) When traveling within the corporate limits
24             of a municipality, the escort vehicle shall
25             maintain a reasonable and proper distance from the
26             oversize load, consistent with existing traffic

 

 

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1             conditions.
2                 (8) A separate escort shall be provided for
3             each load hauled.
4                 (9) The driver of an escort vehicle shall obey
5             all traffic laws.
6                 (10) The escort vehicle must be in safe
7             operational condition.
8                 (11) The driver of the escort vehicle must be
9             in radio contact with the driver of the vehicle
10             carrying the oversize load.
11             (F) A transport vehicle while under load of more
12         than 8 feet 6 inches in width must be equipped with an
13         illuminated rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber
14         light or lights or a flashing amber strobe light or
15         lights mounted on the top of the cab that are of
16         sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in
17         normal sunlight. If the load on the transport vehicle
18         blocks the visibility of the amber lighting from the
19         rear of the vehicle, the vehicle must also be equipped
20         with an illuminated rotating, oscillating, or flashing
21         amber light or lights or a flashing amber strobe light
22         or lights mounted on the rear of the load that are of
23         sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in
24         normal sunlight.
25             (G) When a flashing amber light is required on the
26         transport vehicle under load and it is operating on a

 

 

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1         two-lane highway, the transport vehicle shall display
2         to the rear at least one rotating, oscillating, or
3         flashing light or a flashing amber strobe light and an
4         "OVERSIZE LOAD" sign. When a flashing amber light is
5         required on the transport vehicle under load and it is
6         operating on a multilane divided highway, the sign and
7         light shall be visible from the rear.
8             (H) Maximum speed shall be 45 miles per hour on all
9         such moves or 5 miles per hour above the posted minimum
10         speed limit, whichever is greater, but the vehicle
11         shall not at any time exceed the posted maximum speed
12         limit.
13         (3) Portable buildings designed and used for
14     agricultural and livestock raising operations that are not
15     more than 14 feet wide and with not more than a 1 foot
16     overhang along the left side of the hauling vehicle.
17     However, the buildings shall not be transported more than
18     10 miles and not on any route that is part of the National
19     System of Interstate and Defense Highways.
20     All buildings when being transported shall display at least
21 2 red cloth flags, not less than 12 inches square, mounted as
22 high as practicable on the left and right side of the building.
23     A State Police escort shall be required if it is necessary
24 for this load to use part of the left lane when crossing any 2
25 laned State highway bridge.
26     (c) Vehicles propelled by electric power obtained from

 

 

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1 overhead trolley wires operated wholly within the corporate
2 limits of a municipality are also exempt from the width
3 limitation.
4     (d) Exemptions are also granted to vehicles designed for
5 the carrying of more than 10 persons under the following
6 conditions:
7         (1) (Blank);
8         (2) When operated within any public transportation
9     service with the approval of local authorities or an
10     appropriate public body authorized by law to provide public
11     transportation. Any vehicle so operated may be 8 feet 6
12     inches in width; or
13         (3) When a county engineer or superintendent of
14     highways, after giving due consideration to the mass
15     transportation needs of the area and to the width and
16     condition of the road, has determined that the operation of
17     buses wider than 8 feet will not pose an undue safety
18     hazard on a particular county or township road segment, he
19     or she may authorize buses not to exceed 8 feet 6 inches in
20     width on any highway under that engineer's or
21     superintendent's jurisdiction.
22     (d-1) A recreational vehicle, as defined in Section 1-169,
23 may exceed 8 feet 6 inches in width if:
24         (1) the excess width is attributable to appurtenances
25     that extend 6 inches or less beyond either side of the body
26     of the vehicle; and

 

 

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1         (2) the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling has
2     marked lanes for vehicular traffic that are at least 11
3     feet in width.
4     As used in this subsection (d-1) and in subsection (d-2),
5 the term appurtenance includes (i) a retracted awning and its
6 support hardware and (ii) any appendage that is intended to be
7 an integral part of a recreation vehicle.
8     (d-2) A recreational vehicle that exceeds 8 feet 6 inches
9 in width as provided in subsection (d-1) may travel any roadway
10 of the State if the vehicle is being operated between a roadway
11 permitted under subsection (d-1) and:
12         (1) the location where the recreation vehicle is
13     garaged;
14         (2) the destination of the recreation vehicle; or
15         (3) a facility for food, fuel, repair, services, or
16     rest.
17     (e) A vehicle and load traveling upon the National System
18 of Interstate and Defense Highways or any other highway in the
19 system of State highways that has been designated as a Class I
20 or Class II highway by the Department, or any street or highway
21 designated by local authorities, may have a total outside width
22 of 8 feet 6 inches, provided that certain safety devices that
23 the Department determines as necessary for the safe and
24 efficient operation of motor vehicles shall not be included in
25 the calculation of width.
26     (e-1) A vehicle and load more than 8 feet wide but not

 

 

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1 exceeding 8 feet 6 inches in width is allowed access according
2 to the following:
3         (1) A vehicle and load not exceeding weights specified
4     in subsection (f) of Section 15-111 73,280 pounds in weight
5     is allowed access from any State designated highway onto
6     any State, county, township, or municipal highway for a
7     distance of 5 highway miles for the purpose of loading and
8     unloading, provided:
9             (A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 65 feet
10         overall length.
11             (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
12             (C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare
13         between State designated highways.
14             (D) The course of travel taken to or from the
15         designated route from or to the point of loading and
16         unloading is the shortest practical in the general
17         direction of the destination.
18         (2) A vehicle and load not exceeding weights specified
19     in subsection (f) of Section 15-111 73,280 pounds in weight
20     is allowed access from any State designated highway onto
21     any State, county, or township highway for a distance of 5
22     highway miles or onto any municipal highway for a distance
23     of one highway mile for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs,
24     and rest, provided:
25             (A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 65 feet
26         overall length.

 

 

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1             (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
2             (C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare
3         between State designated highways.
4             (D) The course of travel taken to or from the
5         designated route from or to the point of food, fuel,
6         repairs, or rest is the shortest practical in the
7         general direction of the destination.
8         (3) (Blank). A vehicle and load not exceeding 80,000
9     pounds in weight is allowed access from a Class I highway
10     onto any street or highway for a distance of one highway
11     mile for the purpose of loading, unloading, food, fuel,
12     repairs, and rest, provided there is no sign prohibiting
13     that access.
14         (4) (Blank). A vehicle and load not exceeding 80,000
15     pounds in weight is allowed access from a Class I or Class
16     II highway onto any State highway or any locally designated
17     highway for a distance of 5 highway miles for the purpose
18     of loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest.
19         (5) A trailer or semi-trailer not exceeding 28 feet 6
20     inches in length, that was originally in combination with a
21     truck tractor, shall have unlimited access to points of
22     loading and unloading.
23         (6) All household goods carriers shall have unlimited
24     access to points of loading and unloading.
25     Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
26 relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the

 

 

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1 designation of highways under this paragraph (e).
2     (f) Mirrors required by Section 12-502 of this Code and
3 other safety devices identified by the Department may project
4 up to 14 inches beyond each side of a bus and up to 6 inches
5 beyond each side of any other vehicle, and that projection
6 shall not be deemed a violation of the width restrictions of
7 this Section.
8     (g) Any person who is convicted of violating this Section
9 is subject to the penalty as provided in paragraph (b) of
10 Section 15-113.
11 (Source: P.A. 93-177, eff. 7-11-03; 94-949, eff. 1-1-07.)
 
12     (625 ILCS 5/15-111)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-111)
13     Sec. 15-111. Wheel and axle loads and gross weights.
14     (a) On non-designated highways, no vehicle or combination
15 of vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires may be operated,
16 unladen or with load, when the total weight transmitted to the
17 road surface exceeds 18,000 pounds on a single axle or 32,000
18 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle within the tandem
19 exceeding 18,000 pounds except:
20         (1) when a different limit is established and posted in
21     accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code;
22         (2) vehicles for which the Department of
23     Transportation and local authorities issue overweight
24     permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code;
25         (3) tow trucks subject to the conditions provided in

 

 

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1     subsection (d) may not exceed 24,000 pounds on a single
2     rear axle or 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle;
3         (4) any single axle of a 2-axle truck weighing 36,000
4     pounds or less and not a part of a combination of vehicles,
5     shall not exceed 20,000 pounds;
6         (5) any single axle of a 2-axle truck equipped with a
7     personnel lift or digger derrick, weighing 36,000 pounds or
8     less, owned and operated by a public utility, shall not
9     exceed 20,000 pounds;
10         (6) any single axle of a 2-axle truck specially
11     equipped with a front loading compactor used exclusively
12     for garbage, refuse, or recycling may not exceed 20,000
13     pounds per axle, provided that the gross weight of the
14     vehicle does not exceed 40,000 pounds;
15         (7) a truck, not in combination and specially equipped
16     with a selfcompactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and
17     roll-off container, used exclusively for garbage or refuse
18     operations may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface
19     the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single
20     axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle;
21         (8) a truck, not in combination and used exclusively
22     for the collection of rendering materials, may, when laden,
23     transmit upon the road surface the following maximum
24     weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
25     tandem axle;
26         (9) tandem axles on a 3-axle truck registered as a

 

 

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1     Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in the
2     model year of 2014 and first registered in Illinois prior
3     to January 1, 2015, with a distance greater than 72 inches
4     but not more than 96 inches between any series of 2 axles,
5     is allowed a combined weight on the series not to exceed
6     36,000 pounds and neither axle of the series may exceed
7     18,000 pounds. Any vehicle of this type manufactured after
8     the model year of 2014 or first registered in Illinois
9     after December 31, 2014 may not exceed a combined weight of
10     32,000 pounds through the series of 2 axles and neither
11     axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds;
12         (10) a 4-axle truck mixer registered as a Special
13     Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the mixing and
14     transportation of concrete in the plastic state and
15     manufactured prior to or in the model year of 2014 and
16     first registered in Illinois prior to January 1, 2015, is
17     allowed the following maximum weights: 20,000 pounds on any
18     single axle; 36,000 pounds on any series of 2 axles greater
19     than 72 inches but not more than 96 inches; and 34,000
20     pounds on any series of 2 axles greater than 40 inches but
21     not more than 72 inches;
22         (11) 4-axle vehicles or a 5 or more axle combination of
23     vehicles: The weight transmitted upon the road surface
24     through any series of 3 axles whose centers are more than
25     96 inches apart, measured between extreme axles in the
26     series, may not exceed those allowed in the table contained

 

 

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1     in subsection (f) of this Section. No axle or tandem axle
2     of the series may exceed the maximum weight permitted under
3     this Section for a single or tandem axle.
4     No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with other
5 than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with load,
6 upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on the
7 road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
8 width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
9 surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
10     (b) On non-designated highways, the gross weight of
11 vehicles and combination of vehicles including the weight of
12 the vehicle or combination and its maximum load shall be
13 subject to the foregoing limitations and further shall not
14 exceed the following gross weights dependent upon the number of
15 axles and distance between extreme axles of the vehicle or
16 combination measured longitudinally to the nearest foot.
 
17 VEHICLES HAVING 2 AXLES ....................... 36,000 pounds
 
18
VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS
19
HAVING 3 AXLES
 
20With TandemWith or
21  AxlesWithout
22Tandem Axles
23MinimumMinimum
24distance toMaximumdistance toMaximum

 

 

 

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1nearest footGrossnearest footGross
2betweenWeightbetweenWeight
3extreme axles(pounds)extreme axles(pounds)
410 feet41,00016 feet46,000
51142,0001747,000
61243,0001847,500
71344,0001948,000
81444,5002049,000
91545,00021 feet or more50,000
10VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS HAVING 4 AXLES
11MinimumMinimum
12distance toMaximumdistance toMaximum
13nearest footGrossnearest footGross
14betweenWeightbetweenWeight
15extreme axles(pounds)extreme axles(pounds)
1615 feet50,00026 feet57,500
171650,5002758,000
181751,5002858,500
191852,0002959,500
201952,5003060,000
212053,5003160,500
222154,0003261,500
232254,5003362,000
242355,5003462,500
252456,0003563,500

 
 

 

 

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12556,50036 feet or more64,000
2    A vehicle not in a combination having more than 4 axles may
3not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (b) for 4
4axles measured between the extreme axles of the vehicle.
5COMBINATIONS HAVING 5 OR MORE AXLES
6Minimum distance toMaximum
7nearest foot betweenGross Weight
8extreme axles(pounds)
942 feet or less72,000
104373,000
1144 feet or more73,280
12 VEHICLES OPERATING ON CRAWLER TYPE TRACKS ..... 40,000 pounds
 
13
TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SELFCOMPACTORS
14
OR ROLL-OFF HOISTS AND ROLL-OFF CONTAINERS FOR GARBAGE,
15
REFUSE, OR RECYCLING HAULS ONLY AND TRUCKS USED FOR
16
THE COLLECTION OF RENDERING MATERIALS
17
On Highway Not Part of National System
18
of Interstate and Defense Highways
19 with 2 axles                                   36,000 pounds
20 with 3 axles                                   54,000 pounds
 
21
TWO AXLE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH
22
A FRONT LOADING COMPACTOR USED EXCLUSIVELY

 

 

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1
FOR THE COLLECTION OF GARBAGE, REFUSE, OR RECYCLING
2 with 2 axles                                   40,000 pounds
 
3     A 4-axle truck mixer registered as a Special Hauling
4 Vehicle, used exclusively for mixing and transportation of
5 concrete in the plastic state, manufactured before or in the
6 model year of 2014, and first registered in Illinois before
7 January 1, 2015, is allowed a maximum gross weight listed in
8 the table of subsection (f) of this Section for 4 axles. This
9 vehicle, while loaded with concrete in the plastic state, is
10 not subject to the series of 3 axles requirement provided for
11 in subdivision (a)(11) of this Section, but no axle or tandem
12 axle of the series may exceed the maximum weight permitted
13 under subdivision (a)(10) of this Section.
14     (b-1) As used in this Section, a "recycling haul" or
15 "recycling operation" means the hauling of segregated,
16 non-hazardous, non-special, homogeneous non-putrescible
17 materials, such as paper, glass, cans, or plastic, for
18 subsequent use in the secondary materials market.
19     (c) Cities having a population of more than 50,000 may
20 permit by ordinance axle loads on 2 axle motor vehicles 33 1/2%
21 above those provided for herein, but the increase shall not
22 become effective until the city has officially notified the
23 Department of the passage of the ordinance and shall not apply
24 to those vehicles when outside of the limits of the city, nor
25 shall the gross weight of any 2 axle motor vehicle operating

 

 

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1 over any street of the city exceed 40,000 pounds.
2     (d) Weight limitations shall not apply to vehicles
3 (including loads) operated by a public utility when
4 transporting equipment required for emergency repair of public
5 utility facilities or properties or water wells.
6     A combination of vehicles, including a tow truck and a
7 disabled vehicle or disabled combination of vehicles, that
8 exceeds the weight restriction imposed by this Code, may be
9 operated on a public highway in this State provided that
10 neither the disabled vehicle nor any vehicle being towed nor
11 the tow truck itself shall exceed the weight limitations
12 permitted under this Chapter. During the towing operation,
13 neither the tow truck nor the vehicle combination shall exceed
14 24,000 pounds on a single rear axle and 44,000 pounds on a
15 tandem rear axle, provided the towing vehicle:
16         (1) is specifically designed as a tow truck having a
17     gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds and
18     is equipped with air brakes, provided that air brakes are
19     required only if the towing vehicle is towing a vehicle,
20     semitrailer, or tractor-trailer combination that is
21     equipped with air brakes;
22         (2) is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
23     oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet in
24     all directions;
25         (3) is capable of utilizing the lighting and braking
26     systems of the disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles;

 

 

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1     and
2         (4) does not engage in a tow exceeding 20 miles from
3     the initial point of wreck or disablement. Any additional
4     movement of the vehicles may occur only upon issuance of
5     authorization for that movement under the provisions of
6     Sections 15-301 through 15-319 of this Code. The towing
7     vehicle, however, may tow any disabled vehicle from the
8     initial point of wreck or disablement to a point where
9     repairs are actually to occur. This movement shall be valid
10     only on State routes. The tower must abide by posted bridge
11     weight limits.
12     Gross weight limits shall not apply to the combination of
13 the tow truck and vehicles being towed. The tow truck license
14 plate must cover the operating empty weight of the tow truck
15 only. The weight of each vehicle being towed shall be covered
16 by a valid license plate issued to the owner or operator of the
17 vehicle being towed and displayed on that vehicle. If no valid
18 plate issued to the owner or operator of that vehicle is
19 displayed on that vehicle, or the plate displayed on that
20 vehicle does not cover the weight of the vehicle, the weight of
21 the vehicle shall be covered by the third tow truck plate
22 issued to the owner or operator of the tow truck and
23 temporarily affixed to the vehicle being towed.
24     The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
25 additional requirements. However, nothing in this Code shall
26 prohibit a tow truck under instructions of a police officer

 

 

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1 from legally clearing a disabled vehicle, that may be in
2 violation of weight limitations of this Chapter, from the
3 roadway to the berm or shoulder of the highway. If in the
4 opinion of the police officer that location is unsafe, the
5 officer is authorized to have the disabled vehicle towed to the
6 nearest place of safety.
7     For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
8 rating, or GVWR, shall mean the value specified by the
9 manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
10     (e) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
11 pneumatic tires shall be operated, unladen or with load, upon
12 the highways of this State in violation of the provisions of
13 any permit issued under the provisions of Sections 15-301
14 through 15-319 of this Chapter.
15     (f) On designated Class I, II, or III highways and the
16 National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, no vehicle
17 or combination of vehicles with pneumatic tires may be
18 operated, unladen or with load, when the total weight on the
19 road surface exceeds the following: 20,000 pounds on a single
20 axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle within the
21 tandem exceeding 20,000 pounds; 80,000 pounds gross weight for
22 vehicle combinations of 5 or more axles; or a total weight on a
23 group of 2 or more consecutive axles in excess of that weight
24 produced by the application of the following formula: W = 500
25 times the sum of (LN divided by N-1) + 12N + 36, where "W"
26 equals overall total weight on any group of 2 or more

 

 

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1 consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds, "L" equals the
2 distance measured to the nearest foot between extremes of any
3 group of 2 or more consecutive axles, and "N" equals the number
4 of axles in the group under consideration.
5     The above formula when expressed in tabular form results in
6 allowable loads as follows:
 
7 Distance measured
8 to the nearest
9 foot between the
10 extremes of any         Maximum weight in pounds
11 group of 2 or           of any group of
12 more consecutive        2 or more consecutive axles
13 axles
14feet2 axles3 axles4 axles5 axles6 axles
15434,000
16534,000
17634,000
18734,000
19838,000*42,000
20939,00042,500
211040,00043,500
221144,000
231245,00050,000
241345,50050,500
251446,50051,500
261547,00052,000
271648,00052,50058,000
281748,50053,50058,500
291849,50054,00059,000
301950,00054,50060,000
312051,00055,50060,50066,000
322151,50056,00061,00066,500
332252,50056,50061,50067,000
342353,00057,50062,50068,000
352454,00058,00063,00068,500
362554,50058,50063,50069,000
372655,50059,50064,00069,500
382756,00060,00065,00070,000
392857,00060,50065,50071,000
402957,50061,50066,00071,500
413058,50062,00066,50072,000
423159,00062,50067,50072,500
433260,00063,50068,00073,000
443364,00068,50074,000
453464,50069,00074,500
463565,50070,00075,000
473666,00070,50075,500
483766,50071,00076,000
493867,50072,00077,000
503968,00072,50077,500
514068,50073,00078,000
524169,50073,50078,500
534270,00074,00079,000
544370,50075,00080,000
554471,50075,500
564572,00076,000
574672,50076,500
584773,50077,500
594874,00078,000
604974,50078,500
615075,50079,000
625176,00080,000
635276,500
645377,500
655478,000
665578,500
675679,500
685780,000
18 *If the distance between 2 axles is 96 inches or less, the 2
19 axles are tandem axles and the maximum total weight may not
20 exceed 34,000 pounds, notwithstanding the higher limit
21 resulting from the application of the formula.
22     Vehicles not in a combination having more than 4 axles may
23 not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (f) for 4
24 axles measured between the extreme axles of the vehicle.
25     Vehicles in a combination having more than 6 axles may not
26 exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (f) for 6

 

 

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1 axles measured between the extreme axles of the combination.
2     Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
3 under their jurisdiction, without additional fees, may also by
4 ordinance or resolution allow the weight limitations of this
5 subsection, provided the maximum gross weight on any one axle
6 shall not exceed 20,000 pounds and the maximum total weight on
7 any tandem axle shall not exceed 34,000 pounds, on designated
8 highways when appropriate regulatory signs giving notice are
9 erected upon the street or highway or portion of any street or
10 highway affected by the ordinance or resolution.
11     The following are exceptions to the above formula:
12         (1) Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a
13     total weight of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance
14     between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of
15     tandem axles is 36 feet or more.
16         (2) Vehicles for which a different limit is established
17     and posted in accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code.
18         (3) Vehicles for which the Department of
19     Transportation and local authorities issue overweight
20     permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code.
21     These vehicles are not subject to the bridge formula.
22         (4) Tow trucks subject to the conditions provided in
23     subsection (d) may not exceed 24,000 pounds on a single
24     rear axle or 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle.
25         (5) A tandem axle on a 3-axle truck registered as a
26     Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in the

 

 

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1     model year of 2014, and registered in Illinois prior to
2     January 1, 2015, with a distance between 2 axles in a
3     series greater than 72 inches but not more than 96 inches
4     may not exceed a total weight of 36,000 pounds and neither
5     axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds.
6         (6) A truck not in combination, equipped with a self
7     compactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and roll-off
8     container, used exclusively for garbage, refuse, or
9     recycling operations, may, when laden, transmit upon the
10     road surface, except when on part of the National System of
11     Interstate and Defense Highways, the following maximum
12     weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
13     tandem axle; 36,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle
14     vehicle; 54,000 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle.
15     This vehicle is not subject to the bridge formula.
16         (7) Combinations of vehicles, registered as Special
17     Hauling Vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured
18     prior to or in the model year of 2014, and registered in
19     Illinois prior to January 1, 2015, having 5 axles with a
20     distance of 42 feet or less between extreme axles, may not
21     exceed the following maximum weights: 18,000 pounds on a
22     single axle; 32,000 pounds on a tandem axle; and 72,000
23     pounds gross weight. This combination of vehicles is not
24     subject to the bridge formula. For all those combinations
25     of vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured after
26     the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd

 

 

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1     General Assembly, the overall distance between the first
2     and last axles of the 2 sets of tandems must be 18 feet 6
3     inches or more. Any combination of vehicles that has had
4     its cargo container replaced in its entirety after December
5     31, 2014 may not exceed the weights allowed by the bridge
6     formula.
7         (8) A 4-axle truck mixer registered as a Special
8     Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the mixing and
9     transportation of concrete in the plastic state,
10     manufactured before or in the model year of 2014, first
11     registered in Illinois before January 1, 2015, and not
12     operated on a highway that is part of the National System
13     of Interstate Highways, is allowed the following maximum
14     weights: 20,000 pounds on any single axle; 36,000 pounds on
15     a series of axles greater than 72 inches but not more than
16     96 inches; and 34,000 pounds on any series of 2 axles
17     greater than 40 inches but not more than 72 inches. The
18     gross weight of this vehicle may not exceed the weights
19     allowed by the bridge formula for 4 axles. The bridge
20     formula does not apply to any series of 3 axles while the
21     vehicle is transporting concrete in the plastic state, but
22     no axle or tandem axle of the series may exceed the maximum
23     weight permitted under this subsection (f).
24     No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with other
25 than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with load,
26 upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on the

 

 

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1 road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
2 width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
3 surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
4     (f-1) A vehicle and load not exceeding the weight
5 limitations specified in subsection (f) 73,280 pounds is
6 allowed access as follows:
7         (1) From any State designated highway onto any
8     non-designated county, township, or municipal highway for
9     a distance of 5 highway miles for the purpose of loading,
10     and unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest, provided:
11             (A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 8 feet 6
12         inches in width and 65 feet overall length.
13             (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
14             (C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare
15         between State designated highways.
16             (D) The course of travel taken to or from the
17         designated route from or to the point of loading,
18         unloading, food, fuel, repairs, or rest is the shortest
19         practical in the general direction of the destination.
20         (2) (Blank). From any State designated highway onto any
21     county or township highway for a distance of 5 highway
22     miles, or any municipal highway for a distance of one
23     highway mile for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs, and
24     rest, provided:
25             (A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 8 feet 6
26         inches in width and 65 feet overall length.

 

 

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1             (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
2             (C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare
3         between State designated highways.
4     (f-2) (Blank). A vehicle and load greater than 73,280
5 pounds in weight but not exceeding 80,000 pounds is allowed
6 access as follows:
7         (1) From a Class I highway onto any street or highway
8     for a distance of one highway mile for the purpose of
9     loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest,
10     provided there is no sign prohibiting that access.
11         (2) From a Class I, II, or III highway onto any State
12     highway or any local designated highway for a distance of 5
13     highway miles for the purpose of loading, unloading, food,
14     fuel, repairs, and rest.
15     Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
16 relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
17 designation of highways under this subsection.
18     (g) No person shall operate a vehicle or combination of
19 vehicles over a bridge or other elevated structure constituting
20 part of a highway with a gross weight that is greater than the
21 maximum weight permitted by the Department, when the structure
22 is sign posted as provided in this Section.
23     (h) The Department upon request from any local authority
24 shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation
25 of any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part
26 of a highway, and if it finds that the structure cannot with

 

 

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1 safety to itself withstand the weight of vehicles otherwise
2 permissible under this Code the Department shall determine and
3 declare the maximum weight of vehicles that the structures can
4 withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating
5 maximum weight to be erected and maintained before each end of
6 the structure. No person shall operate a vehicle or combination
7 of vehicles over any structure with a gross weight that is
8 greater than the posted maximum weight.
9     (i) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation
10 of subsections (g) or (h) of this Section, proof of the
11 determination of the maximum allowable weight by the Department
12 and the existence of the signs, constitutes conclusive evidence
13 of the maximum weight that can be maintained with safety to the
14 bridge or structure.
15 (Source: P.A. 93-177, eff. 7-11-03; 93-186, eff. 1-1-04;
16 93-1023, eff. 8-25-04; 94-464, eff. 1-1-06; 94-926, eff.
17 1-1-07.)