97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB2836

 

Introduced 2/18/2011___________, by

 

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

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the length of vehicles.


LRB097 09580 HEP 49717 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB2836LRB097 09580 HEP 49717 b

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 any
9highway of this State may not exceed 42 feet except the
10following:
11        (1) Semitrailers.
12        (2) Charter or regulated route buses may be up to 45
13    feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.
14    (a-1) A motor home as defined in Section 1-145.01 may be up
15to 45 feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.
16The length limitations described in this subsection (a-1) shall
17be exclusive of energy-absorbing bumpers and rear view mirrors.
18    (b) On all non-State highways, the maximum length of
19vehicles in combinations is as follows:
20        (1) A truck tractor in combination with a semitrailer
21    may not exceed 55 feet overall dimension.
22        (2) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer may not exceed
23    60 feet 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    Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting
4poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural
5nature that cannot readily be dismembered are exempt from
6length limitations, provided that no object may exceed 80 feet
7in length and the overall dimension of the vehicle including
8the load may not exceed 100 feet. This exemption does not apply
9to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Legal
10holidays referred to in this Section are the days on which the
11following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day;
12Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day;
13and Christmas Day.
14    Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
15route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or
16properties are exempt from length limitations, provided that
17during night operations every vehicle and its load must be
18equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both
19sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any projecting
20load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
21    A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
22combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6)
23of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
24limitations.
25    All other combinations not listed in this subsection (b)
26may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.

 

 

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1    (c) Except as provided in subsections (c-1) and (c-2),
2combinations of vehicles may not exceed a total of 2 vehicles
3except the following:
4        (1) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one trailer.
5        (2) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one converter
6    dolly.
7        (3) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one vehicle
8    that is defined in Chapter 1 as special mobile equipment,
9    provided the overall dimension does not exceed 60 feet.
10        (4) A truck in transit may draw 3 trucks in transit
11    coupled together by the triple saddlemount method.
12        (5) Recreational vehicles consisting of 3 vehicles,
13    provided the following:
14            (A) The total overall dimension does not exceed 60
15        feet.
16            (B) The towing vehicle is a properly registered
17        vehicle capable of towing another vehicle using a
18        fifth-wheel type assembly.
19            (C) The second vehicle in the combination of
20        vehicles is a recreational vehicle that is towed by a
21        fifth-wheel assembly. This vehicle must be properly
22        registered and must be equipped with brakes,
23        regardless of weight.
24            (D) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the 3
25        vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer designed or
26        used for transporting a boat, all-terrain vehicle,

 

 

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1        personal watercraft, or motorcycle.
2            (E) The towed vehicles may be only for the use of
3        the operator of the towing vehicle.
4            (F) All vehicles must be properly equipped with
5        operating brakes and safety equipment required by this
6        Code, except the additional brake requirement in
7        subdivision (C) of this subparagraph (5).
8        (6) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle
9    or combination of disabled vehicles, provided the towing
10    vehicle:
11            (A) Is specifically designed as a tow truck having
12        a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds
13        and equipped with air brakes, provided that air brakes
14        are required only if the towing vehicle is towing a
15        vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer combination
16        that is equipped with air brakes. For the purpose of
17        this subsection, gross vehicle weight rating, or GVWR,
18        means the value specified by the manufacturer as the
19        loaded weight of the tow truck.
20            (B) Is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
21        oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet
22        in all directions.
23            (C) Is capable of utilizing the lighting and
24        braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination
25        of vehicles.
26            (D) Does not engage a tow exceeding 50 highway

 

 

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1        miles from the initial point of wreck or disablement to
2        a place of repair. Any additional movement of the
3        vehicles may occur only upon issuance of authorization
4        for that movement under the provisions of Sections
5        15-301 through 15-319 of this Code.
6        The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
7    additional requirements regarding length limitations for a
8    tow truck towing another vehicle.
9        For purposes of this Section, a tow-dolly that merely
10    serves as substitute wheels for another legally licensed
11    vehicle is considered part of the licensed vehicle and not
12    a separate vehicle.
13        (7) Commercial vehicles consisting of 3 vehicles,
14    provided the following:
15            (A) The total overall dimension does not exceed 65
16        feet.
17            (B) The towing vehicle is a properly registered
18        vehicle capable of towing another vehicle using a
19        fifth-wheel type assembly or a goose-neck hitch ball.
20            (C) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the 3
21        vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer.
22            (D) All vehicles must be properly equipped with
23        operating brakes and safety equipment required by this
24        Code.
25            (E) The combination of vehicles must be operated by
26        a person who holds a commercial driver's license (CDL).

 

 

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1            (F) The combination of vehicles must be en route to
2        a location where new or used trailers are sold by an
3        Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer
4        dealer.
5    (c-1) A combination of 3 vehicles is allowed access to any
6State designated highway if:
7        (1) the length of neither towed vehicle exceeds 28.5
8    feet;
9        (2) the overall wheel base of the combination of
10    vehicles does not exceed 62 feet; and
11        (3) the combination of vehicles is en route to a
12    location where new or used trailers are sold by an Illinois
13    or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer dealer.
14    (c-2) A combination of 3 vehicles is allowed access from
15any State designated highway onto any county, township, or
16municipal highway for a distance of 5 highway miles for the
17purpose of delivery or collection of one or both of the towed
18vehicles if:
19        (1) the length of neither towed vehicle exceeds 28.5
20    feet;
21        (2) the combination of vehicles does not exceed 40,000
22    pounds in gross weight and 8 feet 6 inches in width;
23        (3) there is no sign prohibiting that access;
24        (4) the route is not being used as a thoroughfare
25    between State designated highways; and
26        (5) the combination of vehicles is en route to a

 

 

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1    location where new or used trailers are sold by an Illinois
2    or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer dealer.
3    (d) On Class I highways there are no overall length
4limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations
5provided:
6        (1) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with load,
7    in combination with a truck tractor may not exceed 53 feet.
8        (2) The distance between the kingpin and the center of
9    the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in
10    combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet 6
11    inches.
12        (3) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or
13    with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer
14    combination, may not exceed 28 feet 6 inches.
15        (4) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter 1,
16    may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
17        (5) Combinations of vehicles specifically designed to
18    transport motor vehicles or boats may not exceed 65 feet
19    overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of
20    front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the
21    transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of this
22    Section.
23        (6) Stinger steered semitrailer vehicles as defined in
24    Chapter 1, specifically designed to transport motor
25    vehicles or boats, may not exceed 75 feet overall
26    dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of front and

 

 

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1    rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the
2    transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of this
3    Section.
4        (7) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks coupled
5    together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed 75
6    feet overall dimension.
7    Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting
8poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural
9nature that cannot readily be dismembered are exempt from
10length limitations, provided that no object may exceed 80 feet
11in length and the overall dimension of the vehicle including
12the load may not exceed 100 feet. This exemption does not apply
13to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Legal
14holidays referred to in this Section are the days on which the
15following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day;
16Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day;
17and Christmas Day.
18    Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
19route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or
20properties are exempt from length limitations, provided that
21during night operations every vehicle and its load must be
22equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both
23sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any projecting
24load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
25    A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
26combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6)

 

 

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1of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
2limitations.
3    The length limitations described in this paragraph (d)
4shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices,
5such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and
6other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary
7for safe and efficient operation; except that no device
8excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use
9the capability to carry cargo.
10    Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
11relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
12designation of highways under this paragraph (d).
13    (e) On Class II highways there are no overall length
14limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations,
15provided:
16        (1) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with load,
17    in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 53 feet
18    overall dimension.
19        (2) The distance between the kingpin and the center of
20    the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in
21    combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet 6
22    inches.
23        (3) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination
24    may not exceed 65 feet in dimension from front axle to rear
25    axle.
26        (4) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or

 

 

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1    with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer
2    combination, may not exceed 28 feet 6 inches.
3        (5) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter 1,
4    may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
5        (6) A combination of vehicles, specifically designed
6    to transport motor vehicles or boats, may not exceed 65
7    feet overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive
8    of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of
9    the transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of
10    this Section.
11        (7) Stinger steered semitrailer vehicles, as defined
12    in Chapter 1, specifically designed to transport motor
13    vehicles or boats, may not exceed 75 feet overall
14    dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of front and
15    rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the
16    transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of this
17    Section.
18        (8) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks coupled
19    together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed 75
20    feet overall dimension.
21    Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting
22poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural
23nature that cannot readily be dismembered are exempt from
24length limitations, provided that no object may exceed 80 feet
25in length and the overall dimension of the vehicle including
26the load may not exceed 100 feet. This exemption does not apply

 

 

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1to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Legal
2holidays referred to in this Section are the days on which the
3following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day;
4Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day;
5and Christmas Day.
6    Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
7route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or
8properties are exempt from length limitations, provided that
9during night operations every vehicle and its load must be
10equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both
11sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any projecting
12load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
13    A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
14combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6)
15of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
16limitations.
17    Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
18under their jurisdiction, may also by ordinance or resolution
19allow length limitations of this subsection (e).
20    The length limitations described in this paragraph (e)
21shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices,
22such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and
23other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary
24for safe and efficient operation; except that no device
25excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use
26the capability to carry cargo.

 

 

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1    Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
2relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
3designation of highways under this paragraph (e).
4    (e-1) Combinations of vehicles not exceeding 65 feet
5overall length are allowed access as follows:
6        (1) From any State designated highway onto any county,
7    township, or municipal highway for a distance of 5 highway
8    miles for the purpose of loading and unloading, provided:
9            (A) The vehicle does not exceed 80,000 pounds in
10        gross weight and 8 feet 6 inches in width.
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        (2) From any State designated highway onto any county
15    or township highway for a distance of 5 highway miles or
16    onto any municipal highway for a distance of one highway
17    mile for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs, and rest,
18    provided:
19            (A) The vehicle does not exceed 80,000 pounds in
20        gross weight and 8 feet 6 inches in width.
21            (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
22            (C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare
23        between State designated highways.
24    (e-2) Except as provided in subsection (e-3), combinations
25of vehicles over 65 feet in length, with no overall length
26limitation except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of

 

 

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1this Section, are allowed access as follows:
2        (1) From a Class I highway onto any street or highway
3    for a distance of one highway mile for the purpose of
4    loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest,
5    provided there is no sign prohibiting that access.
6        (2) From a Class I or Class II highway onto any State
7    highway or any locally designated highway for a distance of
8    5 highway miles for the purpose of loading, unloading,
9    food, fuel, repairs, and rest.
10    (e-3) Combinations of vehicles over 65 feet in length
11operated by household goods carriers, with no overall length
12limitations except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of
13this Section, have unlimited access to points of loading and
14unloading.
15    (f) On Class III and other non-designated State highways,
16the length limitations for vehicles in combination are as
17follows:
18        (1) Truck tractor-semitrailer combinations, must
19    comply with either a maximum 55 feet overall wheel base or
20    a maximum 65 feet extreme overall dimension.
21        (2) Semitrailers, unladen or with load, may not exceed
22    53 feet overall dimension.
23        (3) No truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination
24    may exceed 60 feet extreme overall dimension.
25        (4) The distance between the kingpin and the center
26    axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination

 

 

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1    with a truck tractor, may not exceed 42 feet 6 inches.
2    (g) Length limitations in the preceding subsections of this
3Section 15-107 do not apply to the following:
4        (1) Vehicles operated in the daytime, except on
5    Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, when transporting
6    poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural
7    nature that cannot readily be dismembered, provided the
8    overall length of vehicle and load may not exceed 100 feet
9    and no object exceeding 80 feet in length may be
10    transported unless a permit has been obtained as authorized
11    in Section 15-301.
12        (2) Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility
13    while en route to make emergency repairs to public service
14    facilities or properties, but during night operation every
15    vehicle and its load must be equipped with a sufficient
16    number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps
17    upon the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly
18    mark the dimensions of the load.
19        (3) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle
20    or combination of disabled vehicles, provided the towing
21    vehicle meets the following conditions:
22            (A) It is specifically designed as a tow truck
23        having a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000
24        pounds and equipped with air brakes, provided that air
25        brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is
26        towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer

 

 

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1        combination that is equipped with air brakes.
2            (B) It is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
3        oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet
4        in all directions.
5            (C) It is capable of utilizing the lighting and
6        braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination
7        of vehicles.
8            (D) It does not engage in a tow exceeding 50 miles
9        from the initial point of wreck or disablement.
10    The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
11additional requirements regarding length limitations for a tow
12truck towing another vehicle. The towing vehicle, however, may
13tow any disabled vehicle from the initial point of wreck or
14disablement to a point where repairs are actually to occur.
15This movement shall be valid only on State routes. The tower
16must abide by posted bridge weight limits.
17    For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
18rating, or GVWR, shall mean the value specified by the
19manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck. Legal
20holidays referred to in this Section shall be specified as the
21day on which the following traditional holidays are celebrated:
22    New Year's Day;
23    Memorial Day;
24    Independence Day;
25    Labor Day;
26    Thanksgiving Day; and

 

 

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1    Christmas Day.
2    (h) The load upon any vehicle operated alone, or the load
3upon the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles, shall not
4extend more than 3 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle
5or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a
6front bumper. The provisions of this subsection (h) shall not
7apply to any vehicle or combination of vehicles specifically
8designed for the collection and transportation of waste,
9garbage, or recyclable materials during the vehicle's
10operation in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or
11recyclable materials if the vehicle is traveling at a speed not
12in excess of 15 miles per hour during the vehicle's operation
13and in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or recyclable
14materials. However, in no instance shall the load extend more
15than 7 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle or the front
16bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a front bumper.
17    (i) The load upon the front vehicle of a combination of
18vehicles specifically designed to transport motor vehicles
19shall not extend more than 3 feet beyond the foremost part of
20the transporting vehicle and the load upon the rear
21transporting vehicle shall not extend more than 4 feet beyond
22the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle. This paragraph
23shall only be applicable upon highways designated in paragraphs
24(d) and (e) of this Section.
25    (j) Articulated vehicles comprised of 2 sections, neither
26of which exceeds a length of 42 feet, designed for the carrying

 

 

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1of more than 10 persons, may be up to 60 feet in length, not
2including energy absorbing bumpers, provided that the vehicles
3are:
4        1. operated by or for any public body or motor carrier
5    authorized by law to provide public transportation
6    services; or
7        2. operated in local public transportation service by
8    any other person and the municipality in which the service
9    is to be provided approved the operation of the vehicle.
10    (j-1) (Blank).
11    (k) Any person who is convicted of violating this Section
12is subject to the penalty as provided in paragraph (b) of
13Section 15-113.
14    (l) (Blank).
15(Source: P.A. 96-34, eff. 1-1-10; 96-37, eff. 7-13-09; 96-1352,
16eff. 7-28-10.)