98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
HB2347

 

Introduced , by Rep. Jay Hoffman

 

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

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes weight limitations on tow vehicles operated in response to a tow request or currently performing a tow operation. Effective immediately.


LRB098 07397 MLW 37461 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB2347LRB098 07397 MLW 37461 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 15-111 as follows:
 
6    (625 ILCS 5/15-111)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-111)
7    Sec. 15-111. Wheel and axle loads and gross weights.
8    (a) No vehicle or combination of vehicles with pneumatic
9tires may be operated, unladen or with load, when the total
10weight on the road surface exceeds the following: 20,000 pounds
11on a single axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle
12within the tandem exceeding 20,000 pounds; 80,000 pounds gross
13weight for vehicle combinations of 5 or more axles; or a total
14weight on a group of 2 or more consecutive axles in excess of
15that weight produced by the application of the following
16formula: W = 500 times the sum of (LN divided by N-1) + 12N +
1736, where "W" equals overall total weight on any group of 2 or
18more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds, "L" equals
19the distance measured to the nearest foot between extremes of
20any group of 2 or more consecutive axles, and "N" equals the
21number of axles in the group under consideration.
22    The above formula when expressed in tabular form results in
23allowable loads as follows:
 

 

 

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1Distance measured
2to the nearest
3foot between the
4extremes of any         Maximum weight in pounds
5group of 2 or           of any group of
6more consecutive        2 or more consecutive axles
7axles
8feet2 axles3 axles4 axles5 axles6 axles
9434,000
10534,000
11634,000
12734,000
13838,000*42,000
14939,00042,500
151040,00043,500
161144,000
171245,00050,000
181345,50050,500
191446,50051,500
201547,00052,000
211648,00052,50058,000
221748,50053,50058,500
231849,50054,00059,000
241950,00054,50060,000
252051,00055,50060,50066,000

 

 

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12151,50056,00061,00066,500
22252,50056,50061,50067,000
32353,00057,50062,50068,000
42454,00058,00063,00068,500
52554,50058,50063,50069,000
62655,50059,50064,00069,500
72756,00060,00065,00070,000
82857,00060,50065,50071,000
92957,50061,50066,00071,500
103058,50062,00066,50072,000
113159,00062,50067,50072,500
123260,00063,50068,00073,000
133364,00068,50074,000
143464,50069,00074,500
153565,50070,00075,000
163666,00070,50075,500
173766,50071,00076,000
183867,50072,00077,000
193968,00072,50077,500
204068,50073,00078,000
214169,50073,50078,500
224270,00074,00079,000
234370,50075,00080,000
244471,50075,500
254572,00076,000
264672,50076,500

 

 

HB2347- 4 -LRB098 07397 MLW 37461 b

14773,50077,500
24874,00078,000
34974,50078,500
45075,50079,000
55176,00080,000
65276,500
75377,500
85478,000
95578,500
105679,500
115780,000
12*If the distance between 2 axles is 96 inches or less, the 2
13axles are tandem axles and the maximum total weight may not
14exceed 34,000 pounds, notwithstanding the higher limit
15resulting from the application of the formula.
16    Vehicles not in a combination having more than 4 axles may
17not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (a) for 4
18axles measured between the extreme axles of the vehicle.
19    Vehicles in a combination having more than 6 axles may not
20exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (a) for 6
21axles measured between the extreme axles of the combination.
22    Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
23under their jurisdiction, without additional fees, may also by
24ordinance or resolution allow the weight limitations of this
25subsection, provided the maximum gross weight on any one axle
26shall not exceed 20,000 pounds and the maximum total weight on

 

 

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1any tandem axle shall not exceed 34,000 pounds, on designated
2highways when appropriate regulatory signs giving notice are
3erected upon the street or highway or portion of any street or
4highway affected by the ordinance or resolution.
5    The following are exceptions to the above formula:
6        (1) Vehicles for which a different limit is established
7    and posted in accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code.
8        (2) Vehicles for which the Department of
9    Transportation and local authorities issue overweight
10    permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code.
11    These vehicles are not subject to the bridge formula.
12        (3) Cities having a population of more than 50,000 may
13    permit by ordinance axle loads on 2 axle motor vehicles 33
14    1/2% above those provided for herein, but the increase
15    shall not become effective until the city has officially
16    notified the Department of the passage of the ordinance and
17    shall not apply to those vehicles when outside of the
18    limits of the city, nor shall the gross weight of any 2
19    axle motor vehicle operating over any street of the city
20    exceed 40,000 pounds.
21        (4) Weight limitations shall not apply to vehicles
22    (including loads) operated by a public utility when
23    transporting equipment required for emergency repair of
24    public utility facilities or properties or water wells.
25        (5) Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a
26    total weight of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance

 

 

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1    between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of
2    tandem axles is 36 feet or more, notwithstanding the lower
3    limit resulting from the application of the above formula.
4        (6) A truck, not in combination and used exclusively
5    for the collection of rendering materials, may, when laden,
6    transmit upon the road surface, except when on part of the
7    National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, the
8    following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle;
9    40,000 pounds on a tandem axle.
10        (7) A truck not in combination, equipped with a self
11    compactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and roll-off
12    container, used exclusively for garbage, refuse, or
13    recycling operations, may, when laden, transmit upon the
14    road surface, except when on part of the National System of
15    Interstate and Defense Highways, the following maximum
16    weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
17    tandem axle; 40,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle
18    vehicle; 54,000 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle.
19    This vehicle is not subject to the bridge formula.
20        (8) Tandem axles on a 3-axle truck registered as a
21    Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in the
22    model year of 2014 and first registered in Illinois prior
23    to January 1, 2015, with a distance greater than 72 inches
24    but not more than 96 inches between any series of 2 axles,
25    is allowed a combined weight on the series not to exceed
26    36,000 pounds and neither axle of the series may exceed

 

 

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1    20,000 pounds. Any vehicle of this type manufactured after
2    the model year of 2014 or first registered in Illinois
3    after December 31, 2014 may not exceed a combined weight of
4    34,000 pounds through the series of 2 axles and neither
5    axle of the series may exceed 20,000 pounds.
6        (9) A 4-axle truck mixer registered as a Special
7    Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the mixing and
8    transportation of concrete in the plastic state,
9    manufactured before or in the model year of 2014, first
10    registered in Illinois before January 1, 2015, and not
11    operated on a highway that is part of the National System
12    of Interstate Highways, is allowed the following maximum
13    weights: 20,000 pounds on any single axle; 36,000 pounds on
14    a series of axles greater than 72 inches but not more than
15    96 inches; and 34,000 pounds on any series of 2 axles
16    greater than 40 inches but not more than 72 inches. The
17    gross weight of this vehicle may not exceed the weights
18    allowed by the bridge formula for 4 axles. The bridge
19    formula does not apply to any series of 3 axles while the
20    vehicle is transporting concrete in the plastic state, but
21    no axle or tandem axle of the series may exceed the maximum
22    weight permitted under this paragraph (9) of subsection
23    (a).
24        (10) Combinations of vehicles, registered as Special
25    Hauling Vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured
26    prior to or in the model year of 2014, and registered in

 

 

HB2347- 8 -LRB098 07397 MLW 37461 b

1    Illinois prior to January 1, 2015, having 5 axles with a
2    distance of 42 feet or less between extreme axles, may not
3    exceed the following maximum weights: 20,000 pounds on a
4    single axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle; and 72,000
5    pounds gross weight. This combination of vehicles is not
6    subject to the bridge formula. For all those combinations
7    of vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured after
8    the effective date of P.A. 92-0417, the overall distance
9    between the first and last axles of the 2 sets of tandems
10    must be 18 feet 6 inches or more. Any combination of
11    vehicles that has had its cargo container replaced in its
12    entirety after December 31, 2014 may not exceed the weights
13    allowed by the bridge formula.
14        (11) The maximum weight allowed on a vehicle with
15    crawler type tracks is 40,000 pounds.
16        (12) Weight limitations shall not apply to tow trucks,
17    with or without a load, operated in response to a tow
18    request or in the process of performing a tow operation. A
19    combination of vehicles, including a tow truck and a
20    disabled vehicle or disabled combination of vehicles, that
21    exceeds the weight restriction imposed by this Code, may be
22    operated on a public highway in this State provided that
23    neither the disabled vehicle nor any vehicle being towed
24    nor the tow truck itself shall exceed the weight
25    limitations permitted under this Chapter. During the
26    towing operation, neither the tow truck nor the vehicle

 

 

HB2347- 9 -LRB098 07397 MLW 37461 b

1    combination shall exceed 24,000 pounds on a single rear
2    axle and 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle, provided the
3    towing vehicle:
4            (i) is specifically designed as a tow truck having
5        a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds
6        and is equipped with air brakes, provided that air
7        brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is
8        towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer
9        combination that is equipped with air brakes;
10            (ii) is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
11        oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet
12        in all directions;
13            (iii) is capable of utilizing the lighting and
14        braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination
15        of vehicles; and
16            (iv) does not engage in a tow exceeding 20 miles
17        from the initial point of wreck or disablement. Any
18        additional movement of the vehicles may occur only upon
19        issuance of authorization for that movement under the
20        provisions of Sections 15-301 through 15-319 of this
21        Code. The towing vehicle, however, may tow any disabled
22        vehicle to a point where repairs are actually to occur.
23        This movement shall be valid only on State routes. The
24        tower must abide by posted bridge weight limits.
25    Gross weight limits shall not apply to the combination of
26the tow truck and vehicles being towed. The tow truck license

 

 

HB2347- 10 -LRB098 07397 MLW 37461 b

1plate must cover the operating empty weight of the tow truck
2only. The weight of each vehicle being towed shall be covered
3by a valid license plate issued to the owner or operator of the
4vehicle being towed and displayed on that vehicle. If no valid
5plate issued to the owner or operator of that vehicle is
6displayed on that vehicle, or the plate displayed on that
7vehicle does not cover the weight of the vehicle, the weight of
8the vehicle shall be covered by the third tow truck plate
9issued to the owner or operator of the tow truck and
10temporarily affixed to the vehicle being towed. If a roll-back
11carrier is registered and being used as a tow truck, however,
12the license plate or plates for the tow truck must cover the
13gross vehicle weight, including any load carried on the bed of
14the roll-back carrier.
15    The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
16additional requirements. However, nothing in this Code shall
17prohibit a tow truck under instructions of a police officer
18from legally clearing a disabled vehicle, that may be in
19violation of weight limitations of this Chapter, from the
20roadway to the berm or shoulder of the highway. If in the
21opinion of the police officer that location is unsafe, the
22officer is authorized to have the disabled vehicle towed to the
23nearest place of safety.
24    For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
25rating, or GVWR, means the value specified by the manufacturer
26as the loaded weight of the tow truck.

 

 

HB2347- 11 -LRB098 07397 MLW 37461 b

1    (b) As used in this Section, "recycling haul" or "recycling
2operation" means the hauling of non-hazardous, non-special,
3non-putrescible materials, such as paper, glass, cans, or
4plastic, for subsequent use in the secondary materials market.
5    (c) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
6pneumatic tires shall be operated, unladen or with load, upon
7the highways of this State in violation of the provisions of
8any permit issued under the provisions of Sections 15-301
9through 15-319 of this Chapter.
10    (d) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
11other than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with
12load, upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on
13the road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
14width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
15surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
16    (e) No person shall operate a vehicle or combination of
17vehicles over a bridge or other elevated structure constituting
18part of a highway with a gross weight that is greater than the
19maximum weight permitted by the Department, when the structure
20is sign posted as provided in this Section.
21    (f) The Department upon request from any local authority
22shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation
23of any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part
24of a highway, and if it finds that the structure cannot with
25safety to itself withstand the weight of vehicles otherwise
26permissible under this Code the Department shall determine and

 

 

HB2347- 12 -LRB098 07397 MLW 37461 b

1declare the maximum weight of vehicles that the structures can
2withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating
3maximum weight to be erected and maintained before each end of
4the structure. No person shall operate a vehicle or combination
5of vehicles over any structure with a gross weight that is
6greater than the posted maximum weight.
7    (g) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation
8of subsection (e) or (f) of this Section, proof of the
9determination of the maximum allowable weight by the Department
10and the existence of the signs, constitutes conclusive evidence
11of the maximum weight that can be maintained with safety to the
12bridge or structure.
13(Source: P.A. 96-34, eff. 1-1-10; 96-37, eff. 7-13-09; 97-201,
14eff. 1-1-12.)
 
15    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
16becoming law.