103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5233

 

Introduced 2/9/2024, by Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar

 

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

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a vehicle or combination of vehicles powered primarily by means of electric battery power may exceed the posted weight limits by up to 2,000 pounds.


LRB103 35733 MXP 65814 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB5233LRB103 35733 MXP 65814 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
5changing Section 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
11pounds on a single axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle with no
12axle within the tandem exceeding 20,000 pounds; 80,000 pounds
13gross weight for vehicle combinations of 5 or more axles; or a
14total weight on a group of 2 or more consecutive axles in
15excess of that weight produced by the application of the
16following formula: W = 500 times the sum of (LN divided by N-1)
17+ 12N + 36, where "W" equals overall total weight on any group
18of 2 or more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds, "L"
19equals the distance measured to the nearest foot between
20extremes of any group of 2 or more consecutive axles, and "N"
21equals the number of axles in the group under consideration.
22    The above formula when expressed in tabular form results
23in allowable 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
13834,000*34,000
14Between 8
15and 938,000 42,000
16939,00042,500
171040,00043,500
181144,000
191245,00050,000
201345,50050,500
211446,50051,500
221547,00052,000
231648,00052,50058,000
241748,50053,50058,500
251849,50054,00059,000

 

 

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11950,00054,50060,000
22051,00055,50060,50066,000
32151,50056,00061,00066,500
42252,50056,50061,50067,000
52353,00057,50062,50068,000
62454,00058,00063,00068,500
72554,50058,50063,50069,000
82655,50059,50064,00069,500
92756,00060,00065,00070,000
102857,00060,50065,50071,000
112957,50061,50066,00071,500
123058,50062,00066,50072,000
133159,00062,50067,50072,500
143260,00063,50068,00073,000
153364,00068,50074,000
163464,50069,00074,500
173565,50070,00075,000
183666,000**70,50075,500
193766,500**71,00076,000
203867,500**72,00077,000
213968,00072,50077,500
224068,50073,00078,000
234169,50073,50078,500
244270,00074,00079,000
254370,50075,00080,000
264471,50075,500

 

 

HB5233- 4 -LRB103 35733 MXP 65814 b

14572,00076,000
24672,50076,500
34773,50077,500
44874,00078,000
54974,50078,500
65075,50079,000
75176,00080,000
85276,500
95377,500
105478,000
115578,500
125679,500
135780,000
14*If the distance between 2 axles is 96 inches or less, the 2
15axles are tandem axles and the maximum total weight may not
16exceed 34,000 pounds, notwithstanding the higher limit
17resulting from the application of the formula.
18**Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry 34,000 pounds
19each if the overall distance between the first and last axles
20of these tandems is 36 feet or more.
21    Vehicles not in a combination having more than 4 axles may
22not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (a) for 4
23axles measured between the extreme axles of the vehicle.
24    Vehicles in a combination having more than 6 axles may not
25exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (a) for 6
26axles measured between the extreme axles of the combination.

 

 

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1    Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
2under their jurisdiction, without additional fees, may also by
3ordinance or resolution allow the weight limitations of this
4subsection, provided the maximum gross weight on any one axle
5shall not exceed 20,000 pounds and the maximum total weight on
6any tandem axle shall not exceed 34,000 pounds, on designated
7highways when appropriate regulatory signs giving notice are
8erected upon the street or highway or portion of any street or
9highway affected by the ordinance or resolution.
10    The following are exceptions to the above formula:
11        (1) Vehicles for which a different limit is
12    established and posted in accordance with Section 15-316
13    of this Code.
14        (2) Vehicles for which the Department of
15    Transportation and local authorities issue overweight
16    permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code.
17    These vehicles are not subject to the bridge formula.
18        (3) Cities having a population of more than 50,000 may
19    permit by ordinance axle loads on 2-axle motor vehicles 33
20    1/2% above those provided for herein, but the increase
21    shall not become effective until the city has officially
22    notified the Department of the passage of the ordinance
23    and shall not apply to those vehicles when outside of the
24    limits of the city, nor shall the gross weight of any
25    2-axle motor vehicle operating over any street of the city
26    exceed 40,000 pounds.

 

 

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1        (4) Weight limitations shall not apply to vehicles
2    (including loads) operated by a public utility when
3    transporting equipment required for emergency repair of
4    public utility facilities or properties or water wells.
5        (4.5) A 3-axle or 4-axle vehicle (including when
6    laden) operated or hired by a municipality within Cook,
7    Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, or Will county being operated
8    for the purpose of performing emergency sewer repair that
9    would be subject to a weight limitation less than 66,000
10    pounds under the formula in this subsection (a) shall have
11    a weight limitation of 66,000 pounds or the vehicle's
12    gross vehicle weight rating, whichever is less. This
13    paragraph (4.5) does not apply to vehicles being operated
14    on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways,
15    or to vehicles being operated on bridges or other elevated
16    structures constituting a part of a highway.
17        (5) Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a
18    total weight of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance
19    between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets
20    of tandem axles is 36 feet or more, notwithstanding the
21    lower limit resulting from the application of the above
22    formula.
23        (6) A truck, not in combination and used exclusively
24    for the collection of rendering materials, may, when
25    laden, transmit upon the road surface, except when on part
26    of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways,

 

 

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1    the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single
2    axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle.
3        (7) A truck not in combination, equipped with a self
4    compactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and roll-off
5    container, used exclusively for garbage, refuse, or
6    recycling operations, may, when laden, transmit upon the
7    road surface, except when on part of the National System
8    of Interstate and Defense Highways, the following maximum
9    weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on
10    a tandem axle; 40,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle
11    vehicle; 54,000 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle.
12    This vehicle is not subject to the bridge formula.
13        (7.5) A 3-axle rear discharge truck mixer registered
14    as a Special Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the
15    mixing and transportation of concrete in the plastic
16    state, may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface,
17    except when on part of the National System of Interstate
18    and Defense Highways, the following maximum weights:
19    22,000 pounds on single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem
20    axle; 54,000 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle. This
21    vehicle is not subject to the bridge formula.
22        (8) Except as provided in paragraph (7.5) of this
23    subsection (a), tandem axles on a 3-axle truck registered
24    as a Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in
25    the model year of 2024 and first registered in Illinois
26    prior to January 1, 2025, with a distance greater than 72

 

 

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1    inches but not more than 96 inches between any series of 2
2    axles, is allowed a combined weight on the series not to
3    exceed 36,000 pounds and neither axle of the series may
4    exceed 20,000 pounds. Any vehicle of this type
5    manufactured after the model year of 2024 or first
6    registered in Illinois after December 31, 2024 may not
7    exceed a combined weight of 34,000 pounds through the
8    series of 2 axles and neither axle of the series may exceed
9    20,000 pounds.
10        A 3-axle combination sewer cleaning jetting vacuum
11    truck registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle, used
12    exclusively for the transportation of non-hazardous solid
13    waste, manufactured before or in the model year of 2014,
14    first registered in Illinois before January 1, 2015, may,
15    when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except when on
16    part of the National System of Interstate and Defense
17    Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on
18    a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle; 54,000
19    pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle. This vehicle is
20    not subject to the bridge formula.
21        (9) A 4-axle truck mixer registered as a Special
22    Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the mixing and
23    transportation of concrete in the plastic state, and not
24    operated on a highway that is part of the National System
25    of Interstate Highways, is allowed the following maximum
26    weights: 20,000 pounds on any single axle; 36,000 pounds

 

 

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1    on a series of axles greater than 72 inches but not more
2    than 96 inches; and 34,000 pounds on any series of 2 axles
3    greater than 40 inches but not more than 72 inches. The
4    gross weight of this vehicle may not exceed the weights
5    allowed by the bridge formula for 4 axles. The bridge
6    formula does not apply to any series of 3 axles while the
7    vehicle is transporting concrete in the plastic state, but
8    no axle or tandem axle of the series may exceed the maximum
9    weight permitted under this paragraph (9) of subsection
10    (a).
11        (10) Combinations of vehicles, registered as Special
12    Hauling Vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured
13    prior to or in the model year of 2024, and registered in
14    Illinois prior to January 1, 2025, having 5 axles with a
15    distance of 42 feet or less between extreme axles, may not
16    exceed the following maximum weights: 20,000 pounds on a
17    single axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle; and 72,000
18    pounds gross weight. This combination of vehicles is not
19    subject to the bridge formula. For all those combinations
20    of vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured after
21    the effective date of P.A. 92-0417, the overall distance
22    between the first and last axles of the 2 sets of tandems
23    must be 18 feet 6 inches or more. Any combination of
24    vehicles that has had its cargo container replaced in its
25    entirety after December 31, 2024 may not exceed the
26    weights allowed by the bridge formula.

 

 

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1        (11) The maximum weight allowed on a vehicle with
2    crawler type tracks is 40,000 pounds.
3        (12) A combination of vehicles, including a tow truck
4    and a disabled vehicle or disabled combination of
5    vehicles, that exceeds the weight restriction imposed by
6    this Code, may be operated on a public highway in this
7    State provided that neither the disabled vehicle nor any
8    vehicle being towed nor the tow truck itself shall exceed
9    the weight limitations permitted under this Chapter.
10    During the towing operation, neither the tow truck nor the
11    vehicle combination shall exceed 24,000 pounds on a single
12    rear axle and 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle,
13    provided the towing vehicle:
14            (i) is specifically designed as a tow truck having
15        a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000
16        pounds and is equipped with air brakes, provided that
17        air brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is
18        towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer
19        combination that is equipped with air brakes;
20            (ii) is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
21        oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500
22        feet in all directions;
23            (iii) is capable of utilizing the lighting and
24        braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination
25        of vehicles; and
26            (iv) does not engage in a tow exceeding 20 miles

 

 

HB5233- 11 -LRB103 35733 MXP 65814 b

1        from the initial point of wreck or disablement. Any
2        additional movement of the vehicles may occur only
3        upon issuance of authorization for that movement under
4        the provisions of Sections 15-301 through 15-318 of
5        this Code. The towing vehicle, however, may tow any
6        disabled vehicle to a point where repairs are actually
7        to occur. This movement shall be valid only on State
8        routes. The tower must abide by posted bridge weight
9        limits.
10        (12.5) The vehicle weight limitations in this Section
11    do not apply to a covered heavy duty tow and recovery
12    vehicle. The covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicle
13    license plate must cover the operating empty weight of the
14    covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicle only.
15        (13) Upon and during a declaration of an emergency
16    propane supply disaster by the Governor under Section 7 of
17    the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act:
18            (i) a truck not in combination, equipped with a
19        cargo tank, used exclusively for the transportation of
20        propane or liquefied petroleum gas may, when laden,
21        transmit upon the road surface, except when on part of
22        the National System of Interstate and Defense
23        Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds
24        on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle;
25        40,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle vehicle; 54,000
26        pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle; and

 

 

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1            (ii) a truck when in combination with a trailer
2        equipped with a cargo tank used exclusively for the
3        transportation of propane or liquefied petroleum gas
4        may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface,
5        except when on part of the National System of
6        Interstate and Defense Highways, the following maximum
7        weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds
8        on a tandem axle; 90,000 pounds gross weight on a
9        5-axle or 6-axle vehicle.
10        Vehicles operating under this paragraph (13) are not
11    subject to the bridge formula.
12        (14) A vehicle or combination of vehicles that uses
13    either natural gas or propane gas as a motor fuel or power
14    primarily by means of electric battery power may exceed
15    the above weight limitations by up to 2,000 pounds, the
16    total allowance is calculated by an amount that is equal
17    to the difference between the weight of the vehicle
18    attributable to the natural gas or propane gas tank and
19    fueling system carried by the vehicle, and the weight of a
20    comparable diesel tank and fueling system. This paragraph
21    (14) shall not allow a vehicle to exceed any posted weight
22    limit on a highway or structure.
23        (15) An emergency vehicle or fire apparatus that is a
24    vehicle designed to be used under emergency conditions to
25    transport personnel and equipment, and used to support the
26    suppression of fires and mitigation of other hazardous

 

 

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1    situations on a Class I highway, may not exceed 86,000
2    pounds gross weight, or any of the following weight
3    allowances:
4            (i) 24,000 pounds on a single steering axle;
5            (ii) 33,500 pounds on a single drive axle;
6            (iii) 62,000 pounds on a tandem axle; or
7            (iv) 52,000 pounds on a tandem rear drive steer
8        axle.
9        (16) A bus, motor coach, or recreational vehicle may
10    carry a total weight of 24,000 pounds on a single axle, but
11    may not exceed other weight provisions of this Section.
12    Gross weight limits shall not apply to the combination of
13the tow truck and vehicles being towed. The tow truck license
14plate must cover the operating empty weight of the tow truck
15only. The weight of each vehicle being towed shall be covered
16by a valid license plate issued to the owner or operator of the
17vehicle being towed and displayed on that vehicle. If no valid
18plate issued to the owner or operator of that vehicle is
19displayed on that vehicle, or the plate displayed on that
20vehicle does not cover the weight of the vehicle, the weight of
21the vehicle shall be covered by the third tow truck plate
22issued to the owner or operator of the tow truck and
23temporarily affixed to the vehicle being towed. If a roll-back
24carrier is registered and being used as a tow truck, however,
25the license plate or plates for the tow truck must cover the
26gross vehicle weight, including any load carried on the bed of

 

 

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1the roll-back carrier.
2    The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
3additional requirements. However, nothing in this Code shall
4prohibit a tow truck under instructions of a police officer
5from legally clearing a disabled vehicle, that may be in
6violation of weight limitations of this Chapter, from the
7roadway to the berm or shoulder of the highway. If in the
8opinion of the police officer that location is unsafe, the
9officer is authorized to have the disabled vehicle towed to
10the nearest place of safety.
11    For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
12rating, or GVWR, means the value specified by the manufacturer
13as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
14    (b) As used in this Section, "recycling haul" or
15"recycling operation" means the hauling of non-hazardous,
16non-special, non-putrescible materials, such as paper, glass,
17cans, or plastic, for subsequent use in the secondary
18materials market.
19    (c) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
20pneumatic tires shall be operated, unladen or with load, upon
21the highways of this State in violation of the provisions of
22any permit issued under the provisions of Sections 15-301
23through 15-318 of this Chapter.
24    (d) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
25other than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with
26load, upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on

 

 

HB5233- 15 -LRB103 35733 MXP 65814 b

1the road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
2width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
3surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
4    (e) No person shall operate a vehicle or combination of
5vehicles over a bridge or other elevated structure
6constituting part of a highway with a gross weight that is
7greater than the maximum weight permitted by the Department,
8when the structure is sign posted as provided in this Section.
9    (f) The Department upon request from any local authority
10shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an
11investigation of any bridge or other elevated structure
12constituting a part of a highway, and if it finds that the
13structure cannot with safety to itself withstand the weight of
14vehicles otherwise permissible under this Code the Department
15shall determine and declare the maximum weight of vehicles
16that the structures can withstand, and shall cause or permit
17suitable signs stating maximum weight to be erected and
18maintained before each end of the structure. No person shall
19operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles over any
20structure with a gross weight that is greater than the posted
21maximum weight.
22    (g) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation
23of subsection (e) or (f) of this Section, proof of the
24determination of the maximum allowable weight by the
25Department and the existence of the signs, constitutes
26conclusive evidence of the maximum weight that can be

 

 

HB5233- 16 -LRB103 35733 MXP 65814 b

1maintained with safety to the bridge or structure.
2(Source: P.A. 102-124, eff. 7-23-21.)