SB2278 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 27842 MXP 54220 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB2278

Introduced 2/10/2023, by Sen. Mike Simmons

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

625 ILCS 5/15-103	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-103
625 ILCS 5/15-107	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-107
625 ILCS 5/15-116
625 ILCS 5/15-316	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-316

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction may also, by ordinance or resolution, prohibit the operation of trucks or other commercial vehicles, or may impose limitations as the weight, height, or length (rather than only weight) thereof, which prohibitions and limitations shall be marked by appropriate signs placed on such highways. Establishes that an agency or instrumentality of the State of Illinois or any unit of local government shall not be required to widen or otherwise alter a non-designated highway (regardless of its date of construction) to accommodate truck-tractor-semitrailer combinations. Provides that each unit of local government may (rather than shall) report to the Department of Transportation any limitations prohibiting the operation of vehicles imposed by ordinance or resolution in the unit of local government's non-designated highway system. Makes conforming changes.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Sections 15-103, 15-107, 15-116, and 15-316 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/15-103) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-103)

Sec. 15-103. Height of vehicles. Except as provided in Section 15-316, the The height of a vehicle from the under side of the tire to the top of the vehicle, inclusive of load, shall not exceed 13 feet, 6 inches on any highway in the State.

A person convicted of violating this Section is subject to the penalty provided in paragraph (b) of Section 15-113.

(Source: P.A. 92-417, eff. 1-1-02.)

(625 ILCS 5/15-107) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-107)

Sec. 15-107. Length of vehicles.

(a) The maximum length of a single vehicle on any highway of this State may not exceed 42 feet except the following:

(1) Semitrailers.

(2) Charter or regulated route buses may be up to 45 feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.

(a-1) A motor home as defined in Section 1-145.01 may be up to 45 feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers. The length limitations described in this subsection (a-1) shall be exclusive of energy-absorbing bumpers and rear view mirrors.

(b) (Blank).

(c) Except as provided in subsections (c-1) and (c-2), combinations of vehicles may not exceed a total of 2 vehicles except the following:

(1) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one trailer.

(2) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one converter dolly or one semitrailer.

(3) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one vehicle that is defined in Chapter 1 as special mobile equipment, provided the overall dimension does not exceed 60 feet.

(4) A truck in transit may draw 3 trucks in transit coupled together by the triple saddlemount method.

(5) Recreational vehicles consisting of 3 vehicles, provided the following:

(A) The total overall dimension does not exceed 60 feet.

(B) The towing vehicle is a properly registered vehicle capable of towing another vehicle using a fifth-wheel type assembly.

(C) The second vehicle in the combination of vehicles is a recreational vehicle that is towed by a fifth-wheel assembly. This vehicle must be properly registered and must be equipped with brakes, regardless of weight.

(D) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the 3 vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer designed or used for transporting a boat, all-terrain vehicle, personal watercraft, or motorcycle.

(E) The towed vehicles may be only for the use of the operator of the towing vehicle.

(F) All vehicles must be properly equipped with operating brakes and safety equipment required by this Code, except the additional brake requirement in subdivision (C) of this subparagraph (5).

(6) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles, provided the towing vehicle:

(A) Is specifically designed as a tow truck having a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds and equipped with air brakes, provided that air brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer combination that is equipped with air brakes. For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight rating, or GVWR, means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck.

(B) Is equipped with flashing, rotating, or oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet in all directions.

(C) Is capable of utilizing the lighting and braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles.

(D) Does not engage a tow exceeding 50 highway miles from the initial point of wreck or disablement to a place of repair. Any additional movement of the vehicles may occur only upon issuance of authorization for that movement under the provisions of Sections 15-301 through 15-318 of this Code.

The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe additional requirements regarding length limitations for a tow truck towing another vehicle.

For purposes of this Section, a tow-dolly that merely serves as substitute wheels for another legally licensed vehicle is considered part of the licensed vehicle and not a separate vehicle.

(7) Commercial vehicles consisting of 3 vehicles, provided the following:

(A) The total overall dimension does not exceed 65 feet.

(B) The towing vehicle is a properly registered vehicle capable of towing another vehicle using a fifth-wheel type assembly or a goose-neck hitch ball.

(C) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the 3 vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer.

(D) All vehicles must be properly equipped with operating brakes and safety equipment required by this Code.

(E) The combination of vehicles must be operated by a person who holds a commercial driver's license (CDL).

(F) The combination of vehicles must be en route to a location where new or used trailers are sold by an Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer dealer.

(c-1) A combination of 3 vehicles is allowed access to any State designated highway if:

(1) the length of neither towed vehicle exceeds 28.5 feet;

(2) the overall wheel base of the combination of vehicles does not exceed 62 feet; and

(3) the combination of vehicles is en route to a location where new or used trailers are sold by an Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer dealer.

(c-2) A combination of 3 vehicles is allowed access from any State designated highway onto any county, township, or municipal highway for a distance of 5 highway miles for the purpose of delivery or collection of one or both of the towed vehicles if:

(1) the length of neither towed vehicle exceeds 28.5 feet;

(2) the combination of vehicles does not exceed 40,000 pounds in gross weight and 8 feet 6 inches in width;

(3) there is no sign prohibiting that access;

(4) the route is not being used as a thoroughfare between State designated highways; and

(5) the combination of vehicles is en route to a location where new or used trailers are sold by an Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer dealer.

(d) On Class I highways there are no overall length limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations provided:

(1) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with load, in combination with a truck tractor may not exceed 53 feet.

(2) The distance between the kingpin and the center of the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet 6 inches. The limit contained in this paragraph (2) shall not apply to trailers or semi-trailers used for the transport of livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.

(3) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer or truck tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination, may not exceed 28 feet 6 inches.

(4) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter 1, may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.

(5) Combinations of vehicles specifically designed to transport motor vehicles or boats may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of this Section.

(6) Stinger-steered semitrailer vehicles specifically designed to transport motor vehicles or boats and automobile transporters, as defined in Chapter 1, may not exceed 80 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of this Section.

(7) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks coupled together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed 97 feet overall dimension.

(8) A towaway trailer transporter combination may not exceed 82 feet overall dimension.

Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature that cannot readily be dismantled or disassembled are exempt from length limitations, provided that no object may exceed 80 feet in length and the overall dimension of the vehicle including the load may not exceed 100 feet. This exemption does not apply to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Legal holidays referred to in this Section are the days on which the following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.

Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or properties are exempt from length limitations, provided that during night operations every vehicle and its load must be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.

A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6) of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length limitations.

The length limitations described in this paragraph (d) shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices, such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary for safe and efficient operation; except that no device excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use the capability to carry cargo.

Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the designation of highways under this paragraph (d).

(e) On Class II highways there are no overall length limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations, provided:

(1) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with load, in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 53 feet overall dimension.

(2) The distance between the kingpin and the center of the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet 6 inches. The limit contained in this paragraph (2) shall not apply to trailers or semi-trailers used for the transport of livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.

(3) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer or truck tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination may not exceed 65 feet in dimension from front axle to rear axle.

(4) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer or truck tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination, may not exceed 28 feet 6 inches.

(5) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter 1, may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.

(6) A combination of vehicles, specifically designed to transport motor vehicles or boats, may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of this Section.

(7) Stinger-steered semitrailer vehicles specifically designed to transport motor vehicles or boats may not exceed 80 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of this Section.

(8) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks coupled together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed 97 feet overall dimension.

(9) A towaway trailer transporter combination may not exceed 82 feet overall dimension.

Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature that cannot readily be dismantled or disassembled are exempt from length limitations, provided that no object may exceed 80 feet in length and the overall dimension of the vehicle including the load may not exceed 100 feet. This exemption does not apply to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Legal holidays referred to in this Section are the days on which the following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.

Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or properties are exempt from length limitations, provided that during night operations every vehicle and its load must be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.

A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6) of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length limitations.

Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction, may also by ordinance or resolution allow length limitations of this subsection (e).

The length limitations described in this paragraph (e) shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices, such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary for safe and efficient operation; except that no device excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use the capability to carry cargo.

Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the designation of highways under this paragraph (e).

(e-1) (Blank).

(e-2) Except as provided in subsection (e-3), combinations of vehicles over 65 feet in length, with no overall length limitation except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this Section, are allowed access as follows:

(1) From a Class I highway onto any street or highway for a distance of one highway mile for the purpose of loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest, provided there is no sign prohibiting that access.

(2) From a Class I or Class II highway onto any non-designated highway for a distance of 5 highway miles for the purpose of loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest if:

(A) there is no sign prohibiting that access; and

(B) the route is not being used as a thoroughfare between Class I or Class II highways.

(e-3) Combinations of vehicles over 65 feet in length operated by household goods carriers or towaway trailer transporter combinations, with no overall length limitations except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this Section, have unlimited access to points of loading, unloading, or delivery to or from a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer.

(f) On non-designated highways, except as provided in Section 15-316, the maximum length limitations for vehicles in combination are as follows:

(1) A truck tractor in combination with a semitrailer may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension. An agency or instrumentality of the State of Illinois or any unit of local government shall not be required to widen or otherwise alter a non-designated highway constructed before January 1, 2018 to accommodate truck tractor-semitrailer combinations under this paragraph (1).

(2) Semitrailers, unladen or with load, may not exceed 53 feet overall dimension.

(3) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer or truck tractor semitrailer-semitrailer may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.

(4) The distance between the kingpin and the center axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 42 feet 6 inches. The limit contained in this paragraph (4) shall not apply to trailers or semi-trailers used for the transport of livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.

(g) Length limitations in the preceding subsections of this Section 15-107 do not apply to the following:

(1) Vehicles operated in the daytime, except on Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, when transporting poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature that cannot readily be dismantled or disassembled, provided the overall length of vehicle and load may not exceed 100 feet and no object exceeding 80 feet in length may be transported unless a permit has been obtained as authorized in Section 15-301. As used in this Section, "legal holiday" means any of the following days: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.

(2) Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or properties, but during night operation every vehicle and its load must be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps upon the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.

(3) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6) of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length limitations.

The towing vehicle, however, may tow any disabled vehicle from the initial point of wreck or disablement to a point where repairs are actually to occur. This movement shall be valid only on State routes. The tower must abide by posted bridge weight limits.

All other combinations not listed in this subsection (f) may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.

(h) The load upon any vehicle operated alone, or the load upon the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles, shall not extend more than 3 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a front bumper. The provisions of this subsection (h) shall not apply to any vehicle or combination of vehicles specifically designed for the collection and transportation of waste, garbage, or recyclable materials during the vehicle's operation in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or recyclable materials if the vehicle is traveling at a speed not in excess of 15 miles per hour during the vehicle's operation and in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or recyclable materials. However, in no instance shall the load extend more than 7 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a front bumper.

(i) The load upon the front vehicle of an automobile transporter or a stinger-steered vehicle specifically designed to transport motor vehicles shall not extend more than 4 feet beyond the foremost part of the transporting vehicle and the load upon the rear transporting vehicle shall not extend more than 6 feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle. This paragraph shall only be applicable upon highways designated in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section.

(j) Articulated vehicles comprised of 2 sections, neither of which exceeds a length of 42 feet, designed for the carrying of more than 10 persons, may be up to 60 feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers, provided that the vehicles are:

1. operated by or for any public body or motor carrier authorized by law to provide public transportation services; or

2. operated in local public transportation service by any other person and the municipality in which the service is to be provided approved the operation of the vehicle.

(j-1) (Blank).

(k) Any person who is convicted of violating this Section is subject to the penalty as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 15-113.

(l) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 101-328, eff. 1-1-20; 102-124, eff. 7-23-21.)

(625 ILCS 5/15-116)

Sec. 15-116. Highway designations.

(a) The Department of Transportation shall maintain and provide a listing of all Class I and Class II designated streets and highways as defined in Chapter 1 of this Code.

(b) The Department shall also maintain and provide a listing of all local streets or highways that have been designated Class II by local agencies.

(c) Local agencies shall be responsible for reporting to the Department all streets and highways under their jurisdiction designated Class II. Local agencies shall also provide to the Department reference contact names and telephone numbers.

(d) The Department shall also maintain and provide an official map of the Designated State Truck Route System that includes State and local streets and highways that have been designated Class I or Class II.

(e) If a unit of local government has no Class II designated truck routes, the unit of local government shall affirm to the Department that it has no such truck routes.

(f) Each unit of local government shall may report to the Department, and the Department shall post on its official website, any limitations prohibiting the operation of vehicles imposed by ordinance or resolution in the unit of local government's non-designated highway system.

(Source: P.A. 101-328, eff. 1-1-20.)

(625 ILCS 5/15-316) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-316)

Sec. 15-316. When the Department or local authority may restrict right to use highways.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (g), local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction may by ordinance or resolution prohibit the operation of vehicles upon any such highway or impose restrictions as to the weight of vehicles to be operated upon any such highway, for a total period of not to exceed 90 days, measured in either consecutive or nonconsecutive days at the discretion of local authorities, in any one calendar year, whenever any said highway by reason of deterioration, rain, snow, or other climate conditions will be seriously damaged or destroyed unless the use of vehicles thereon is prohibited or the permissible weights thereof reduced.

(b) The local authority enacting any such ordinance or resolution shall erect or cause to be erected and maintained signs designating the provision of the ordinance or resolution at each end of that portion of any highway affected thereby, and the ordinance or resolution shall not be effective unless and until such signs are erected and maintained. To be effective, an ordinance or resolution passed to designate a Class II roadway need not require that signs be erected, but the designation shall be reported to the Department.

(c) Local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction may also, by ordinance or resolution, prohibit the operation of trucks or other commercial vehicles, or may impose limitations as the weight, height, or length thereof, on designated highways, which prohibitions and limitations shall be marked designated by appropriate signs placed on such highways.

(c-1) (Blank).

(c-5) Highway commissioners, with respect to roads under their authority, may not permanently post a road or portion thereof at a reduced weight limit unless the decision to do so is made in accordance with Section 6-201.22 of the Illinois Highway Code.

(d) The Department shall likewise have authority as hereinbefore granted to local authorities to determine by resolution and to impose restrictions as to the weight, height, or length of vehicles operated upon any highway under the jurisdiction of said department, and such restrictions shall be effective when signs giving notice thereof are erected upon the highway or portion of any highway affected by such resolution.

(d-1) (Blank).

(d-2) (Blank).

(e) When any vehicle is operated in violation of this Section, the owner or driver of the vehicle shall be deemed guilty of a violation and either the owner or the driver of the vehicle may be prosecuted for the violation. Any person, firm, or corporation convicted of violating this Section shall be fined $50 for any weight exceeding the posted limit up to the axle or gross weight limit allowed a vehicle as provided for in subsections (a) or (b) of Section 15-111 and $75 per every 500 pounds or fraction thereof for any weight exceeding that which is provided for in subsections (a) or (b) of Section 15-111.

(f) A municipality is authorized to enforce a county weight limit ordinance applying to county highways within its corporate limits and is entitled to the proceeds of any fines collected from the enforcement.

(g) An ordinance or resolution enacted by a county or township pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section shall not apply to cargo tank vehicles with two or three permanent axles when delivering propane for emergency heating purposes if the cargo tank is loaded at no more than 50 percent capacity, the gross vehicle weight of the vehicle does not exceed 32,000 pounds, and the driver of the cargo tank vehicle notifies the appropriate agency or agencies with jurisdiction over the highway before driving the vehicle on the highway pursuant to this subsection. The cargo tank vehicle must have an operating gauge on the cargo tank which indicates the amount of propane as a percent of capacity of the cargo tank. The cargo tank must have the capacity displayed on the cargo tank, or documentation of the capacity of the cargo tank must be available in the vehicle. For the purposes of this subsection, propane weighs 4.2 pounds per gallon. This subsection does not apply to municipalities. Nothing in this subsection shall allow cargo tank vehicles to cross bridges with posted weight restrictions if the vehicle exceeds the posted weight limit.

(Source: P.A. 101-328, eff. 1-1-20.)