97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB3537

 

Introduced 2/24/2011, by Rep. David Reis - John D. Cavaletto - Jil Tracy

 

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

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the length limits for the distance between the kingpin and the center of the rear axle of semitrailers longer than 48 feet shall not apply to trailers used for the transport of livestock.


LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB3537LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 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 highway
9of this State may not exceed 42 feet except the following:
10        (1) Semitrailers.
11        (2) Charter or regulated route buses may be up to 45
12    feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.
13    (a-1) A motor home as defined in Section 1-145.01 may be up
14to 45 feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.
15The length limitations described in this subsection (a-1) shall
16be exclusive of energy-absorbing bumpers and rear view mirrors.
17    (b) On all non-State highways, the maximum length of
18vehicles in combinations is as follows:
19        (1) A truck tractor in combination with a semitrailer
20    may not exceed 55 feet overall dimension.
21        (2) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer may not exceed
22    60 feet overall dimension.
23        (3) Combinations specially designed to transport motor

 

 

HB3537- 2 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

1    vehicles or boats may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.
2    Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting
3poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural
4nature that cannot readily be dismembered are exempt from
5length limitations, provided that no object may exceed 80 feet
6in length and the overall dimension of the vehicle including
7the load may not exceed 100 feet. This exemption does not apply
8to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Legal
9holidays referred to in this Section are the days on which the
10following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day;
11Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day;
12and Christmas Day.
13    Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
14route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or
15properties are exempt from length limitations, provided that
16during night operations every vehicle and its load must be
17equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both
18sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any projecting
19load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
20    A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
21combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6)
22of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
23limitations.
24    All other combinations not listed in this subsection (b)
25may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.
26    (c) Except as provided in subsections (c-1) and (c-2),

 

 

HB3537- 3 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

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

 

 

HB3537- 4 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

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

 

 

HB3537- 5 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

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

 

 

HB3537- 6 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

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

 

 

HB3537- 7 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

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

 

 

HB3537- 8 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

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

 

 

HB3537- 9 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

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

 

 

HB3537- 10 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

1    may not exceed 65 feet in dimension from front axle to rear
2    axle.
3        (4) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or
4    with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer
5    combination, may not exceed 28 feet 6 inches.
6        (5) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter 1,
7    may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
8        (6) A combination of vehicles, specifically designed
9    to transport motor vehicles or boats, may not exceed 65
10    feet overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive
11    of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of
12    the transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of
13    this Section.
14        (7) Stinger steered semitrailer vehicles, as defined
15    in Chapter 1, specifically designed to transport motor
16    vehicles or boats, may not exceed 75 feet overall
17    dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of front and
18    rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the
19    transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of this
20    Section.
21        (8) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks coupled
22    together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed 75
23    feet overall dimension.
24    Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting
25poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural
26nature that cannot readily be dismembered are exempt from

 

 

HB3537- 11 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

1length limitations, provided that no object may exceed 80 feet
2in length and the overall dimension of the vehicle including
3the load may not exceed 100 feet. This exemption does not apply
4to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Legal
5holidays referred to in this Section are the days on which the
6following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day;
7Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day;
8and Christmas Day.
9    Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
10route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or
11properties are exempt from length limitations, provided that
12during night operations every vehicle and its load must be
13equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both
14sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any projecting
15load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
16    A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
17combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6)
18of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
19limitations.
20    Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
21under their jurisdiction, may also by ordinance or resolution
22allow length limitations of this subsection (e).
23    The length limitations described in this paragraph (e)
24shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices,
25such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and
26other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary

 

 

HB3537- 12 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

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

 

 

HB3537- 13 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

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

 

 

HB3537- 14 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

1    may exceed 60 feet extreme overall dimension.
2        (4) The distance between the kingpin and the center
3    axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination
4    with a truck tractor, may not exceed 42 feet 6 inches. The
5    length limit contained in this paragraph (4) shall not
6    apply to trailers used for the transport of livestock.
7    (g) Length limitations in the preceding subsections of this
8Section 15-107 do not apply to the following:
9        (1) Vehicles operated in the daytime, except on
10    Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, when transporting
11    poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural
12    nature that cannot readily be dismembered, provided the
13    overall length of vehicle and load may not exceed 100 feet
14    and no object exceeding 80 feet in length may be
15    transported unless a permit has been obtained as authorized
16    in Section 15-301.
17        (2) Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility
18    while en route to make emergency repairs to public service
19    facilities or properties, but during night operation every
20    vehicle and its load must be equipped with a sufficient
21    number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps
22    upon the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly
23    mark the dimensions of the load.
24        (3) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle
25    or combination of disabled vehicles, provided the towing
26    vehicle meets the following conditions:

 

 

HB3537- 15 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

1            (A) It is specifically designed as a tow truck
2        having a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000
3        pounds and equipped with air brakes, provided that air
4        brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is
5        towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer
6        combination that is equipped with air brakes.
7            (B) It is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
8        oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet
9        in all directions.
10            (C) It is capable of utilizing the lighting and
11        braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination
12        of vehicles.
13            (D) It does not engage in a tow exceeding 50 miles
14        from the initial point of wreck or disablement.
15    The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
16additional requirements regarding length limitations for a tow
17truck towing another vehicle. The towing vehicle, however, may
18tow any disabled vehicle from the initial point of wreck or
19disablement to a point where repairs are actually to occur.
20This movement shall be valid only on State routes. The tower
21must abide by posted bridge weight limits.
22    For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
23rating, or GVWR, shall mean the value specified by the
24manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck. Legal
25holidays referred to in this Section shall be specified as the
26day on which the following traditional holidays are celebrated:

 

 

HB3537- 16 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

1    New Year's Day;
2    Memorial Day;
3    Independence Day;
4    Labor Day;
5    Thanksgiving Day; and
6    Christmas Day.
7    (h) The load upon any vehicle operated alone, or the load
8upon the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles, shall not
9extend more than 3 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle
10or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a
11front bumper. The provisions of this subsection (h) shall not
12apply to any vehicle or combination of vehicles specifically
13designed for the collection and transportation of waste,
14garbage, or recyclable materials during the vehicle's
15operation in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or
16recyclable materials if the vehicle is traveling at a speed not
17in excess of 15 miles per hour during the vehicle's operation
18and in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or recyclable
19materials. However, in no instance shall the load extend more
20than 7 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle or the front
21bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a front bumper.
22    (i) The load upon the front vehicle of a combination of
23vehicles specifically designed to transport motor vehicles
24shall not extend more than 3 feet beyond the foremost part of
25the transporting vehicle and the load upon the rear
26transporting vehicle shall not extend more than 4 feet beyond

 

 

HB3537- 17 -LRB097 10561 HEP 50908 b

1the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle. This paragraph
2shall only be applicable upon highways designated in paragraphs
3(d) and (e) of this Section.
4    (j) Articulated vehicles comprised of 2 sections, neither
5of which exceeds a length of 42 feet, designed for the carrying
6of more than 10 persons, may be up to 60 feet in length, not
7including energy absorbing bumpers, provided that the vehicles
8are:
9        1. operated by or for any public body or motor carrier
10    authorized by law to provide public transportation
11    services; or
12        2. operated in local public transportation service by
13    any other person and the municipality in which the service
14    is to be provided approved the operation of the vehicle.
15    (j-1) (Blank).
16    (k) Any person who is convicted of violating this Section
17is subject to the penalty as provided in paragraph (b) of
18Section 15-113.
19    (l) (Blank).
20(Source: P.A. 96-34, eff. 1-1-10; 96-37, eff. 7-13-09; 96-1352,
21eff. 7-28-10.)