97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
SB2579

 

Introduced 1/18/2012, by Sen. John M. Sullivan

 

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

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes length limits for 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.


LRB097 16494 HEP 61662 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2579LRB097 16494 HEP 61662 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 or truck
22    tractor semitrailer-semitrailer may not exceed 60 feet
23    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 or one semitrailer.
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) (Blank). The distance between the kingpin and the
9    center of the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48
10    feet, in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed
11    45 feet 6 inches.
12        (3) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or
13    with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer
14    or truck tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination, may
15    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

 

 

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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

 

 

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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) (Blank). The distance between the kingpin and the
21    center of the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48
22    feet, in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed
23    45 feet 6 inches.
24        (3) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer or truck
25    tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination may not exceed
26    65 feet in dimension from front axle to rear axle.

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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1shall only be applicable upon highways designated in paragraphs
2(d) and (e) of this Section.
3    (j) Articulated vehicles comprised of 2 sections, neither
4of which exceeds a length of 42 feet, designed for the carrying
5of more than 10 persons, may be up to 60 feet in length, not
6including energy absorbing bumpers, provided that the vehicles
7are:
8        1. operated by or for any public body or motor carrier
9    authorized by law to provide public transportation
10    services; or
11        2. operated in local public transportation service by
12    any other person and the municipality in which the service
13    is to be provided approved the operation of the vehicle.
14    (j-1) (Blank).
15    (k) Any person who is convicted of violating this Section
16is subject to the penalty as provided in paragraph (b) of
17Section 15-113.
18    (l) (Blank).
19(Source: P.A. 96-34, eff. 1-1-10; 96-37, eff. 7-13-09; 96-1352,
20eff. 7-28-10; 97-200, eff. 7-27-11.)