Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SB2278
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Full Text of SB2278  103rd General Assembly

SB2278sam002 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. Mike Simmons

Filed: 3/30/2023

 

 


 

 


 
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1
AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 2278

2    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 2278, AS AMENDED,
3by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the
4following:
 
5    "Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by
6changing Sections 15-107 and 15-116 as follows:
 
7    (625 ILCS 5/15-107)   (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-107)
8    Sec. 15-107. Length of vehicles.
9    (a) The maximum length of a single vehicle on any highway
10of this State may not exceed 42 feet except the following:
11        (1) Semitrailers.
12        (2) Charter or regulated route buses may be up to 45
13    feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.
14    (a-1) A motor home as defined in Section 1-145.01 may be up
15to 45 feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.
16The length limitations described in this subsection (a-1)

 

 

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

 

 

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1            (D) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the 3
2        vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer designed or
3        used for transporting a boat, all-terrain vehicle,
4        personal watercraft, or motorcycle.
5            (E) The towed vehicles may be only for the use of
6        the operator of the towing vehicle.
7            (F) All vehicles must be properly equipped with
8        operating brakes and safety equipment required by this
9        Code, except the additional brake requirement in
10        subdivision (C) of this subparagraph (5).
11        (6) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle
12    or combination of disabled vehicles, provided the towing
13    vehicle:
14            (A) Is specifically designed as a tow truck having
15        a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000
16        pounds and equipped with air brakes, provided that air
17        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. For the
20        purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
21        rating, or GVWR, means the value specified by the
22        manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
23            (B) Is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
24        oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500
25        feet in all directions.
26            (C) Is capable of utilizing the lighting and

 

 

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1        braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination
2        of vehicles.
3            (D) Does not engage a tow exceeding 50 highway
4        miles from the initial point of wreck or disablement
5        to a place of repair. Any additional movement of the
6        vehicles may occur only upon issuance of authorization
7        for that movement under the provisions of Sections
8        15-301 through 15-318 of this Code.
9        The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
10    additional requirements regarding length limitations for a
11    tow truck towing another vehicle.
12        For purposes of this Section, a tow-dolly that merely
13    serves as substitute wheels for another legally licensed
14    vehicle is considered part of the licensed vehicle and not
15    a separate vehicle.
16        (7) Commercial vehicles consisting of 3 vehicles,
17    provided the following:
18            (A) The total overall dimension does not exceed 65
19        feet.
20            (B) The towing vehicle is a properly registered
21        vehicle capable of towing another vehicle using a
22        fifth-wheel type assembly or a goose-neck hitch ball.
23            (C) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the 3
24        vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer.
25            (D) All vehicles must be properly equipped with
26        operating brakes and safety equipment required by this

 

 

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1        Code.
2            (E) The combination of vehicles must be operated
3        by a person who holds a commercial driver's license
4        (CDL).
5            (F) The combination of vehicles must be en route
6        to a location where new or used trailers are sold by an
7        Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer
8        dealer.
9    (c-1) A combination of 3 vehicles is allowed access to any
10State designated highway if:
11        (1) the length of neither towed vehicle exceeds 28.5
12    feet;
13        (2) the overall wheel base of the combination of
14    vehicles does not exceed 62 feet; and
15        (3) the combination of vehicles is en route to a
16    location where new or used trailers are sold by an
17    Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer
18    dealer.
19    (c-2) A combination of 3 vehicles is allowed access from
20any State designated highway onto any county, township, or
21municipal highway for a distance of 5 highway miles for the
22purpose of delivery or collection of one or both of the towed
23vehicles if:
24        (1) the length of neither towed vehicle exceeds 28.5
25    feet;
26        (2) the combination of vehicles does not exceed 40,000

 

 

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1    pounds in gross weight and 8 feet 6 inches in width;
2        (3) there is no sign prohibiting that access;
3        (4) the route is not being used as a thoroughfare
4    between State designated highways; and
5        (5) the combination of vehicles is en route to a
6    location where new or used trailers are sold by an
7    Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer
8    dealer.
9    (d) On Class I highways there are no overall length
10limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations
11provided:
12        (1) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with load,
13    in combination with a truck tractor may not exceed 53
14    feet.
15        (2) The distance between the kingpin and the center of
16    the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in
17    combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet 6
18    inches. The limit contained in this paragraph (2) shall
19    not apply to trailers or semi-trailers used for the
20    transport of livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.
21        (3) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or
22    with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer
23    or truck tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination, may
24    not exceed 28 feet 6 inches.
25        (4) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter 1,
26    may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.

 

 

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1        (5) Combinations of vehicles specifically designed to
2    transport motor vehicles or boats may not exceed 65 feet
3    overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of
4    front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of
5    the transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of
6    this Section.
7        (6) Stinger-steered semitrailer vehicles specifically
8    designed to transport motor vehicles or boats and
9    automobile transporters, as defined in Chapter 1, may not
10    exceed 80 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is
11    inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the
12    overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in
13    paragraph (i) of this Section.
14        (7) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks coupled
15    together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed
16    97 feet overall dimension.
17        (8) A towaway trailer transporter combination may not
18    exceed 82 feet overall dimension.
19    Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting
20poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural
21nature that cannot readily be dismantled or disassembled are
22exempt from length limitations, provided that no object may
23exceed 80 feet in length and the overall dimension of the
24vehicle including the load may not exceed 100 feet. This
25exemption does not apply to operation on a Saturday, Sunday,
26or legal holiday. Legal holidays referred to in this Section

 

 

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1are the days on which the following traditional holidays are
2celebrated: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day;
3Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
4    Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
5route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities
6or properties are exempt from length limitations, provided
7that during night operations every vehicle and its load must
8be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on
9both sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any
10projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
11    A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
12combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6)
13of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
14limitations.
15    The length limitations described in this paragraph (d)
16shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices,
17such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and
18other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary
19for safe and efficient operation; except that no device
20excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use
21the capability to carry cargo.
22    Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
23relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
24designation of highways under this paragraph (d).
25    (e) On Class II highways there are no overall length
26limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations,

 

 

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1provided:
2        (1) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with load,
3    in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 53
4    feet overall dimension.
5        (2) The distance between the kingpin and the center of
6    the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in
7    combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet 6
8    inches. The limit contained in this paragraph (2) shall
9    not apply to trailers or semi-trailers used for the
10    transport of livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.
11        (3) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer or truck
12    tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination may not exceed
13    65 feet in dimension from front axle to rear axle.
14        (4) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or
15    with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer
16    or truck tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination, may
17    not exceed 28 feet 6 inches.
18        (5) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter 1,
19    may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
20        (6) A combination of vehicles, specifically designed
21    to transport motor vehicles or boats, may not exceed 65
22    feet overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive
23    of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of
24    the transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of
25    this Section.
26        (7) Stinger-steered semitrailer vehicles specifically

 

 

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1    designed to transport motor vehicles or boats may not
2    exceed 80 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is
3    inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the
4    overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in
5    paragraph (i) of this Section.
6        (8) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks coupled
7    together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed
8    97 feet overall dimension.
9        (9) A towaway trailer transporter combination may not
10    exceed 82 feet overall dimension.
11    Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting
12poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural
13nature that cannot readily be dismantled or disassembled are
14exempt from length limitations, provided that no object may
15exceed 80 feet in length and the overall dimension of the
16vehicle including the load may not exceed 100 feet. This
17exemption does not apply to operation on a Saturday, Sunday,
18or legal holiday. Legal holidays referred to in this Section
19are the days on which the following traditional holidays are
20celebrated: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day;
21Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
22    Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
23route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities
24or properties are exempt from length limitations, provided
25that during night operations every vehicle and its load must
26be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on

 

 

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1both sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any
2projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
3    A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
4combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6)
5of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
6limitations.
7    Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
8under their jurisdiction, may also by ordinance or resolution
9allow length limitations of this subsection (e).
10    The length limitations described in this paragraph (e)
11shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices,
12such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and
13other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary
14for safe and efficient operation; except that no device
15excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use
16the capability to carry cargo.
17    Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
18relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
19designation of highways under this paragraph (e).
20    (e-1) (Blank).
21    (e-2) Except as provided in subsection (e-3), combinations
22of vehicles over 65 feet in length, with no overall length
23limitation except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of
24this Section, are allowed access as follows:
25        (1) From a Class I highway onto any street or highway
26    for a distance of one highway mile for the purpose of

 

 

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1    loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest,
2    provided there is no sign prohibiting that access.
3        (2) From a Class I or Class II highway onto any
4    non-designated highway for a distance of 5 highway miles
5    for the purpose of loading, unloading, food, fuel,
6    repairs, and rest if:
7            (A) there is no sign prohibiting that access; and
8            (B) the route is not being used as a thoroughfare
9        between Class I or Class II highways.
10    (e-3) Combinations of vehicles over 65 feet in length
11operated by household goods carriers or towaway trailer
12transporter combinations, with no overall length limitations
13except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this Section,
14have unlimited access to points of loading, unloading, or
15delivery to or from a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer.
16    (f) On non-designated highways, the maximum length
17limitations for vehicles in combination are as follows:
18        (1) A truck tractor in combination with a semitrailer
19    may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension. An agency or
20    instrumentality of the State of Illinois or any unit of
21    local government shall not be required to design or
22    construct a new non-designated highway or to widen or
23    otherwise alter a non-designated highway constructed
24    before January 1, 2018 to accommodate truck
25    tractor-semitrailer combinations under this paragraph (1).
26        (2) Semitrailers, unladen or with load, may not exceed

 

 

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1    53 feet overall dimension.
2        (3) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer or truck
3    tractor semitrailer-semitrailer may not exceed 60 feet
4    overall dimension.
5        (4) The distance between the kingpin and the center
6    axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination
7    with a truck tractor, may not exceed 42 feet 6 inches. The
8    limit contained in this paragraph (4) shall not apply to
9    trailers or semi-trailers used for the transport of
10    livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.
11    (g) Length limitations in the preceding subsections of
12this Section 15-107 do not apply to the following:
13        (1) Vehicles operated in the daytime, except on
14    Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, when transporting
15    poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural
16    nature that cannot readily be dismantled or disassembled,
17    provided the overall length of vehicle and load may not
18    exceed 100 feet and no object exceeding 80 feet in length
19    may be transported unless a permit has been obtained as
20    authorized in Section 15-301. As used in this Section,
21    "legal holiday" means any of the following days: New
22    Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day;
23    Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
24        (2) Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility
25    while en route to make emergency repairs to public service
26    facilities or properties, but during night operation every

 

 

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1    vehicle and its load must be equipped with a sufficient
2    number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps
3    upon the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly
4    mark the dimensions of the load.
5        (3) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle
6    or combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in
7    paragraph (6) of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt
8    from length limitations.
9     The towing vehicle, however, may tow any disabled vehicle
10from the initial point of wreck or disablement to a point where
11repairs are actually to occur. This movement shall be valid
12only on State routes. The tower must abide by posted bridge
13weight limits.
14    All other combinations not listed in this subsection (f)
15may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.
16    (h) The load upon any vehicle operated alone, or the load
17upon the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles, shall not
18extend more than 3 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle
19or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a
20front bumper. The provisions of this subsection (h) shall not
21apply to any vehicle or combination of vehicles specifically
22designed for the collection and transportation of waste,
23garbage, or recyclable materials during the vehicle's
24operation in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or
25recyclable materials if the vehicle is traveling at a speed
26not in excess of 15 miles per hour during the vehicle's

 

 

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1operation and in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or
2recyclable materials. However, in no instance shall the load
3extend more than 7 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle
4or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a
5front bumper.
6    (i) The load upon the front vehicle of an automobile
7transporter or a stinger-steered vehicle specifically designed
8to transport motor vehicles shall not extend more than 4 feet
9beyond the foremost part of the transporting vehicle and the
10load upon the rear transporting vehicle shall not extend more
11than 6 feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle.
12This paragraph shall only be applicable upon highways
13designated in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section.
14    (j) Articulated vehicles comprised of 2 sections, neither
15of which exceeds a length of 42 feet, designed for the carrying
16of more than 10 persons, may be up to 60 feet in length, not
17including energy absorbing bumpers, provided that the vehicles
18are:
19        1. operated by or for any public body or motor carrier
20    authorized by law to provide public transportation
21    services; or
22        2. operated in local public transportation service by
23    any other person and the municipality in which the service
24    is to be provided approved the operation of the vehicle.
25    (j-1) (Blank).
26    (k) Any person who is convicted of violating this Section

 

 

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1is subject to the penalty as provided in paragraph (b) of
2Section 15-113.
3    (l) (Blank).
4(Source: P.A. 101-328, eff. 1-1-20; 102-124, eff. 7-23-21.)
 
5    (625 ILCS 5/15-116)
6    Sec. 15-116. Highway designations.
7    (a) The Department of Transportation shall maintain and
8provide a listing of all Class I and Class II designated
9streets and highways as defined in Chapter 1 of this Code.
10    (b) The Department shall also maintain and provide a
11listing of all local streets or highways that have been
12designated Class II by local agencies.
13    (c) Local agencies shall be responsible for reporting to
14the Department all streets and highways under their
15jurisdiction designated Class II. Local agencies shall also
16provide to the Department reference contact names and
17telephone numbers.
18    (d) The Department shall also maintain and provide an
19official map of the Designated State Truck Route System that
20includes State and local streets and highways that have been
21designated Class I or Class II.
22    (e) If a unit of local government has no Class II
23designated truck routes, the unit of local government shall
24affirm to the Department that it has no such truck routes.
25    (f) Each unit of local government shall may report to the

 

 

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1Department, and the Department shall post on its official
2website, any limitations prohibiting the operation of vehicles
3imposed by ordinance or resolution in the unit of local
4government's non-designated highway system and any
5non-designated highway that is not designed and constructed
6after January 1, 2023 to the overall length dimension of
7vehicles permitted under paragraph (1) of subsection (f) of
8Section 15-107.
9(Source: P.A. 101-328, eff. 1-1-20.)".