100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB2492

 

Introduced , by Rep. Lawrence Walsh, Jr.

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 5/15-101  from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-101
625 ILCS 5/15-111  from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-111

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Code Chapter governing size, weight, and load of vehicles does not apply to fire apparatus or authorized emergency vehicles owned or operated by any governmental body or not-for-profit fire protection service organization or agency. Removes a provision providing that an emergency vehicle may not exceed 86,000 pounds gross weight or other listed weights.


LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB2492LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 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
5Sections 15-101 and 15-111 as follows:
 
6    (625 ILCS 5/15-101)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-101)
7    Sec. 15-101. Scope and effect of Chapter 15.
8    (a) It is unlawful for any person to drive or move on, upon
9or across or for the owner to cause or knowingly permit to be
10driven or moved on, upon or across any highway any vehicle or
11vehicles of a size and weight exceeding the limitations stated
12in this Chapter or otherwise in violation of this Chapter, and
13the maximum size and weight of vehicles herein specified shall
14be lawful throughout this State, and local authorities shall
15have no power or authority to alter such limitations except as
16express authority may be granted in this Chapter.
17    (b) The provisions of this Chapter governing size, weight,
18and load do not apply to fire apparatus, authorized emergency
19vehicles, or equipment for snow and ice removal operations
20owned or operated by any governmental body or not-for-profit
21fire protection service organization or agency, or to
22implements of husbandry, as defined in Chapter 1 of this Code,
23temporarily operated or towed in a combination upon a highway

 

 

HB2492- 2 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

1provided such combination does not consist of more than 3
2vehicles or, in the case of hauling fresh, perishable fruits or
3vegetables from farm to the point of first processing, not more
4than 3 wagons being towed by an implement of husbandry, or to a
5vehicle operated under the terms of a special permit issued
6hereunder. The provisions of this Chapter governing size and
7load do not apply to fire apparatus.
8    (c) The provisions of this Chapter governing size, weight,
9and load do not apply to any snow and ice removal equipment
10that is no more than 12 feet in width, if the equipment
11displays flags at least 18 inches square mounted on the
12driver's side of the snow plow.
13    These vehicles must be equipped with an illuminated
14rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber light or lights, or a
15flashing amber strobe light or lights, mounted on the top of
16the cab and of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet
17in normal sunlight. If the load on the transport vehicle blocks
18the visibility of the amber lighting from the rear of the
19vehicle, the vehicle must also be equipped with an illuminated
20rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber light or lights, or a
21flashing amber strobe light or lights, mounted on the rear of
22the load and of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet
23in normal sunlight.
24(Source: P.A. 99-717, eff. 8-5-16.)
 
25    (625 ILCS 5/15-111)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-111)

 

 

HB2492- 3 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

1    Sec. 15-111. Wheel and axle loads and gross weights.
2    (a) No vehicle or combination of vehicles with pneumatic
3tires may be operated, unladen or with load, when the total
4weight on the road surface exceeds the following: 20,000 pounds
5on a single axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle
6within the tandem exceeding 20,000 pounds; 80,000 pounds gross
7weight for vehicle combinations of 5 or more axles; or a total
8weight on a group of 2 or more consecutive axles in excess of
9that weight produced by the application of the following
10formula: W = 500 times the sum of (LN divided by N-1) + 12N +
1136, where "W" equals overall total weight on any group of 2 or
12more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds, "L" equals
13the distance measured to the nearest foot between extremes of
14any group of 2 or more consecutive axles, and "N" equals the
15number of axles in the group under consideration.
16    The above formula when expressed in tabular form results in
17allowable loads as follows:
 
18Distance measured
19to the nearest
20foot between the
21extremes of any         Maximum weight in pounds
22group of 2 or           of any group of
23more consecutive        2 or more consecutive axles
24axles
25feet2 axles3 axles4 axles5 axles6 axles

 

 

HB2492- 4 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

1434,000
2534,000
3634,000
4734,000
5838,000*42,000
6939,00042,500
71040,00043,500
81144,000
91245,00050,000
101345,50050,500
111446,50051,500
121547,00052,000
131648,00052,50058,000
141748,50053,50058,500
151849,50054,00059,000
161950,00054,50060,000
172051,00055,50060,50066,000
182151,50056,00061,00066,500
192252,50056,50061,50067,000
202353,00057,50062,50068,000
212454,00058,00063,00068,500
222554,50058,50063,50069,000
232655,50059,50064,00069,500
242756,00060,00065,00070,000
252857,00060,50065,50071,000
262957,50061,50066,00071,500

 

 

HB2492- 5 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

13058,50062,00066,50072,000
23159,00062,50067,50072,500
33260,00063,50068,00073,000
43364,00068,50074,000
53464,50069,00074,500
63565,50070,00075,000
73666,00070,50075,500
83766,50071,00076,000
93867,50072,00077,000
103968,00072,50077,500
114068,50073,00078,000
124169,50073,50078,500
134270,00074,00079,000
144370,50075,00080,000
154471,50075,500
164572,00076,000
174672,50076,500
184773,50077,500
194874,00078,000
204974,50078,500
215075,50079,000
225176,00080,000
235276,500
245377,500
255478,000
265578,500

 

 

HB2492- 6 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

15679,500
25780,000
3*If the distance between 2 axles is 96 inches or less, the 2
4axles are tandem axles and the maximum total weight may not
5exceed 34,000 pounds, notwithstanding the higher limit
6resulting from the application of the formula.
7    Vehicles not in a combination having more than 4 axles may
8not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (a) for 4
9axles measured between the extreme axles of the vehicle.
10    Vehicles in a combination having more than 6 axles may not
11exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (a) for 6
12axles measured between the extreme axles of the combination.
13    Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
14under their jurisdiction, without additional fees, may also by
15ordinance or resolution allow the weight limitations of this
16subsection, provided the maximum gross weight on any one axle
17shall not exceed 20,000 pounds and the maximum total weight on
18any tandem axle shall not exceed 34,000 pounds, on designated
19highways when appropriate regulatory signs giving notice are
20erected upon the street or highway or portion of any street or
21highway affected by the ordinance or resolution.
22    The following are exceptions to the above formula:
23        (1) Vehicles for which a different limit is established
24    and posted in accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code.
25        (2) Vehicles for which the Department of
26    Transportation and local authorities issue overweight

 

 

HB2492- 7 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

1    permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code.
2    These vehicles are not subject to the bridge formula.
3        (3) Cities having a population of more than 50,000 may
4    permit by ordinance axle loads on 2-axle motor vehicles 33
5    1/2% above those provided for herein, but the increase
6    shall not become effective until the city has officially
7    notified the Department of the passage of the ordinance and
8    shall not apply to those vehicles when outside of the
9    limits of the city, nor shall the gross weight of any
10    2-axle motor vehicle operating over any street of the city
11    exceed 40,000 pounds.
12        (4) Weight limitations shall not apply to vehicles
13    (including loads) operated by a public utility when
14    transporting equipment required for emergency repair of
15    public utility facilities or properties or water wells.
16        (4.5) A 3-axle or 4-axle vehicle (including when laden)
17    operated or hired by a municipality within Cook, Lake,
18    McHenry, Kane, DuPage, or Will county being operated for
19    the purpose of performing emergency sewer repair that would
20    be subject to a weight limitation less than 66,000 pounds
21    under the formula in this subsection (a) shall have a
22    weight limitation of 66,000 pounds or the vehicle's gross
23    vehicle weight rating, whichever is less. This paragraph
24    (4.5) does not apply to vehicles being operated on the
25    National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, or to
26    vehicles being operated on bridges or other elevated

 

 

HB2492- 8 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

1    structures constituting a part of a highway.
2        (5) Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a
3    total weight of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance
4    between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of
5    tandem axles is 36 feet or more, notwithstanding the lower
6    limit resulting from the application of the above formula.
7        (6) A truck, not in combination and used exclusively
8    for the collection of rendering materials, may, when laden,
9    transmit upon the road surface, except when on part of the
10    National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, the
11    following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle;
12    40,000 pounds on a tandem axle.
13        (7) A truck not in combination, equipped with a self
14    compactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and roll-off
15    container, used exclusively for garbage, refuse, or
16    recycling operations, may, when laden, transmit upon the
17    road surface, except when on part of the National System of
18    Interstate and Defense Highways, the following maximum
19    weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
20    tandem axle; 40,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle
21    vehicle; 54,000 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle.
22    This vehicle is not subject to the bridge formula.
23        (7.5) A 3-axle rear discharge truck mixer registered as
24    a Special Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the mixing
25    and transportation of concrete in the plastic state, may,
26    when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except when on

 

 

HB2492- 9 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

1    part of the National System of Interstate and Defense
2    Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on
3    single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle; 54,000 pounds
4    gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle. This vehicle is not
5    subject to the bridge formula.
6        (8) Except as provided in paragraph (7.5) of this
7    subsection (a), tandem axles on a 3-axle truck registered
8    as a Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in
9    the model year of 2024 and first registered in Illinois
10    prior to January 1, 2025, with a distance greater than 72
11    inches but not more than 96 inches between any series of 2
12    axles, is allowed a combined weight on the series not to
13    exceed 36,000 pounds and neither axle of the series may
14    exceed 20,000 pounds. Any vehicle of this type manufactured
15    after the model year of 2024 or first registered in
16    Illinois after December 31, 2024 may not exceed a combined
17    weight of 34,000 pounds through the series of 2 axles and
18    neither axle of the series may exceed 20,000 pounds.
19        A 3-axle combination sewer cleaning jetting vacuum
20    truck registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle, used
21    exclusively for the transportation of non-hazardous solid
22    waste, manufactured before or in the model year of 2014,
23    first registered in Illinois before January 1, 2015, may,
24    when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except when on
25    part of the National System of Interstate and Defense
26    Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a

 

 

HB2492- 10 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

1    single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle; 54,000 pounds
2    gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle. This vehicle is not
3    subject to the bridge formula.
4        (9) A 4-axle truck mixer registered as a Special
5    Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the mixing and
6    transportation of concrete in the plastic state, and not
7    operated on a highway that is part of the National System
8    of Interstate Highways, is allowed the following maximum
9    weights: 20,000 pounds on any single axle; 36,000 pounds on
10    a series of axles greater than 72 inches but not more than
11    96 inches; and 34,000 pounds on any series of 2 axles
12    greater than 40 inches but not more than 72 inches. The
13    gross weight of this vehicle may not exceed the weights
14    allowed by the bridge formula for 4 axles. The bridge
15    formula does not apply to any series of 3 axles while the
16    vehicle is transporting concrete in the plastic state, but
17    no axle or tandem axle of the series may exceed the maximum
18    weight permitted under this paragraph (9) of subsection
19    (a).
20        (10) Combinations of vehicles, registered as Special
21    Hauling Vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured
22    prior to or in the model year of 2024, and registered in
23    Illinois prior to January 1, 2025, having 5 axles with a
24    distance of 42 feet or less between extreme axles, may not
25    exceed the following maximum weights: 20,000 pounds on a
26    single axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle; and 72,000

 

 

HB2492- 11 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

1    pounds gross weight. This combination of vehicles is not
2    subject to the bridge formula. For all those combinations
3    of vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured after
4    the effective date of P.A. 92-0417, the overall distance
5    between the first and last axles of the 2 sets of tandems
6    must be 18 feet 6 inches or more. Any combination of
7    vehicles that has had its cargo container replaced in its
8    entirety after December 31, 2024 may not exceed the weights
9    allowed by the bridge formula.
10        (11) The maximum weight allowed on a vehicle with
11    crawler type tracks is 40,000 pounds.
12        (12) A combination of vehicles, including a tow truck
13    and a disabled vehicle or disabled combination of vehicles,
14    that exceeds the weight restriction imposed by this Code,
15    may be operated on a public highway in this State provided
16    that neither the disabled vehicle nor any vehicle being
17    towed nor the tow truck itself shall exceed the weight
18    limitations permitted under this Chapter. During the
19    towing operation, neither the tow truck nor the vehicle
20    combination shall exceed 24,000 pounds on a single rear
21    axle and 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle, provided the
22    towing vehicle:
23            (i) is specifically designed as a tow truck having
24        a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds
25        and is equipped with air brakes, provided that air
26        brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is

 

 

HB2492- 12 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

1        towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer
2        combination that is equipped with air brakes;
3            (ii) is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
4        oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet
5        in all directions;
6            (iii) is capable of utilizing the lighting and
7        braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination
8        of vehicles; and
9            (iv) does not engage in a tow exceeding 20 miles
10        from the initial point of wreck or disablement. Any
11        additional movement of the vehicles may occur only upon
12        issuance of authorization for that movement under the
13        provisions of Sections 15-301 through 15-319 of this
14        Code. The towing vehicle, however, may tow any disabled
15        vehicle to a point where repairs are actually to occur.
16        This movement shall be valid only on State routes. The
17        tower must abide by posted bridge weight limits.
18        (12.5) The vehicle weight limitations in this Section
19    do not apply to a covered heavy duty tow and recovery
20    vehicle. The covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicle
21    license plate must cover the operating empty weight of the
22    covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicle only.
23        (13) Upon and during a declaration of an emergency
24    propane supply disaster by the Governor under Section 7 of
25    the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act:
26            (i) a truck not in combination, equipped with a

 

 

HB2492- 13 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

1        cargo tank, used exclusively for the transportation of
2        propane or liquefied petroleum gas may, when laden,
3        transmit upon the road surface, except when on part of
4        the National System of Interstate and Defense
5        Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds
6        on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle;
7        40,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle vehicle; 54,000
8        pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle; and
9            (ii) a truck when in combination with a trailer
10        equipped with a cargo tank used exclusively for the
11        transportation of propane or liquefied petroleum gas
12        may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except
13        when on part of the National System of Interstate and
14        Defense Highways, the following maximum weights:
15        22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
16        tandem axle; 90,000 pounds gross weight on a 5-axle or
17        6-axle vehicle.
18        Vehicles operating under this paragraph (13) are not
19    subject to the bridge formula.
20        (14) A vehicle or combination of vehicles that uses
21    natural gas or propane gas as a motor fuel may exceed the
22    above weight limitations by up to 2,000 pounds, the total
23    allowance is calculated by an amount that is equal to the
24    difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable
25    to the natural gas or propane gas tank and fueling system
26    carried by the vehicle, and the weight of a comparable

 

 

HB2492- 14 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

1    diesel tank and fueling system. This paragraph (14) shall
2    not allow a vehicle to exceed any posted weight limit on a
3    highway or structure.
4        (15) (Blank). An emergency vehicle that is a vehicle
5    designed to be used under emergency conditions to transport
6    personnel and equipment, and used to support the
7    suppression of fires and mitigation of other hazardous
8    situations, may not exceed 86,000 pounds gross weight, or
9    any of the following weight allowances:
10            (i) 24,000 pounds on a single steering axle;
11            (ii) 33,500 pounds on a single drive axle;
12            (iii) 62,000 pounds on a tandem axle; or
13            (iv) 52,000 pounds on a tandem rear drive steer
14        axle.
15        (16) A bus, motor coach, or recreational vehicle may
16    carry a total weight of 24,000 pounds on a single axle, but
17    may not exceed other weight provisions of this Section.
18    Gross weight limits shall not apply to the combination of
19the tow truck and vehicles being towed. The tow truck license
20plate must cover the operating empty weight of the tow truck
21only. The weight of each vehicle being towed shall be covered
22by a valid license plate issued to the owner or operator of the
23vehicle being towed and displayed on that vehicle. If no valid
24plate issued to the owner or operator of that vehicle is
25displayed on that vehicle, or the plate displayed on that
26vehicle does not cover the weight of the vehicle, the weight of

 

 

HB2492- 15 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

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

 

 

HB2492- 16 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

1any permit issued under the provisions of Sections 15-301
2through 15-319 of this Chapter.
3    (d) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
4other than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with
5load, upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on
6the road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
7width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
8surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
9    (e) No person shall operate a vehicle or combination of
10vehicles over a bridge or other elevated structure constituting
11part of a highway with a gross weight that is greater than the
12maximum weight permitted by the Department, when the structure
13is sign posted as provided in this Section.
14    (f) The Department upon request from any local authority
15shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation
16of any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part
17of a highway, and if it finds that the structure cannot with
18safety to itself withstand the weight of vehicles otherwise
19permissible under this Code the Department shall determine and
20declare the maximum weight of vehicles that the structures can
21withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating
22maximum weight to be erected and maintained before each end of
23the structure. No person shall operate a vehicle or combination
24of vehicles over any structure with a gross weight that is
25greater than the posted maximum weight.
26    (g) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation

 

 

HB2492- 17 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

1of subsection (e) or (f) of this Section, proof of the
2determination of the maximum allowable weight by the Department
3and the existence of the signs, constitutes conclusive evidence
4of the maximum weight that can be maintained with safety to the
5bridge or structure.
6(Source: P.A. 98-409, eff. 1-1-14; 98-410, eff. 8-16-13;
798-756, eff. 7-16-14; 98-942, eff. 1-1-15; 98-956, eff. 1-1-15;
898-1029, eff. 1-1-15; 99-78, eff. 7-20-15; 99-717, eff.
98-5-16.)