Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SB1738
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Full Text of SB1738  94th General Assembly

SB1738eng 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY



 


 
SB1738 Engrossed LRB094 09409 DRH 39656 b

1     AN ACT in relation to vehicles.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing
5 Section 15-111 as follows:
 
6     (625 ILCS 5/15-111)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-111)
7     Sec. 15-111. Wheel and axle loads and gross weights.
8     (a) On non-designated highways, no vehicle or combination
9 of vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires may be operated,
10 unladen or with load, when the total weight transmitted to the
11 road surface exceeds 18,000 pounds on a single axle or 32,000
12 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle within the tandem
13 exceeding 18,000 pounds except:
14         (1) when a different limit is established and posted in
15     accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code;
16         (2) vehicles for which the Department of
17     Transportation and local authorities issue overweight
18     permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code;
19         (3) tow trucks subject to the conditions provided in
20     subsection (d) may not exceed 24,000 pounds on a single
21     rear axle or 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle;
22         (4) any single axle of a 2-axle truck weighing 36,000
23     pounds or less and not a part of a combination of vehicles,
24     shall not exceed 20,000 pounds;
25         (5) any single axle of a 2-axle truck equipped with a
26     personnel lift or digger derrick, weighing 36,000 pounds or
27     less, owned and operated by a public utility, shall not
28     exceed 20,000 pounds;
29         (6) any single axle of a 2-axle truck specially
30     equipped with a front loading compactor used exclusively
31     for garbage, refuse, or recycling may not exceed 20,000
32     pounds per axle, provided that the gross weight of the

 

 

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1     vehicle does not exceed 40,000 pounds;
2         (7) a truck, not in combination and specially equipped
3     with a selfcompactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and
4     roll-off container, used exclusively for garbage or refuse
5     operations may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface
6     the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single
7     axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle;
8         (8) a truck, not in combination and used exclusively
9     for the collection of rendering materials, may, when laden,
10     transmit upon the road surface the following maximum
11     weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
12     tandem axle;
13         (9) tandem axles on a 3-axle truck registered as a
14     Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in the
15     model year of 2014 and first registered in Illinois prior
16     to January 1, 2015, with a distance greater than 72 inches
17     but not more than 96 inches between any series of 2 axles,
18     is allowed a combined weight on the series not to exceed
19     36,000 pounds and neither axle of the series may exceed
20     18,000 pounds. Any vehicle of this type manufactured after
21     the model year of 2014 or first registered in Illinois
22     after December 31, 2014 may not exceed a combined weight of
23     32,000 pounds through the series of 2 axles and neither
24     axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds;
25         (10) tandem axles on a 4-axle truck mixer, whose fourth
26     axle is a road surface engaging mixer trailing axle,
27     registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively
28     for the mixing and transportation of concrete and
29     manufactured prior to or in the model year of 2014 and
30     first registered in Illinois prior to January 1, 2015, with
31     a distance greater than 72 inches but not more than 96
32     inches between any series of 2 axles, is allowed a combined
33     weight on the series not to exceed 36,000 pounds and
34     neither axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds. Any
35     vehicle of this type manufactured after the model year of
36     2014 or first registered in Illinois after December 31,

 

 

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1     2014 may not exceed a combined weight of 32,000 pounds
2     through the series of 2 axles and neither axle of the
3     series may exceed 18,000 pounds;
4         (11) 4-axle vehicles or a 5 or more axle combination of
5     vehicles: The weight transmitted upon the road surface
6     through any series of 3 axles whose centers are more than
7     96 inches apart, measured between extreme axles in the
8     series, may not exceed those allowed in the table contained
9     in subsection (f) of this Section. No axle or tandem axle
10     of the series may exceed the maximum weight permitted under
11     this Section for a single or tandem axle.
12     No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with other
13 than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with load,
14 upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on the
15 road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
16 width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
17 surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
18     (b) On non-designated highways, the gross weight of
19 vehicles and combination of vehicles including the weight of
20 the vehicle or combination and its maximum load shall be
21 subject to the foregoing limitations and further shall not
22 exceed the following gross weights dependent upon the number of
23 axles and distance between extreme axles of the vehicle or
24 combination measured longitudinally to the nearest foot.
 
25 VEHICLES HAVING 2 AXLES ....................... 36,000 pounds
 
26
VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS
27 HAVING 3 AXLES
 
28With TandemWith or
29  AxlesWithout
30Tandem Axles
31MinimumMinimum
32distance toMaximumdistance toMaximum
33nearest footGrossnearest footGross
34betweenWeightbetweenWeight

 

 

 

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1extreme axles(pounds)extreme axles(pounds)
210 feet41,00016 feet46,000
31142,0001747,000
41243,0001847,500
51344,0001948,000
61444,5002049,000
71545,00021 feet or more50,000
8
9VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS HAVING 4 AXLES
10MinimumMinimum
11distance toMaximumdistance toMaximum
12nearest footGrossnearest footGross
13betweenWeightbetweenWeight
14extreme axles(pounds)extreme axles(pounds)
1515 feet50,00026 feet57,500
161650,5002758,000
171751,5002858,500
181852,0002959,500
191952,5003060,000
202053,5003160,500
212154,0003261,500
222254,5003362,000
232355,5003462,500
242456,0003563,500
252556,50036 feet or more64,000
26    A vehicle not in a combination having more than 4 axles may
27not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (b) for 4
28axles measured between the extreme axles of the vehicle.
29
30COMBINATIONS HAVING 5 OR MORE AXLES
31Minimum distance toMaximum
32nearest foot betweenGross Weight
33extreme axles(pounds)
3442 feet or less72,000
354373,000
3644 feet or more73,280

 

 

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1 VEHICLES OPERATING ON CRAWLER TYPE TRACKS ..... 40,000 pounds
 
2
TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SELFCOMPACTORS
3 OR ROLL-OFF HOISTS AND ROLL-OFF CONTAINERS FOR GARBAGE ,
4
OR
REFUSE
, OR RECYCLING
HAULS ONLY AND TRUCKS USED FOR
5
THE COLLECTION OF RENDERING MATERIALS
6 On Highway Not Part of National System
7 of Interstate and Defense Highways
8 with 2 axles                                    36,000 pounds
9 with 3 axles                                    54,000 pounds
 
10
TWO AXLE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH
11 A FRONT LOADING COMPACTOR USED EXCLUSIVELY
12 FOR THE COLLECTION OF GARBAGE, REFUSE, OR RECYCLING
13 with 2 axles                                    40,000 pounds
 
14     (b-1) As used in this Section, a "recycling haul" or
15 "recycling operation" means the hauling of segregated,
16 non-hazardous, non-special, homogeneous non-putrescible
17 materials, such as paper, glass, cans, or plastic, for
18 subsequent use in the secondary materials market.
19     (c) Cities having a population of more than 50,000 may
20 permit by ordinance axle loads on 2 axle motor vehicles 33 1/2%
21 above those provided for herein, but the increase shall not
22 become effective until the city has officially notified the
23 Department of the passage of the ordinance and shall not apply
24 to those vehicles when outside of the limits of the city, nor
25 shall the gross weight of any 2 axle motor vehicle operating
26 over any street of the city exceed 40,000 pounds.
27     (d) Weight limitations shall not apply to vehicles
28 (including loads) operated by a public utility when
29 transporting equipment required for emergency repair of public
30 utility facilities or properties or water wells.
31     A combination of vehicles, including a tow truck and a
32 disabled vehicle or disabled combination of vehicles, that

 

 

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1 exceeds the weight restriction imposed by this Code, may be
2 operated on a public highway in this State provided that
3 neither the disabled vehicle nor any vehicle being towed nor
4 the tow truck itself shall exceed the weight limitations
5 permitted under this Chapter. During the towing operation,
6 neither the tow truck nor the vehicle combination shall exceed
7 24,000 pounds on a single rear axle and 44,000 pounds on a
8 tandem rear axle, provided the towing vehicle:
9         (1) is specifically designed as a tow truck having a
10     gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds and
11     is equipped with air brakes, provided that air brakes are
12     required only if the towing vehicle is towing a vehicle,
13     semitrailer, or tractor-trailer combination that is
14     equipped with air brakes;
15         (2) is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
16     oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet in
17     all directions;
18         (3) is capable of utilizing the lighting and braking
19     systems of the disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles;
20     and
21         (4) does not engage in a tow exceeding 20 miles from
22     the initial point of wreck or disablement. Any additional
23     movement of the vehicles may occur only upon issuance of
24     authorization for that movement under the provisions of
25     Sections 15-301 through 15-319 of this Code. The towing
26     vehicle, however, may tow any disabled vehicle from the
27     initial point of wreck or disablement to a point where
28     repairs are actually to occur. This movement shall be valid
29     only on State routes. The tower must abide by posted bridge
30     weight limits.
31     Gross weight limits shall not apply to the combination of
32 the tow truck and vehicles being towed. The tow truck license
33 plate must cover the operating empty weight of the tow truck
34 only. The weight of each vehicle being towed shall be covered
35 by a valid license plate issued to the owner or operator of the
36 vehicle being towed and displayed on that vehicle. If no valid

 

 

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1 plate issued to the owner or operator of that vehicle is
2 displayed on that vehicle, or the plate displayed on that
3 vehicle does not cover the weight of the vehicle, the weight of
4 the vehicle shall be covered by the third tow truck plate
5 issued to the owner or operator of the tow truck and
6 temporarily affixed to the vehicle being towed.
7     The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
8 additional requirements. However, nothing in this Code shall
9 prohibit a tow truck under instructions of a police officer
10 from legally clearing a disabled vehicle, that may be in
11 violation of weight limitations of this Chapter, from the
12 roadway to the berm or shoulder of the highway. If in the
13 opinion of the police officer that location is unsafe, the
14 officer is authorized to have the disabled vehicle towed to the
15 nearest place of safety.
16     For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
17 rating, or GVWR, shall mean the value specified by the
18 manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
19     (e) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
20 pneumatic tires shall be operated, unladen or with load, upon
21 the highways of this State in violation of the provisions of
22 any permit issued under the provisions of Sections 15-301
23 through 15-319 of this Chapter.
24     (f) On designated Class I, II, or III highways and the
25 National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, no vehicle
26 or combination of vehicles with pneumatic tires may be
27 operated, unladen or with load, when the total weight on the
28 road surface exceeds the following: 20,000 pounds on a single
29 axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle within the
30 tandem exceeding 20,000 pounds; 80,000 pounds gross weight for
31 vehicle combinations of 5 or more axles; or a total weight on a
32 group of 2 or more consecutive axles in excess of that weight
33 produced by the application of the following formula: W = 500
34 times the sum of (LN divided by N-1) + 12N + 36, where "W"
35 equals overall total weight on any group of 2 or more
36 consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds, "L" equals the

 

 

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1 distance measured to the nearest foot between extremes of any
2 group of 2 or more consecutive axles, and "N" equals the number
3 of axles in the group under consideration.
4     The above formula when expressed in tabular form results in
5 allowable loads as follows:
 
6 Distance measured
7 to the nearest
8 foot between the
9 extremes of any         Maximum weight in pounds
10 group of 2 or           of any group of
11 more consecutive        2 or more consecutive axles
12 axles
13feet2 axles3 axles4 axles5 axles6 axles
14434,000
15534,000
16634,000
17734,000
18838,000*42,000
19939,00042,500
201040,00043,500
211144,000
221245,00050,000
231345,50050,500
241446,50051,500
251547,00052,000
261648,00052,50058,000
271748,50053,50058,500
281849,50054,00059,000
291950,00054,50060,000
302051,00055,50060,50066,000
312151,50056,00061,00066,500
322252,50056,50061,50067,000
332353,00057,50062,50068,000
342454,00058,00063,00068,500
352554,50058,50063,50069,000
362655,50059,50064,00069,500
372756,00060,00065,00070,000
382857,00060,50065,50071,000
392957,50061,50066,00071,500
403058,50062,00066,50072,000
413159,00062,50067,50072,500
423260,00063,50068,00073,000
433364,00068,50074,000
443464,50069,00074,500
453565,50070,00075,000
463666,00070,50075,500
473766,50071,00076,000
483867,50072,00077,000
493968,00072,50077,500
504068,50073,00078,000
514169,50073,50078,500
524270,00074,00079,000
534370,50075,00080,000
544471,50075,500
554572,00076,000
564672,50076,500
574773,50077,500
584874,00078,000
594974,50078,500
605075,50079,000
615176,00080,000
625276,500
635377,500
645478,000
655578,500
665679,500
675780,000
33 *If the distance between 2 axles is 96 inches or less, the 2
34 axles are tandem axles and the maximum total weight may not
35 exceed 34,000 pounds, notwithstanding the higher limit
36 resulting from the application of the formula.

 

 

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1     Vehicles not in a combination having more than 4 axles may
2 not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (f) for 4
3 axles measured between the extreme axles of the vehicle.
4     Vehicles in a combination having more than 6 axles may not
5 exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (f) for 6
6 axles measured between the extreme axles of the combination.
7     Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
8 under their jurisdiction, without additional fees, may also by
9 ordinance or resolution allow the weight limitations of this
10 subsection, provided the maximum gross weight on any one axle
11 shall not exceed 20,000 pounds and the maximum total weight on
12 any tandem axle shall not exceed 34,000 pounds, on designated
13 highways when appropriate regulatory signs giving notice are
14 erected upon the street or highway or portion of any street or
15 highway affected by the ordinance or resolution.
16     The following are exceptions to the above formula:
17         (1) Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a
18     total weight of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance
19     between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of
20     tandem axles is 36 feet or more.
21         (2) Vehicles for which a different limit is established
22     and posted in accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code.
23         (3) Vehicles for which the Department of
24     Transportation and local authorities issue overweight
25     permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code.
26     These vehicles are not subject to the bridge formula.
27         (4) Tow trucks subject to the conditions provided in
28     subsection (d) may not exceed 24,000 pounds on a single
29     rear axle or 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle.
30         (5) A tandem axle on a 3-axle truck registered as a
31     Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in the
32     model year of 2014, and registered in Illinois prior to
33     January 1, 2015, with a distance between 2 axles in a
34     series greater than 72 inches but not more than 96 inches
35     may not exceed a total weight of 36,000 pounds and neither
36     axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds.

 

 

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1         (6) A truck not in combination, equipped with a self
2     compactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and roll-off
3     container, used exclusively for garbage, or refuse, or
4     recycling operations, may, when laden, transmit upon the
5     road surface, except when on part of the National System of
6     Interstate and Defense Highways, the following maximum
7     weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
8     tandem axle; 36,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle
9     vehicle; 54,000 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle.
10     This vehicle is not subject to the bridge formula.
11         (7) Combinations of vehicles, registered as Special
12     Hauling Vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured
13     prior to or in the model year of 2014, and registered in
14     Illinois prior to January 1, 2015, having 5 axles with a
15     distance of 42 feet or less between extreme axles, may not
16     exceed the following maximum weights: 18,000 pounds on a
17     single axle; 32,000 pounds on a tandem axle; and 72,000
18     pounds gross weight. This combination of vehicles is not
19     subject to the bridge formula. For all those combinations
20     of vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured after
21     the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd
22     General Assembly, the overall distance between the first
23     and last axles of the 2 sets of tandems must be 18 feet 6
24     inches or more. Any combination of vehicles that has had
25     its cargo container replaced in its entirety after December
26     31, 2014 may not exceed the weights allowed by the bridge
27     formula.
28     No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with other
29 than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with load,
30 upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on the
31 road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
32 width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
33 surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
34     (f-1) A vehicle and load not exceeding 73,280 pounds is
35 allowed access as follows:
36         (1) From any State designated highway onto any county,

 

 

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1     township, or municipal highway for a distance of 5 highway
2     miles for the purpose of loading and unloading, provided:
3             (A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 8 feet 6
4         inches in width and 65 feet overall length.
5             (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
6             (C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare
7         between State designated highways.
8         (2) From any State designated highway onto any county
9     or township highway for a distance of 5 highway miles, or
10     any municipal highway for a distance of one highway mile
11     for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs, and rest, provided:
12             (A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 8 feet 6
13         inches in width and 65 feet overall length.
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     (f-2) A vehicle and load greater than 73,280 pounds in
18 weight but not exceeding 80,000 pounds is allowed access as
19 follows:
20         (1) From a Class I highway onto any street or highway
21     for a distance of one highway mile for the purpose of
22     loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest,
23     provided there is no sign prohibiting that access.
24         (2) From a Class I, II, or III highway onto any State
25     highway or any local designated highway for a distance of 5
26     highway miles for the purpose of loading, unloading, food,
27     fuel, repairs, and rest.
28     Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
29 relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
30 designation of highways under this subsection.
31     (g) No person shall operate a vehicle or combination of
32 vehicles over a bridge or other elevated structure constituting
33 part of a highway with a gross weight that is greater than the
34 maximum weight permitted by the Department, when the structure
35 is sign posted as provided in this Section.
36     (h) The Department upon request from any local authority

 

 

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1 shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation
2 of any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part
3 of a highway, and if it finds that the structure cannot with
4 safety to itself withstand the weight of vehicles otherwise
5 permissible under this Code the Department shall determine and
6 declare the maximum weight of vehicles that the structures can
7 withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating
8 maximum weight to be erected and maintained before each end of
9 the structure. No person shall operate a vehicle or combination
10 of vehicles over any structure with a gross weight that is
11 greater than the posted maximum weight.
12     (i) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation
13 of subsections (g) or (h) of this Section, proof of the
14 determination of the maximum allowable weight by the Department
15 and the existence of the signs, constitutes conclusive evidence
16 of the maximum weight that can be maintained with safety to the
17 bridge or structure.
18 (Source: P.A. 92-417, eff. 1-1-02; 93-177, eff. 7-11-03;
19 93-186, eff. 1-1-04; 93-1023, eff. 8-25-04.)