Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB5819
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Full Text of HB5819  96th General Assembly

HB5819enr 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

  
  
  

 


 
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1     AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
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 15-107 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
9 of 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
14 to 45 feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.
15 The length limitations described in this subsection (a-1) shall
16 be exclusive of energy-absorbing bumpers and rear view mirrors.
17     (b) On all non-State highways, the maximum length of
18 vehicles in combinations is as follows:
19         (1) A truck tractor in combination with a semitrailer
20     may not exceed 55 feet overall dimension.
21         (2) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer may not exceed
22     60 feet overall dimension.
23         (3) Combinations specially designed to transport motor

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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1 limitations.
2     The length limitations described in this paragraph (d)
3 shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices,
4 such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and
5 other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary
6 for safe and efficient operation; except that no device
7 excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use
8 the capability to carry cargo.
9     Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
10 relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
11 designation of highways under this paragraph (d).
12     (e) On Class II highways there are no overall length
13 limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations,
14 provided:
15         (1) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with load,
16     in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 53 feet
17     overall dimension.
18         (2) The distance between the kingpin and the center of
19     the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in
20     combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet 6
21     inches.
22         (3) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination
23     may not exceed 65 feet in dimension from front axle to rear
24     axle.
25         (4) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or
26     with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer

 

 

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1     combination, may not exceed 28 feet 6 inches.
2         (5) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter 1,
3     may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
4         (6) A combination of vehicles, specifically designed
5     to transport motor vehicles or boats, may not exceed 65
6     feet overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive
7     of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of
8     the transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of
9     this Section.
10         (7) Stinger steered semitrailer vehicles, as defined
11     in Chapter 1, specifically designed to transport motor
12     vehicles or boats, may not exceed 75 feet overall
13     dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of front and
14     rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the
15     transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of this
16     Section.
17         (8) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks coupled
18     together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed 75
19     feet overall dimension.
20     Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting
21 poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural
22 nature that cannot readily be dismembered are exempt from
23 length limitations, provided that no object may exceed 80 feet
24 in length and the overall dimension of the vehicle including
25 the load may not exceed 100 feet. This exemption does not apply
26 to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Legal

 

 

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1 holidays referred to in this Section are the days on which the
2 following traditional holidays are celebrated: New Year's Day;
3 Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day;
4 and Christmas Day.
5     Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
6 route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities or
7 properties are exempt from length limitations, provided that
8 during night operations every vehicle and its load must be
9 equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both
10 sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any projecting
11 load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
12     A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
13 combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6)
14 of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
15 limitations.
16     Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
17 under their jurisdiction, may also by ordinance or resolution
18 allow length limitations of this subsection (e).
19     The length limitations described in this paragraph (e)
20 shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices,
21 such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and
22 other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary
23 for safe and efficient operation; except that no device
24 excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use
25 the capability to carry cargo.
26     Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act

 

 

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

 

 

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1         (1) From a Class I highway onto any street or highway
2     for a distance of one highway mile for the purpose of
3     loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest,
4     provided there is no sign prohibiting that access.
5         (2) From a Class I or Class II highway onto any State
6     highway or any locally designated highway for a distance of
7     5 highway miles for the purpose of loading, unloading,
8     food, fuel, repairs, and rest.
9     (e-3) Combinations of vehicles over 65 feet in length
10 operated by household goods carriers, with no overall length
11 limitations except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of
12 this Section, have unlimited access to points of loading and
13 unloading.
14     (f) On Class III and other non-designated State highways,
15 the length limitations for vehicles in combination are as
16 follows:
17         (1) Truck tractor-semitrailer combinations, must
18     comply with either a maximum 55 feet overall wheel base or
19     a maximum 65 feet extreme overall dimension.
20         (2) Semitrailers, unladen or with load, may not exceed
21     53 feet overall dimension.
22         (3) No truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination
23     may exceed 60 feet extreme overall dimension.
24         (4) The distance between the kingpin and the center
25     axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination
26     with a truck tractor, may not exceed 42 feet 6 inches.

 

 

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1     (g) Length limitations in the preceding subsections of this
2 Section 15-107 do not apply to the following:
3         (1) Vehicles operated in the daytime, except on
4     Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, when transporting
5     poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural
6     nature that cannot readily be dismembered, provided the
7     overall length of vehicle and load may not exceed 100 feet
8     and no object exceeding 80 feet in length may be
9     transported unless a permit has been obtained as authorized
10     in Section 15-301.
11         (2) Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility
12     while en route to make emergency repairs to public service
13     facilities or properties, but during night operation every
14     vehicle and its load must be equipped with a sufficient
15     number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps
16     upon the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly
17     mark the dimensions of the load.
18         (3) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle
19     or combination of disabled vehicles, provided the towing
20     vehicle meets the following conditions:
21             (A) It is specifically designed as a tow truck
22         having a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000
23         pounds and equipped with air brakes, provided that air
24         brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is
25         towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer
26         combination that is equipped with air brakes.

 

 

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

 

 

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1     (h) The load upon any vehicle operated alone, or the load
2 upon the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles, shall not
3 extend more than 3 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle
4 or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a
5 front bumper. The provisions of this subsection (h) shall not
6 apply to any vehicle or combination of vehicles specifically
7 designed for the collection and transportation of waste,
8 garbage, or recyclable materials during the vehicle's
9 operation in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or
10 recyclable materials if the vehicle is traveling at a speed not
11 in excess of 15 miles per hour during the vehicle's operation
12 and in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or recyclable
13 materials. However, in no instance shall the load extend more
14 than 7 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle or the front
15 bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a front bumper.
16     (i) The load upon the front vehicle of a combination of
17 vehicles specifically designed to transport motor vehicles
18 shall not extend more than 3 feet beyond the foremost part of
19 the transporting vehicle and the load upon the rear
20 transporting vehicle shall not extend more than 4 feet beyond
21 the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle. This paragraph
22 shall only be applicable upon highways designated in paragraphs
23 (d) and (e) of this Section.
24     (j) Articulated vehicles comprised of 2 sections, neither
25 of which exceeds a length of 42 feet, designed for the carrying
26 of more than 10 persons, may be up to 60 feet in length, not

 

 

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1 including energy absorbing bumpers, provided that the vehicles
2 are:
3         1. operated by or for any public body or motor carrier
4     authorized by law to provide public transportation
5     services; or
6         2. operated in local public transportation service by
7     any other person and the municipality in which the service
8     is to be provided approved the operation of the vehicle.
9     (j-1) (Blank).
10     (k) Any person who is convicted of violating this Section
11 is subject to the penalty as provided in paragraph (b) of
12 Section 15-113.
13     (l) (Blank).
14 (Source: P.A. 96-34, eff. 1-1-10; 96-37, eff. 7-13-09.)
 
15     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
16 becoming law.