State of Illinois
92nd General Assembly
Legislation

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92_SB0324

 
                                               LRB9204275DHmb

 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
 5    changing Sections 15-107 and 15-111 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)  Unless  otherwise  provided  for  in  this  Code, no
 9    single  vehicle,  with  or  without  load,   other   than   a
10    semitrailer  that  is  not  a  housetrailer,  shall exceed an
11    overall length of 42 feet.
12        (b)  Subject to  the  provisions  of  paragraph  (f)  and
13    unless  otherwise provided in this Code, no truck tractor and
14    semitrailer, unladen or with load, except a semitrailer other
15    than a house trailer,  shall  exceed  a  length  of  55  feet
16    extreme  overall  dimension, except that the combination when
17    specially designed to transport motor  vehicles  may  have  a
18    length of 60 feet extreme overall dimension, subject to those
19    exceptions  and  special rules otherwise stated in this Code.
20    No other combination of vehicles, unladen or with load, shall
21    exceed a length of 60 feet extreme overall dimension.
22        (c)  A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one trailer, or
23    a converter dolly,  or  a  vehicle  that  is  special  mobile
24    equipment  if  the extreme length of the combination does not
25    exceed 60 feet, and a truck in transit may draw 3  trucks  in
26    transit  coupled  together  by the triple saddlemount method.
27    Except  as  otherwise  provided,  no  other  combinations  of
28    vehicles coupled  together  shall  consist  of  more  than  2
29    vehicles.  For  the  purposes  of this paragraph, a tow-dolly
30    that merely serves as substitute wheels for  another  legally
31    licensed  vehicle  will be considered part of the vehicle and
 
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 1    not as a separate vehicle.
 2        Vehicles   in   combination,   whether   being   operated
 3    intrastate or interstate, shall  be  operated  and  towed  in
 4    compliance   with   all   requirements   of  Federal  Highway
 5    Administration, Title 49, C.  F.  R.,  Motor  Carrier  Safety
 6    Regulations,   pertaining  to  coupling  devices  and  towing
 7    methods and all other equipment safety requirements set forth
 8    in the regulations.
 9        (d)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of  this  Code,
10    there  is  no  overall  length  limitation  on motor vehicles
11    operating   in    truck    tractor-semitrailer    or    truck
12    tractor-semitrailer-trailer    combinations,    except   that
13    maxi-cube combinations as defined  in  this  Section,  and  a
14    combination  of  vehicles  specifically designed to transport
15    motor vehicles or boats, shall not  exceed  65  feet  overall
16    length,  and  provided  that a stinger steered combination of
17    vehicles specifically designed to transport motor vehicles or
18    boats and a truck in transit transporting  3  trucks  coupled
19    together by the triple saddlemount method shall not exceed 75
20    feet overall length, with the length limitations inclusive of
21    front  and  rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the
22    transported vehicles as provided for in paragraph (i) of this
23    Section, upon the National System of Interstate  and  Defense
24    Highways  or  any  other  highways  in  the  system  of State
25    highways that have been designated Class I  highways  by  the
26    Department  or  any  street  or  highway  designated by local
27    authorities or road district commissioners; provided that the
28    length  of  the  semitrailer  unit,  unladen  or  with  load,
29    operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer combination shall not
30    exceed 53 feet and the distance between the kingpin  and  the
31    center  of the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet
32    shall not exceed 45 feet, 6 inches;  and  provided  that  the
33    length  of  any semitrailer or trailer, unladen or with load,
34    operated in a truck  tractor-semitrailer-trailer  combination
 
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 1    shall not exceed 28 feet 6 inches.
 2        The  length  limitations  described in this paragraph (d)
 3    shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices,
 4    such as rear view mirrors, turn signals, marker lamps,  steps
 5    and   handholds   for   entry  and  egress,  flexible  fender
 6    extensions,  bumpers,   mudflaps   and   splash   and   spray
 7    suppressant  devices,  load-induced tire bulge, refrigeration
 8    units  or  air  compressors  and  other  devices,  that   the
 9    Department  may interpret as necessary for safe and efficient
10    operation;  except  that  no  device  excluded   under   this
11    paragraph  shall  have by its design or use the capability to
12    carry cargo.
13        Vehicles operating under this paragraph  (d)  shall  have
14    access  for a distance of one highway mile to or from a Class
15    I highway on any street or highway, unless there  is  a  sign
16    prohibiting  the  access,  or  5 highway miles on a street or
17    highway in the system of State highways, and upon any  street
18    or  highway  designated,  without  additional  fees, by local
19    authorities or road  district  commissioners,  to  points  of
20    loading  and unloading and facilities for food, fuel, repairs
21    and rest. Household  goods  carriers  shall  have  access  to
22    points of loading and unloading.
23        Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
24    relating  to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
25    designation of highways under this paragraph (d).
26        (e)  In addition to the  designation  of  highways  under
27    paragraph  (d)  the Department may designate other streets or
28    highways  in  the  system  of  State  highways  as  Class  II
29    highways.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code,
30    effective June 1, 1996 there is no overall length  limitation
31    on  motor  vehicles  operating  in  truck tractor-semitrailer
32    combinations operating upon  designated  Class  II  highways,
33    provided  the length of the semitrailer unit, unladen or with
34    load, operated in  a  truck  tractor-semitrailer  combination
 
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 1    shall not exceed 53 feet and the distance between the kingpin
 2    and  the center of the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than
 3    48 feet  shall  not  exceed  45  feet,  6  inches.   A  truck
 4    tractor-semitrailer-trailer   combination   may  be  operated
 5    provided that the wheelbase between the front axle  and  rear
 6    axle  shall  not  exceed  65   feet  and  the  length  of any
 7    semitrailer  or  trailer,  unladen  or  with   load,   in   a
 8    combination   shall  not  exceed  28  feet  6  inches.  Local
 9    authorities and road district commissioners with  respect  to
10    streets  and  highways  under their jurisdiction, may also by
11    ordinance or resolution allow the length limitations of  this
12    paragraph (e).
13        A  maxi-cube combination, a truck in transit transporting
14    3 trucks coupled together by the triple  saddlemount  method,
15    and  a  combination  of  vehicles  specifically  designed  to
16    transport   motor  vehicles  or  boats  may  operate  on  the
17    designated streets or highways provided  the  overall  length
18    shall not exceed 65 feet, and provided that a stinger steered
19    combination  of  vehicles  specifically designed to transport
20    motor vehicles or boats shall  not  exceed  75  feet  overall
21    length,  with  the  length limitations inclusive of front and
22    rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of the transported
23    vehicles as provided for in paragraph (i) of this Section.
24        The length limitations described in  this  paragraph  (e)
25    shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices,
26    such  as rear view mirrors, turn signals, marker lamps, steps
27    and  handholds  for  entry  and   egress,   flexible   fender
28    extensions,   bumpers,   mudflaps   and   splash   and  spray
29    suppressant devices, load-induced tire  bulge,  refrigeration
30    units   or  air  compressors  and  other  devices,  that  the
31    Department may interpret as necessary for safe and  efficient
32    operation;   except   that  no  device  excluded  under  this
33    paragraph shall have by its design or use the  capability  to
34    carry cargo.
 
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 1        Vehicles  operating  under  this paragraph (e) shall have
 2    access for a distance of 5  highway  miles  on  a  street  or
 3    highway  in the system of State highways, and upon any street
 4    or highway designated by local authorities or  road  district
 5    commissioners,  to  points  of  loading  and unloading and to
 6    facilities for food, fuel, repairs and rest. Household  goods
 7    carriers   shall   have  access  to  points  of  loading  and
 8    unloading.
 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 (e).
12        (f)  On  any  street  or  highway  in the system of State
13    highways that has not been designated by the Department under
14    paragraph (d) or (e), the wheelbase between  the  front  axle
15    and  the rear axle in a truck tractor-semitrailer combination
16    shall not exceed 55 feet or, effective June 1, 1996, no truck
17    tractor and semitrailer,  unladen  or  with  load,  except  a
18    semitrailer other than a house trailer, shall exceed a length
19    of  65 feet between extreme overall dimensions, the length of
20    the semitrailer, unladen or with load, shall  not  exceed  53
21    feet  and  the distance between the kingpin and the center of
22    the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet shall  not
23    exceed  42  feet,  6  inches. On any street or highway in the
24    State system of highways that has not been designated by  the
25    Department   under   paragraph   (d)   or   (e),   no   truck
26    tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination shall exceed a length
27    of 60 feet extreme overall dimension.
28        (g)  Length  limitations  in the preceding subsections of
29    this Section 15-107 shall not apply to vehicles  operated  in
30    the  daytime, except on Saturdays, Sundays or legal holidays,
31    when transporting poles, pipe, machinery or other objects  of
32    a  structural  nature that cannot readily be dismembered, nor
33    to vehicles transporting those objects operated on Saturdays,
34    Sundays or legal holidays or at nighttime by a public utility
 
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 1    when  required  for  emergency  repair  of   public   service
 2    facilities  or  properties,  but  in  respect  to  the  night
 3    operation  every  vehicle  and  the  load  thereon  shall  be
 4    equipped  with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both
 5    sides  and  marker  lamps  upon  the  extreme  ends  of   any
 6    projecting  load  to clearly mark the dimensions of the load,
 7    provided that the overall length of vehicle  and  load  shall
 8    not exceed 100 feet and no object exceeding 80 feet in length
 9    shall  be  transported,  except  by  a  public  utility  when
10    required  for  emergency  repairs,  unless a permit has first
11    been obtained as authorized in Section 15-301. A  combination
12    of  vehicles, including a tow truck and a disabled vehicle or
13    disabled combination of vehicles,  that  exceeds  the  length
14    restriction imposed by this Code, may be operated on a public
15    highway in this State upon the following conditions:
16             (1)  The towing vehicle must be:
17                  a.  specifically designed as a tow truck having
18             a  gross  vehicle  weight  rating of at least 18,000
19             lbs. and equipped with air brakes;
20                  b.  equipped   with   flashing,   rotating   or
21             oscillating amber lights, visible for  a  least  500
22             feet in all directions; and
23                  c.  capable   of  utilizing  the  lighting  and
24             braking  systems  of   the   disabled   vehicle   or
25             combination of vehicles.
26             (2)  The  towing of vehicles on the highways of this
27        State shall not exceed 50 miles from the initial point of
28        wreck or disablement.  Any  additional  movement  of  the
29        vehicles  shall only occur upon issuance of authorization
30        for that movement under the provisions of Section  15-301
31        through 15-319 of this Chapter.
32        The  Department  may  by  rule  or  regulation  prescribe
33    additional  requirements  regarding  length limitations for a
34    tow truck towing another vehicle. Notwithstanding any rule or
 
                            -7-                LRB9204275DHmb
 1    regulation or any other provision of this  Code,  however,  a
 2    towing  vehicle  that  meets the requirements of subparagraph
 3    (1) of this paragraph (g) may tow  any  disabled  vehicle  or
 4    combination  of  vehicles  from the initial point of wreck or
 5    disablement to a point where repairs are actually to occur.
 6        For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle  weight
 7    rating,  or  GVWR,  shall  mean  the  value  specified by the
 8    manufacturer as the loaded weight of  the  tow  truck.  Legal
 9    holidays  referred  to  in this Section shall be specified as
10    the day on  which  the  following  traditional  holidays  are
11    celebrated:
12        New Year's Day;
13        Memorial Day;
14        Independence Day;
15        Labor Day;
16        Thanksgiving Day; and
17        Christmas Day.
18        (h)  The  load  upon  any  vehicle operated alone, or the
19    load upon the front vehicle of  a  combination  of  vehicles,
20    shall  not extend more than 3 feet beyond the front wheels of
21    the vehicle or the front bumper  of  the  vehicle  if  it  is
22    equipped   with  a  front  bumper.  The  provisions  of  this
23    subsection (h) shall not apply to any vehicle or  combination
24    of  vehicles  specifically  designed  for  the collection and
25    transportation of waste,  garbage,  or  recyclable  materials
26    during  the  vehicle's  operation in the course of collecting
27    garbage, waste, or recyclable materials  if  the  vehicle  is
28    traveling  at  a  speed  not  in  excess of 15 miles per hour
29    during  the  vehicle's  operation  and  in  the   course   of
30    collecting garbage, waste, or recyclable materials.  However,
31    in  no instance shall the load extend more than 7 feet beyond
32    the front wheels of the vehicle or the front  bumper  of  the
33    vehicle if it is equipped with a front bumper.
34        (i)  The  load upon the front vehicle of a combination of
 
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 1    vehicles specifically designed to  transport  motor  vehicles
 2    shall not extend more than 3 feet beyond the foremost part of
 3    the   transporting   vehicle  and  the  load  upon  the  rear
 4    transporting vehicle shall not extend more than 4 feet beyond
 5    the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle.   This  paragraph
 6    shall   only   be  applicable  upon  highways  designated  in
 7    paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section.
 8        (j)  Articulated  vehicles  comprised  of   2   sections,
 9    neither  of  which  exceeds a length of 42 feet, designed for
10    the carrying of more than 10 persons, may be up to 60 feet in
11    length, not including energy absorbing bumpers, provided that
12    the vehicles are:
13             1.  operated by or for  any  public  body  or  motor
14        carrier    authorized    by   law   to   provide   public
15        transportation services; or
16             2.  operated in local public transportation  service
17        by  any  other  person  and the municipality in which the
18        service is to be provided approved the operation  of  the
19        vehicle.
20        (j-1)  Charter  or  regulated route buses may be up to 45
21    feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.
22        (k)  Any  person  who  is  convicted  of  violating  this
23    Section is subject to the penalty as  provided  in  paragraph
24    (b) of Section 15-113.
25        (l)  A  combination  of  3 vehicles not to exceed 60 feet
26    overall length may be operated on the highways of the  State,
27    provided that the vehicles meet the following requirements:
28             (1)  The  towing  vehicle  is  a properly registered
29        vehicle  capable  of  towing  another  vehicle  using   a
30        fifth-wheel type assembly.
31             (2)  The   second  vehicle  in  the  combination  of
32        vehicles shall be a recreational vehicle that is towed by
33        a fifth-wheel assembly. This vehicle  shall  be  properly
34        registered  and  be  equipped  with  brakes regardless of
 
                            -9-                LRB9204275DHmb
 1        weight.
 2             (3)  The third vehicle shall be the lightest of  the
 3        3  vehicles  and be a trailer or semi-trailer designed or
 4        used  for  transporting  a  boat,  all-terrain   vehicle,
 5        personal watercraft, or motorcycle.
 6             (4)  The  towed  vehicles may only be for the use of
 7        the operator of the towing vehicle.
 8             (5)  All vehicles shall be  properly  equipped  with
 9        operating  brakes  and  safety equipment required by this
10        Code,  except  the  additional   brake   requirement   in
11        paragraph (2) above.
12    (Source: P.A.  89-219,  eff.  1-1-96;  89-434,  eff.  6-1-96;
13    89-626,   eff.  8-9-96;  90-89,  eff.  1-1-98;  90-147,  eff.
14    7-23-97; 90-407, eff. 8-15-97; 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)

15        (625 ILCS 5/15-111) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-111)
16        Sec. 15-111.  Wheel and axle loads and gross weights.
17        (a)  No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped  with
18    pneumatic tires shall be operated, unladen or with load, upon
19    the  highways of this State when the gross weight on the road
20    surface  through  any  single  axle  thereof  exceeds  18,000
21    pounds, except when a  different  limit  is  established  and
22    posted  in  accordance  with  Section  15-316  and except any
23    single axle of a 2 axle motor vehicle weighing 36,000  pounds
24    or  less  and  not a part of a combination of vehicles, shall
25    not exceed 20,000 pounds. Provided, however, that any  single
26    axle of a 2 axle motor vehicle equipped with a personnel lift
27    or  digger derrick, weighing 36,000 pounds or less, owned and
28    operated by a public utility, shall not exceed 20,000 pounds.
29    No vehicle or combination of  vehicles  equipped  with  other
30    than pneumatic tires shall be operated, unladen or with load,
31    upon  the highways of this State when the gross weight on the
32    road surface through any wheel thereof exceeds 800 pounds per
33    inch width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
 
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 1    surface through any axle thereof exceeds 16,000 pounds.   The
 2    gross  weight  transmitted to the road surface through tandem
 3    axles shall not exceed 32,000  pounds  and  no  axle  of  the
 4    series  shall  exceed the maximum weight permitted under this
 5    Section for a single axle. Provided that on a 4 axle  vehicle
 6    or  on a 5 or more axle combination of vehicles the weight on
 7    a series of 3 axles whose centers are  more  than  96  inches
 8    apart,  measured  between  extreme axles in the series, shall
 9    not exceed those allowed on 3 axles in the table contained in
10    subsection (f) of this Section and no axle or tandem axle  of
11    the  series  shall  exceed the maximum weight permitted under
12    this Section for a single or tandem axle. Provided also  that
13    a  3  axle  vehicle  or  3  axle  truck mixer registered as a
14    Special Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the mixing  and
15    transportation  of  concrete,  specially equipped with a road
16    surface engaging  mixer   trailing   4th  axle,  manufactured
17    prior to or in the model year of 2004 and first registered in
18    Illinois  prior  to  January 1, 2005, with a distance greater
19    than 72 inches but not more than 96 inches between any series
20    of 2 axles may transmit to the road surface a maximum  weight
21    of  18,000  pounds on each of these axles with a gross weight
22    on these 2 axles not  to  exceed  36,000  pounds.   Any  such
23    vehicle  manufactured in the model year of 2004 or thereafter
24    or first registered in Illinois after December 31,  2004  may
25    transmit  to  the  road  surface  a  maximum of 32,000 pounds
26    through these 2 axles and none  of  the  axles  shall  exceed
27    18,000 pounds.
28        A truck, not in combination and specially equipped with a
29    selfcompactor,  or  an industrial roll-off hoist and roll-off
30    container, used exclusively for garbage or refuse operations,
31    and a truck used exclusively for the collection of  rendering
32    materials  may,  however,  when laden, transmit upon the road
33    surface of any highway  except  when  part  of  the  National
34    System  of  Interstate  and  Defense Highways, a gross weight
 
                            -11-               LRB9204275DHmb
 1    upon a single axle not more than 22,000 pounds,  and  upon  a
 2    tandem  axle  not  more  than  40,000  pounds.  When unladen,
 3    however, those trucks shall comply with the axle  limitations
 4    applicable to all other trucks.
 5        A  2  axle  truck specially equipped with a front loading
 6    compactor used exclusively for garbage, refuse, or  recycling
 7    may  transmit  20,000 pounds per axle provided that the gross
 8    weight of the vehicle does not exceed 40,000 pounds.
 9        (b)  The gross weight  of  vehicles  and  combination  of
10    vehicles  including  the weight of the vehicle or combination
11    and its maximum  load  shall  be  subject  to  the  foregoing
12    limitations  and further shall not exceed the following gross
13    weights dependent upon  the  number  of  axles  and  distance
14    between  extreme axles of the vehicle or combination measured
15    longitudinally to the nearest foot.

16    VEHICLES HAVING 2 AXLES ....................... 36,000 pounds

17                      VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS
18                           HAVING 3 AXLES
19    With Tandem                     With or
20       Axles                        Without
21                                    Tandem Axles
22    Minimum                         Minimum
23    distance to        Maximum      distance to         Maximum
24    nearest foot       Gross        nearest foot        Gross
25    between            Weight       between             Weight
26    extreme axles      (pounds)     extreme axles       (pounds)
27    10 feet            41,000       16 feet             46,000
28    11                 42,000       17                  47,000
29    12                 43,000       18                  47,500
30    13                 44,000       19                  48,000
31    14                 44,500       20                  49,000
32    15                 45,000       21 feet or more     50,000
33                      VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS
 
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 1                           HAVING 4 AXLES
 2    Minimum                         Minimum
 3    distance to        Maximum      distance to         Maximum
 4    nearest foot       Gross        nearest foot        Gross
 5    between            Weight       between             Weight
 6    extreme axles      (pounds)     extreme axles       (pounds)
 7    15 feet            50,000       26 feet             57,500
 8    16                 50,500       27                  58,000
 9    17                 51,500       28                  58,500
10    18                 52,000       29                  59,500
11    19                 52,500       30                  60,000
12    20                 53,500       31                  60,500
13    21                 54,000       32                  61,500
14    22                 54,500       33                  62,000
15    23                 55,500       34                  62,500
16    24                 56,000       35                  63,500
17    25                 56,500       36 feet or more     64,000
18        In applying the above table to a vehicle having more than
19    4 axles that is not in combination, only  4  axles  shall  be
20    considered in determining the maximum gross weights.
21                 COMBINATIONS HAVING 5 OR MORE AXLES
22    Minimum distance to           Maximum
23    nearest foot between          Gross Weight
24    extreme axles                 (pounds)
25    42 feet or less               72,000
26    43                            73,000
27    44 feet or more               73,280

28    VEHICLES OPERATING ON CRAWLER TYPE TRACKS ..... 40,000 pounds

29                 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SELFCOMPACTORS
30       OR ROLL-OFF HOISTS AND ROLL-OFF CONTAINERS FOR GARBAGE
31              OR REFUSE HAULS ONLY AND TRUCKS USED FOR
32                THE COLLECTION OF RENDERING MATERIALS
33               On Highway Not Part of National System
 
                            -13-               LRB9204275DHmb
 1                 of Interstate and Defense Highways
 2    with 2 axles                                    36,000 pounds
 3    with 3 axles                                    54,000 pounds

 4                    TWO AXLE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH
 5             A FRONT LOADING COMPACTOR USED EXCLUSIVELY
 6         FOR THE COLLECTION OF GARBAGE, REFUSE, OR RECYCLING
 7    with 2 axles                                    40,000 pounds

 8        (c)  Cities  having  a population of more than 50,000 may
 9    permit by ordinance axle loads on 2 axle  motor  vehicles  33
10    1/2%  above those provided for herein, but the increase shall
11    not become effective until the city has  officially  notified
12    the  Department of the passage of the ordinance and shall not
13    apply to those vehicles when outside of  the  limits  of  the
14    city,  nor shall the gross weight of any 2 axle motor vehicle
15    operating over any street of the city exceed 40,000 pounds.
16        (d)  Weight  limitations  shall  not  apply  to  vehicles
17    (including  loads)  operated  by  a   public   utility   when
18    transporting  equipment  required  for  emergency  repair  of
19    public utility facilities or properties or water wells.
20        A  combination  of  vehicles, including a tow truck and a
21    disabled vehicle or disabled combination  of  vehicles,  that
22    exceeds  the  weight restriction imposed by this Code, may be
23    operated on a public highway  in  this  State  provided  that
24    neither  the disabled vehicle nor any vehicle being towed nor
25    the tow truck itself  shall  exceed  the  weight  limitations
26    permitted  under  this  Chapter. During the towing operation,
27    neither the tow  truck  nor  the  vehicle  combination  shall
28    exceed the following axle weight limitations:
29             A.  24,000 pounds - Single rear axle;
30             B.  44,000 pounds - Tandem rear axle;
31        Gross weight limits shall not apply to the combination of
32    the  tow  truck  and  vehicles  being  towed.   The tow truck
33    license plate must cover the operating empty  weight  of  the
 
                            -14-               LRB9204275DHmb
 1    tow  truck only. The weight of each vehicle being towed shall
 2    be covered by a valid license plate issued to  the  owner  or
 3    operator  of  the  vehicle  being towed and displayed on that
 4    vehicle. If no valid plate issued to the owner or operator of
 5    that vehicle is displayed  on  that  vehicle,  or  the  plate
 6    displayed  on  that  vehicle does not cover the weight of the
 7    vehicle, the weight of the vehicle shall be  covered  by  the
 8    third  tow truck plate issued to the owner or operator of the
 9    tow truck and temporarily affixed to the vehicle being towed.
10    In addition, the following conditions must be met:
11             (1)  the towing vehicle must be:
12                  a.  specifically designed as a tow truck having
13             a gross vehicle weight rating  of  at  least  18,000
14             lbs.  and equipped with air brakes provided that air
15             brakes shall be required only if the towing  vehicle
16             is towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer
17             combination that is equipped with airbrakes;
18                  b.  equipped   with   flashing,   rotating   or
19             oscillating  amber  lights, visible for at least 500
20             feet in all directions; and
21                  c.  capable  of  utilizing  the  lighting   and
22             braking   systems   of   the   disabled  vehicle  or
23             combination of vehicles.
24             (2)  The towing of the vehicles on the  highways  of
25        this  State  shall  not  exceed 20 miles from the initial
26        point of wreck or disablement. Any additional movement of
27        the  vehicles  shall  only   occur   upon   issuance   of
28        authorization  for  that movement under the provisions of
29        Sections 15-301 through 15-319 of this Chapter.
30        The  Department  may  by  rule  or  regulation  prescribe
31    additional requirements. However, nothing in this Code  shall
32    prohibit  a  tow truck under instructions of a police officer
33    from legally clearing a disabled  vehicle,  that  may  be  in
34    violation  of  weight  limitations  of this Chapter, from the
 
                            -15-               LRB9204275DHmb
 1    roadway to the berm or shoulder of the highway.  Furthermore,
 2    nothing  in  this Code nor any rule or regulation prohibits a
 3    towing vehicle that meets the requirements of  paragraph  (1)
 4    of  this  subsection  (d) from towing any disabled vehicle or
 5    combination of vehicles from the initial point  of  wreck  or
 6    disablement to a point where repairs are actually to occur.
 7        For  the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
 8    rating, or GVWR,  shall  mean  the  value  specified  by  the
 9    manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
10        (e)  No  vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
11    pneumatic tires shall be operated, unladen or with load, upon
12    the highways of this State in violation of the provisions  of
13    any  permit  issued  under  the provisions of Sections 15-301
14    through 15-319 of this Chapter.
15        (f)  Notwithstanding any other provision  in  this  Code,
16    except for those provisions of subsection (d) of this Section
17    relating  to emergency operations of public utilities and tow
18    trucks while actually engaged in the  towing  of  a  disabled
19    vehicle,  and  those vehicles for which the Department issues
20    overweight permits under authority of Section 15-301 of  this
21    Code,  the  weight  limitations  contained in this subsection
22    shall apply to the National System of Interstate and  Defense
23    Highways  and  other highways in the system of State highways
24    that have been designated by the Department as Class  I,  II,
25    or  III.  No vehicle shall be operated on the highways with a
26    weight in excess of 20,000 pounds carried on any one axle  or
27    with  a  tandem  axle weight in excess of 34,000 pounds, or a
28    gross  weight  in  excess  of  80,000  pounds   for   vehicle
29    combinations of 5 axles or more, or a gross weight on a group
30    of  2  or  more  consecutive  axles  in excess of that weight
31    produced by the application of the following formula:
32        W = 500 times the sum of (LN divided by N-1) + 12N + 36
33    Where "W" equals overall gross weight on any group  of  2  or
34    more  consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds; "L" equals
 
                            -16-               LRB9204275DHmb
 1    the distance measured to the nearest foot between extremes of
 2    any group of 2 or more consecutive axles; and "N" equals  the
 3    number of axles in the group under consideration, except that
 4    2  consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of
 5    34,000 pounds each, provided the overall distance between the
 6    first and last axles of the consecutive sets of tandem  axles
 7    is  36  feet  or  more.  Provided  also that a 3-axle vehicle
 8    registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle manufactured prior to
 9    or in the  model  year  of  2004,  and  first  registered  in
10    Illinois  prior  to  January 1, 2005, with a distance greater
11    than 72 inches but not more than 96 inches between the 2 rear
12    axles may transmit to the road surface a  maximum  weight  of
13    18,000 pounds on each of the 2 rear axles with a gross weight
14    on  these  2  axles  not to exceed 36,000 pounds. Any vehicle
15    registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle manufactured prior to
16    or  in  the  model  year  of  2004  or  thereafter  or  first
17    registered in Illinois after December 31, 2004, may  transmit
18    to  the road surface a maximum of 34,000 pounds through the 2
19    rear axles and neither of the rear axles shall exceed  20,000
20    pounds.
21        The  above formula when expressed in tabular form results
22    in allowable loads as follows:

23    Distance measured
24    to the nearest
25    foot between the
26    extremes of any         Maximum load in pounds
27    group of 2 or           carried on any group of
28    more consecutive        2 or more consecutive axles
29    axles
30          feet        2 axles  3 axles  4 axles  5 axles  6 axles
31            4         34,000
32            5         34,000
33            6         34,000
34            7         34,000
 
                            -17-               LRB9204275DHmb
 1            8         38,000*   42,000
 2            9         39,000    42,500
 3           10         40,000    43,500
 4           11                   44,000
 5           12                   45,000   50,000
 6           13                   45,500   50,500
 7           14                   46,500   51,500
 8           15                   47,000   52,000
 9           16                   48,000   52,500   58,000
10           17                   48,500   53,500   58,500
11           18                   49,500   54,000   59,000
12           19                   50,000   54,500   60,000
13           20                   51,000   55,500   60,500   66,000
14           21                   51,500   56,000   61,000   66,500
15           22                   52,500   56,500   61,500   67,000
16           23                   53,000   57,500   62,500   68,000
17           24                   54,000   58,000   63,000   68,500
18           25                   54,500   58,500   63,500   69,000
19           26                   55,500   59,500   64,000   69,500
20           27                   56,000   60,000   65,000   70,000
21           28                   57,000   60,500   65,500   71,000
22           29                   57,500   61,500   66,000   71,500
23           30                   58,500   62,000   66,500   72,000
24           31                   59,000   62,500   67,500   72,500
25           32                   60,000   63,500   68,000   73,000
26           33                            64,000   68,500   74,000
27           34                            64,500   69,000   74,500
28           35                            65,500   70,000   75,000
29           36                            66,000   70,500   75,500
30           37                            66,500   71,000   76,000
31           38                            67,500   72,000   77,000
32           39                            68,000   72,500   77,500
33           40                            68,500   73,000   78,000
34           41                            69,500   73,500   78,500
 
                            -18-               LRB9204275DHmb
 1           42                            70,000   74,000   79,000
 2           43                            70,500   75,000   80,000
 3           44                            71,500   75,500
 4           45                            72,000   76,000
 5           46                            72,500   76,500
 6           47                            73,500   77,500
 7           48                            74,000   78,000
 8           49                            74,500   78,500
 9           50                            75,500   79,000
10           51                            76,000   80,000
11           52                            76,500
12           53                            77,500
13           54                            78,000
14           55                            78,500
15           56                            79,500
16           57                            80,000
17    *If the distance between 2 axles is 96 inches or less, the  2
18    axles  are  tandem  axles  and  the maximum load permitted is
19    34,000 pounds, notwithstanding  the  higher  limit  resulting
20    from the application of the formula.
21        In  applying  the  above formula to a vehicle having more
22    than 4 axles that is not a combination, only 4 axles shall be
23    considered in determining the maximum gross weight, and for a
24    combination of vehicles having more  than  6  axles,  only  6
25    axles  shall  be  considered in determining the maximum gross
26    weight.
27        Notwithstanding the above table, 2  consecutive  sets  of
28    tandem  axles  may carry a gross weight of 34,000 pounds each
29    if the overall distance between the first and last  axles  of
30    the consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or more.
31        Local    authorities    and    road    district   highway
32    commissioners, with respect to  streets  and  highways  under
33    their  jurisdiction,  without  additional  fees,  may also by
34    ordinance or resolution allow the weight limitations of  this
 
                            -19-               LRB9204275DHmb
 1    subsection, provided the maximum gross weight on any one axle
 2    shall  not  exceed 20,000 pounds and the maximum gross weight
 3    on any  tandem  axle  shall  not  exceed  34,000  pounds,  on
 4    designated  highways when appropriate regulatory signs giving
 5    notice are erected upon the street or highway or  portion  of
 6    any   street   or   highway  affected  by  the  ordinance  or
 7    resolution.
 8        Combinations of vehicles, registered as  Special  Hauling
 9    Vehicles  that include a semitrailer manufactured prior to or
10    in the model year of 2004, and first registered  in  Illinois
11    prior  to  January 1, 2005, having 5 axles with a distance of
12    42 feet or less between extreme axles shall be limited to the
13    weights prescribed in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section
14    and not subject to the bridge formula on the National  System
15    of  Interstate and Defense Highways and other highways in the
16    system of State highways designated by  the  Department.  For
17    all   those   combinations   of   vehicles,  that  include  a
18    semitrailer manufactured after the  effective  date  of  this
19    amendatory  Act  of  1986,  the  overall distance between the
20    first and last axles of the 2 sets of tandems must be 18 feet
21    6 inches or more. All combinations of vehicles registered  as
22    Special   Hauling   Vehicles   that   include  a  semitrailer
23    manufactured prior to  or  in  the  model  year  of  2004  or
24    thereafter or first registered in Illinois after December 31,
25    2004,  or  that  has  had its cargo container replaced in its
26    entirety after December 31, 2004, are limited  to  the  gross
27    weight allowed by the above formula.
28        A   truck  not  in  combination,  equipped  with  a  self
29    compactor  or  an  industrial  roll-off  hoist  and  roll-off
30    container, used exclusively for garbage or refuse operations,
31    shall be allowed the weights as prescribed in subsections (a)
32    and (b) of  this  Section  and  not  subject  to  the  bridge
33    formula,  provided they are not operated on a highway that is
34    part of the Interstate and Defense Highway System.
 
                            -20-               LRB9204275DHmb
 1        Vehicles  operating  under  this  subsection  shall  have
 2    access for a distance of one highway mile to or from a  Class
 3    I  highway  on  any street or highway, unless there is a sign
 4    prohibiting the access, or 5 highway miles to or from  either
 5    a Class I, II, or III highway on a street or highway included
 6    in  the  system  of  State  highways  and  upon any street or
 7    highway designated by  local  authorities  or  road  district
 8    commissioners  to  points  of  loading  and  unloading and to
 9    facilities for food, fuel, repairs and rest.
10        Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
11    relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to  the
12    designation of highways under this subsection.
13        (g)  No  person shall operate a vehicle or combination of
14    vehicles  over  a  bridge   or   other   elevated   structure
15    constituting  part  of  a highway with a gross weight that is
16    greater than the maximum weight permitted by the  Department,
17    when  the  structure  is  sign  posted  as  provided  in this
18    Section.
19        (h)  The Department upon request from any local authority
20    shall,  or  upon  its  own   initiative   may,   conduct   an
21    investigation  of  any  bridge  or  other  elevated structure
22    constituting a part of a highway, and if it  finds  that  the
23    structure  cannot  with safety to itself withstand the weight
24    of  vehicles  otherwise  permissible  under  this  Code   the
25    Department  shall determine and declare the maximum weight of
26    vehicles that the structures can withstand, and  shall  cause
27    or permit suitable signs stating maximum weight to be erected
28    and  maintained  before each end of the structure.  No person
29    shall operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles  over  any
30    structure with a gross weight that is greater than the posted
31    maximum weight.
32        (i)  Upon   the  trial  of  any  person  charged  with  a
33    violation of subsections (g) or (h) of this Section, proof of
34    the determination of the  maximum  allowable  weight  by  the
 
                            -21-               LRB9204275DHmb
 1    Department  and  the  existence  of  the  signs,  constitutes
 2    conclusive  evidence  of  the  maximum  weight  that  can  be
 3    maintained with safety to the bridge or structure.
 4    (Source: P.A.  89-117,  eff.  7-7-95;  89-433, eff. 12-15-95;
 5    90-89,  eff.  1-1-98;  90-330,  eff.  8-8-97;  90-655,   eff.
 6    7-30-98.)

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