Public Act 100-0366
 
HB2492 EnrolledLRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b

    AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing
Sections 15-101 and 15-111 as follows:
 
    (625 ILCS 5/15-101)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-101)
    Sec. 15-101. Scope and effect of Chapter 15.
    (a) It is unlawful for any person to drive or move on, upon
or across or for the owner to cause or knowingly permit to be
driven or moved on, upon or across any highway any vehicle or
vehicles of a size and weight exceeding the limitations stated
in this Chapter or otherwise in violation of this Chapter, and
the maximum size and weight of vehicles herein specified shall
be lawful throughout this State, and local authorities shall
have no power or authority to alter such limitations except as
express authority may be granted in this Chapter.
    (b) The provisions of this Chapter governing size, weight,
and load do not apply to equipment for snow and ice removal
operations owned or operated by any governmental body, or to
implements of husbandry, as defined in Chapter 1 of this Code,
temporarily operated or towed in a combination upon a highway
provided such combination does not consist of more than 3
vehicles or, in the case of hauling fresh, perishable fruits or
vegetables from farm to the point of first processing, not more
than 3 wagons being towed by an implement of husbandry, or to a
vehicle operated under the terms of a special permit issued
hereunder. Except for weight limits on Class I highways under
this Chapter, the The provisions of this Chapter governing
size, weight, and load do not apply to fire apparatus or
emergency vehicles.
    (c) The provisions of this Chapter governing size, weight,
and load do not apply to any snow and ice removal equipment
that is no more than 12 feet in width, if the equipment
displays flags at least 18 inches square mounted on the
driver's side of the snow plow.
    These vehicles must be equipped with an illuminated
rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber light or lights, or a
flashing amber strobe light or lights, mounted on the top of
the cab and of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet
in normal sunlight. If the load on the transport vehicle blocks
the visibility of the amber lighting from the rear of the
vehicle, the vehicle must also be equipped with an illuminated
rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber light or lights, or a
flashing amber strobe light or lights, mounted on the rear of
the load and of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet
in normal sunlight.
(Source: P.A. 99-717, eff. 8-5-16.)
 
    (625 ILCS 5/15-111)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-111)
    Sec. 15-111. Wheel and axle loads and gross weights.
    (a) No vehicle or combination of vehicles with pneumatic
tires may be operated, unladen or with load, when the total
weight on the road surface exceeds the following: 20,000 pounds
on a single axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle
within the tandem exceeding 20,000 pounds; 80,000 pounds gross
weight for vehicle combinations of 5 or more axles; or a total
weight on a group of 2 or more consecutive axles in excess of
that weight produced by the application of the following
formula: W = 500 times the sum of (LN divided by N-1) + 12N +
36, where "W" equals overall total weight on any group of 2 or
more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds, "L" equals
the distance measured to the nearest foot between extremes of
any group of 2 or more consecutive axles, and "N" equals the
number of axles in the group under consideration.
    The above formula when expressed in tabular form results in
allowable loads as follows:
 
Distance measured
to the nearest
foot between the
extremes of any         Maximum weight in pounds
group of 2 or           of any group of
more consecutive        2 or more consecutive axles
axles
feet2 axles3 axles4 axles5 axles6 axles
434,000
534,000
634,000
734,000
838,000*42,000
939,00042,500
1040,00043,500
1144,000
1245,00050,000
1345,50050,500
1446,50051,500
1547,00052,000
1648,00052,50058,000
1748,50053,50058,500
1849,50054,00059,000
1950,00054,50060,000
2051,00055,50060,50066,000
2151,50056,00061,00066,500
2252,50056,50061,50067,000
2353,00057,50062,50068,000
2454,00058,00063,00068,500
2554,50058,50063,50069,000
2655,50059,50064,00069,500
2756,00060,00065,00070,000
2857,00060,50065,50071,000
2957,50061,50066,00071,500
3058,50062,00066,50072,000
3159,00062,50067,50072,500
3260,00063,50068,00073,000
3364,00068,50074,000
3464,50069,00074,500
3565,50070,00075,000
3666,00070,50075,500
3766,50071,00076,000
3867,50072,00077,000
3968,00072,50077,500
4068,50073,00078,000
4169,50073,50078,500
4270,00074,00079,000
4370,50075,00080,000
4471,50075,500
4572,00076,000
4672,50076,500
4773,50077,500
4874,00078,000
4974,50078,500
5075,50079,000
5176,00080,000
5276,500
5377,500
5478,000
5578,500
5679,500
5780,000
*If the distance between 2 axles is 96 inches or less, the 2
axles are tandem axles and the maximum total weight may not
exceed 34,000 pounds, notwithstanding the higher limit
resulting from the application of the formula.
    Vehicles not in a combination having more than 4 axles may
not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (a) for 4
axles measured between the extreme axles of the vehicle.
    Vehicles in a combination having more than 6 axles may not
exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (a) for 6
axles measured between the extreme axles of the combination.
    Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
under their jurisdiction, without additional fees, may also by
ordinance or resolution allow the weight limitations of this
subsection, provided the maximum gross weight on any one axle
shall not exceed 20,000 pounds and the maximum total weight on
any tandem axle shall not exceed 34,000 pounds, on designated
highways when appropriate regulatory signs giving notice are
erected upon the street or highway or portion of any street or
highway affected by the ordinance or resolution.
    The following are exceptions to the above formula:
        (1) Vehicles for which a different limit is established
    and posted in accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code.
        (2) Vehicles for which the Department of
    Transportation and local authorities issue overweight
    permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code.
    These vehicles are not subject to the bridge formula.
        (3) Cities having a population of more than 50,000 may
    permit by ordinance axle loads on 2-axle motor vehicles 33
    1/2% above those provided for herein, but the increase
    shall not become effective until the city has officially
    notified the Department of the passage of the ordinance and
    shall not apply to those vehicles when outside of the
    limits of the city, nor shall the gross weight of any
    2-axle motor vehicle operating over any street of the city
    exceed 40,000 pounds.
        (4) Weight limitations shall not apply to vehicles
    (including loads) operated by a public utility when
    transporting equipment required for emergency repair of
    public utility facilities or properties or water wells.
        (4.5) A 3-axle or 4-axle vehicle (including when laden)
    operated or hired by a municipality within Cook, Lake,
    McHenry, Kane, DuPage, or Will county being operated for
    the purpose of performing emergency sewer repair that would
    be subject to a weight limitation less than 66,000 pounds
    under the formula in this subsection (a) shall have a
    weight limitation of 66,000 pounds or the vehicle's gross
    vehicle weight rating, whichever is less. This paragraph
    (4.5) does not apply to vehicles being operated on the
    National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, or to
    vehicles being operated on bridges or other elevated
    structures constituting a part of a highway.
        (5) Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a
    total weight of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance
    between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of
    tandem axles is 36 feet or more, notwithstanding the lower
    limit resulting from the application of the above formula.
        (6) A truck, not in combination and used exclusively
    for the collection of rendering materials, may, when laden,
    transmit upon the road surface, except when on part of the
    National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, the
    following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle;
    40,000 pounds on a tandem axle.
        (7) A truck not in combination, equipped with a self
    compactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and roll-off
    container, used exclusively for garbage, refuse, or
    recycling operations, may, when laden, transmit upon the
    road surface, except when on part of the National System of
    Interstate and Defense Highways, the following maximum
    weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
    tandem axle; 40,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle
    vehicle; 54,000 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle.
    This vehicle is not subject to the bridge formula.
        (7.5) A 3-axle rear discharge truck mixer registered as
    a Special Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the mixing
    and transportation of concrete in the plastic state, may,
    when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except when on
    part of the National System of Interstate and Defense
    Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on
    single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle; 54,000 pounds
    gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle. This vehicle is not
    subject to the bridge formula.
        (8) Except as provided in paragraph (7.5) of this
    subsection (a), tandem axles on a 3-axle truck registered
    as a Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in
    the model year of 2024 and first registered in Illinois
    prior to January 1, 2025, with a distance greater than 72
    inches but not more than 96 inches between any series of 2
    axles, is allowed a combined weight on the series not to
    exceed 36,000 pounds and neither axle of the series may
    exceed 20,000 pounds. Any vehicle of this type manufactured
    after the model year of 2024 or first registered in
    Illinois after December 31, 2024 may not exceed a combined
    weight of 34,000 pounds through the series of 2 axles and
    neither axle of the series may exceed 20,000 pounds.
        A 3-axle combination sewer cleaning jetting vacuum
    truck registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle, used
    exclusively for the transportation of non-hazardous solid
    waste, manufactured before or in the model year of 2014,
    first registered in Illinois before January 1, 2015, may,
    when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except when on
    part of the National System of Interstate and Defense
    Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a
    single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle; 54,000 pounds
    gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle. This vehicle is not
    subject to the bridge formula.
        (9) A 4-axle truck mixer registered as a Special
    Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the mixing and
    transportation of concrete in the plastic state, and not
    operated on a highway that is part of the National System
    of Interstate Highways, is allowed the following maximum
    weights: 20,000 pounds on any single axle; 36,000 pounds on
    a series of axles greater than 72 inches but not more than
    96 inches; and 34,000 pounds on any series of 2 axles
    greater than 40 inches but not more than 72 inches. The
    gross weight of this vehicle may not exceed the weights
    allowed by the bridge formula for 4 axles. The bridge
    formula does not apply to any series of 3 axles while the
    vehicle is transporting concrete in the plastic state, but
    no axle or tandem axle of the series may exceed the maximum
    weight permitted under this paragraph (9) of subsection
    (a).
        (10) Combinations of vehicles, registered as Special
    Hauling Vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured
    prior to or in the model year of 2024, and registered in
    Illinois prior to January 1, 2025, having 5 axles with a
    distance of 42 feet or less between extreme axles, may not
    exceed the following maximum weights: 20,000 pounds on a
    single axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle; and 72,000
    pounds gross weight. This combination of vehicles is not
    subject to the bridge formula. For all those combinations
    of vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured after
    the effective date of P.A. 92-0417, the overall distance
    between the first and last axles of the 2 sets of tandems
    must be 18 feet 6 inches or more. Any combination of
    vehicles that has had its cargo container replaced in its
    entirety after December 31, 2024 may not exceed the weights
    allowed by the bridge formula.
        (11) The maximum weight allowed on a vehicle with
    crawler type tracks is 40,000 pounds.
        (12) A combination of vehicles, including a tow truck
    and a disabled vehicle or disabled combination of vehicles,
    that exceeds the weight restriction imposed by this Code,
    may be operated on a public highway in this State provided
    that neither the disabled vehicle nor any vehicle being
    towed nor the tow truck itself shall exceed the weight
    limitations permitted under this Chapter. During the
    towing operation, neither the tow truck nor the vehicle
    combination shall exceed 24,000 pounds on a single rear
    axle and 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle, provided the
    towing vehicle:
            (i) is specifically designed as a tow truck having
        a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds
        and is equipped with air brakes, provided that air
        brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is
        towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer
        combination that is equipped with air brakes;
            (ii) is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
        oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet
        in all directions;
            (iii) is capable of utilizing the lighting and
        braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination
        of vehicles; and
            (iv) does not engage in a tow exceeding 20 miles
        from the initial point of wreck or disablement. Any
        additional movement of the vehicles may occur only upon
        issuance of authorization for that movement under the
        provisions of Sections 15-301 through 15-319 of this
        Code. The towing vehicle, however, may tow any disabled
        vehicle to a point where repairs are actually to occur.
        This movement shall be valid only on State routes. The
        tower must abide by posted bridge weight limits.
        (12.5) The vehicle weight limitations in this Section
    do not apply to a covered heavy duty tow and recovery
    vehicle. The covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicle
    license plate must cover the operating empty weight of the
    covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicle only.
        (13) Upon and during a declaration of an emergency
    propane supply disaster by the Governor under Section 7 of
    the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act:
            (i) a truck not in combination, equipped with a
        cargo tank, used exclusively for the transportation of
        propane or liquefied petroleum gas may, when laden,
        transmit upon the road surface, except when on part of
        the National System of Interstate and Defense
        Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds
        on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle;
        40,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle vehicle; 54,000
        pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle; and
            (ii) a truck when in combination with a trailer
        equipped with a cargo tank used exclusively for the
        transportation of propane or liquefied petroleum gas
        may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except
        when on part of the National System of Interstate and
        Defense Highways, the following maximum weights:
        22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
        tandem axle; 90,000 pounds gross weight on a 5-axle or
        6-axle vehicle.
        Vehicles operating under this paragraph (13) are not
    subject to the bridge formula.
        (14) A vehicle or combination of vehicles that uses
    natural gas or propane gas as a motor fuel may exceed the
    above weight limitations by up to 2,000 pounds, the total
    allowance is calculated by an amount that is equal to the
    difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable
    to the natural gas or propane gas tank and fueling system
    carried by the vehicle, and the weight of a comparable
    diesel tank and fueling system. This paragraph (14) shall
    not allow a vehicle to exceed any posted weight limit on a
    highway or structure.
        (15) An emergency vehicle or fire apparatus that is a
    vehicle designed to be used under emergency conditions to
    transport personnel and equipment, and used to support the
    suppression of fires and mitigation of other hazardous
    situations on a Class I highway, may not exceed 86,000
    pounds gross weight, or any of the following weight
    allowances:
            (i) 24,000 pounds on a single steering axle;
            (ii) 33,500 pounds on a single drive axle;
            (iii) 62,000 pounds on a tandem axle; or
            (iv) 52,000 pounds on a tandem rear drive steer
        axle.
        (16) A bus, motor coach, or recreational vehicle may
    carry a total weight of 24,000 pounds on a single axle, but
    may not exceed other weight provisions of this Section.
    Gross weight limits shall not apply to the combination of
the tow truck and vehicles being towed. The tow truck license
plate must cover the operating empty weight of the tow truck
only. The weight of each vehicle being towed shall be covered
by a valid license plate issued to the owner or operator of the
vehicle being towed and displayed on that vehicle. If no valid
plate issued to the owner or operator of that vehicle is
displayed on that vehicle, or the plate displayed on that
vehicle does not cover the weight of the vehicle, the weight of
the vehicle shall be covered by the third tow truck plate
issued to the owner or operator of the tow truck and
temporarily affixed to the vehicle being towed. If a roll-back
carrier is registered and being used as a tow truck, however,
the license plate or plates for the tow truck must cover the
gross vehicle weight, including any load carried on the bed of
the roll-back carrier.
    The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
additional requirements. However, nothing in this Code shall
prohibit a tow truck under instructions of a police officer
from legally clearing a disabled vehicle, that may be in
violation of weight limitations of this Chapter, from the
roadway to the berm or shoulder of the highway. If in the
opinion of the police officer that location is unsafe, the
officer is authorized to have the disabled vehicle towed to the
nearest place of safety.
    For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
rating, or GVWR, means the value specified by the manufacturer
as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
    (b) As used in this Section, "recycling haul" or "recycling
operation" means the hauling of non-hazardous, non-special,
non-putrescible materials, such as paper, glass, cans, or
plastic, for subsequent use in the secondary materials market.
    (c) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
pneumatic tires shall be operated, unladen or with load, upon
the highways of this State in violation of the provisions of
any permit issued under the provisions of Sections 15-301
through 15-319 of this Chapter.
    (d) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
other than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with
load, upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on
the road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
    (e) No person shall operate a vehicle or combination of
vehicles over a bridge or other elevated structure constituting
part of a highway with a gross weight that is greater than the
maximum weight permitted by the Department, when the structure
is sign posted as provided in this Section.
    (f) The Department upon request from any local authority
shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation
of any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part
of a highway, and if it finds that the structure cannot with
safety to itself withstand the weight of vehicles otherwise
permissible under this Code the Department shall determine and
declare the maximum weight of vehicles that the structures can
withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating
maximum weight to be erected and maintained before each end of
the structure. No person shall operate a vehicle or combination
of vehicles over any structure with a gross weight that is
greater than the posted maximum weight.
    (g) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation
of subsection (e) or (f) of this Section, proof of the
determination of the maximum allowable weight by the Department
and the existence of the signs, constitutes conclusive evidence
of the maximum weight that can be maintained with safety to the
bridge or structure.
(Source: P.A. 98-409, eff. 1-1-14; 98-410, eff. 8-16-13;
98-756, eff. 7-16-14; 98-942, eff. 1-1-15; 98-956, eff. 1-1-15;
98-1029, eff. 1-1-15; 99-78, eff. 7-20-15; 99-717, eff.
8-5-16.)

Effective Date: 1/1/2018