Section 542.100  Introduction

 

a)         This Part has been developed to regulate the use of business logos displayed along various freeways.  It establishes standards, specifications, and financial responsibility for a program of placing business logos on specific service panels.  The displayed business logos will provide motorists with travel related directional information to facilities offering gas, food, lodging, camping, and 24-hour pharmacies.

 

b)         This program applies to freeways within the State of Illinois that are under the jurisdiction of the Department.  However, because of the close spacing of interchanges, presence of existing critical directional signs, and congestion in the densely populated Chicago, Peoria and St. Louis metropolitan areas, this program will not apply to the following sections of highways:

 

1)         Interstate 57 from the southerly Chicago city limits northerly to its terminal with Interstate 94;

 

2)         Interstate 55 from Interstate 294 northerly to Lake Michigan;

 

3)         Interstate 90 from the Indiana state line to Exit 3 northbound;

 

4)         Interstate 94 from the southerly Chicago city limits northerly to the Wisconsin state line;

 

5)         Interstate 290;

 

6)         Interstate 55/70 from Interstate 255 southerly to the Missouri state line;

 

7)         Interstate 64 from, but not including, Exit 6 westerly to the Missouri state line;

 

8)         Interstate 74 through Peoria between and including the Sterling Avenue interchange (Exit 88) and the Washington Avenue interchange (Exit 95), except for the eastbound off-ramp to Sterling Avenue and the westbound off-ramp to Washington Street;

 

9)         Interstate 74 from, and including, Exit 4 northerly to the Iowa state line;

 

10)         Illinois 394 except for the Glenwood Dyer Road and US 30 interchanges; and

 

11)         Any other freeway in Cook and DuPage Counties except for Interstate 80.

 

c)         In an urbanized area where three consecutive freeway interchanges are each spaced less than one and one-quarter miles apart, logo signing will not be provided.

 

(Source:  Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 18905, effective October 26, 2011)

 

Section 542.200  Definitions

 

The following words or phrases when used in this Part shall have the meanings ascribed to them below.

 

"Ahead or Advance" – a sign is ahead or in advance of another when it is at a greater distance then the other from the crossroad being signed.

 

"Business" – an open establishment that provides gas, food, lodging, camping, or a 24-hour pharmacy as a motorist service to the general public.

 

"Business Sign" – a rectangular  sign consisting of a business trademark, name, brand, symbol, or combinations thereof.  This sign, also referred to as a logo sign, is displayed on a specific service panel or together with an arrow panel as a trailblazer sign.

 

"Crossroad" – a public road intersecting the freeway for which an interchange is provided.

 

"Department" – the Illinois Department of Transportation, with central offices at 2300 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, Illinois 62764.

 

"District" – the organizational structure of the Department.  The Department is divided into 5 Regions.  Each Region, except Region 1, is then subdivided into 2 Districts.  The program is administered in the District offices.

 

"Entrance or Exit Ramps" – lanes entering or leaving the main traveled way of a freeway.  These lanes provide access between the freeway and the crossroad at an interchange.

 

"Fiscal Year" – a year beginning July 1 and ending the following June 30.

 

"Freeway" – a divided highway for through traffic with full control of access and grade separations at crossroads.

 

"Interchange" – a system of interconnecting ramps providing for the movement of traffic between two roadways on different levels.

 

"Interstate" – a freeway that is part of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and marked with an Interstate Route Number.

 

"Level 1 Sign" – any business sign installed on a specific service panel, or on that portion of a second specific service panel that displays a service type not displayed on any other specific service panel in the same direction in advance of an interchange.

 

"Level 2 Sign" – any business sign installed on the portion of a second specific service panel that displays a service type also displayed on another specific service panel in the same direction in advance of an interchange.

 

"RV-friendly Message" − a supplemental message advising that a business establishment can accommodate the movement and parking of recreational vehicles (RVs).

 

"Second Specific Service Panel" – a specific service panel that accommodates additional logo sign space for a specific service type beyond the maximum space allowed on an existing specific service panel.  If there is more than one specific service panel installed in the same direction in advance of an interchange that displays the same service type, the panel with the most recent original installation date is considered the second specific service panel for that service type.

 

"Service" – a type of facility used by motorists; namely gas, food, lodging, camping, or a 24-hour pharmacy.

 

"Specific Service Panel" – a rectangular panel, displaying the words GAS, FOOD, LODGING, CAMPING, or 24-HOUR PHARMACY and directional information, on which a business sign is mounted.  A panel along the freeway is referred to as a "freeway panel" and a panel along the exit ramp or crossroad is referred to as an "exit ramp panel."

 

"Trailblazer Assembly" – a small sign guiding motorists from the ramp to the business.  The sign is not required if the business can readily be seen from the crossroad.  However, if motorists seeking the business must be directed to turn off the crossroad onto another road in order to reach the business, the sign becomes necessary.

 

"Trailblazer Sign" – a business sign displayed, together with an arrow panel, off the freeway highway system to advise motorists where to turn on the crossroad (when necessary).

 

"Urbanized Area" – a municipality with a population of 50,000 or more, and its contiguous urban fringe with a population density of 1,000 or more inhabitants per square mile; or a municipality with at least a population of 25,000 together with other contiguous places (incorporated or unincorporated) each with a population density of 1,000 or more inhabitants per square mile, which altogether constitutes for general socioeconomic purposes a single community with a combined population of at least 50,000 inhabitants. 

 

(Source:  Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 18905, effective October 26, 2011)

 

Section 542.300  Criteria for Specific Service Panels

 

a)         Number and Order of Freeway Panels

 

1)         Specific service panels and business logo signs may be installed under the standards of Chapter 2J of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highway, 2009 Edition, available from the US Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington DC 20590, (202)366-4000 or http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov, no later amendments or editions included.  Specific service panels may be installed for each of the five types of services (gas, food, lodging, camping, and 24-hour pharmacy).  There will be a maximum of four service panels with a total of 24 logo signs erected within the right-of-way of a freeway for each direction of travel in advance of an interchange after receipt of the business signs by the Department for each type of service.  There will be a maximum of two specific service panels and 12 business logo signs that display a specific service type.  Each service panel will provide space for a maximum of six logo signs regardless of whether the service panel displays one or multiple service types.  A service panel may display up to three different service types but will provide enough space for at least two logo signs for all service types displayed. These maximum limits will also include any service panels and logo signs installed for attractions (see 92 Ill. Adm. Code 543, Tourism Attraction Signing Program).

 

2)         Specific service panels will not be erected in advance of any exit-only freeway interchange where motorists cannot immediately reenter the freeway and continue in the same direction of travel.

 

3)         Specific service panels shall be installed successively in the direction of travel in the following order:  24-HOUR PHARMACY, CAMPING, LODGING, FOOD, and GAS (i.e., the GAS panel shall be the last specific service panel viewed by motorists before reaching the appropriate exit ramp).

 

4)         Where sufficient distance is not available between interchanges to install four specific service panels, only the number of panels that can be properly spaced will be installed.  Service panels may be modified to include other service types (see subsection (a)(1)).  To determine those services that will be signed, priority will be given in the following order from top to bottom:

 

GAS (Level 1 signs)

FOOD (Level 1 signs)

LODGING (Level 1 signs)

CAMPING (Level 1 signs)

ATTRACTIONS (Level 1 signs)

24-HOUR PHARMACY (Level 1 signs)

GAS (Level 2 signs)

FOOD (Level 2 signs)

LODGING (Level 2 signs)

CAMPING (Level 2 signs)

ATTRACTIONS (Level 2 signs)

24-HOUR PHARMACY (Level 2 signs)

 

Once a type of service has a specific service panel or second specific service panel erected at an interchange that continues to display at least one business logo sign, that panel or service type will not be removed because a business establishment from another higher priority service requests to participate.

 

5)         All specific service panels shall be ground-mounted.

 

b)         Location of Freeway Panels

 

1)         Each specific service panel along the freeway shall be installed at least 800 feet from other panels and/or signs.  Where possible, the series of specific service panels in advance of an interchange is to be erected ahead of the first advance guide sign, such as "Main Street 1 Mile."   Where a sign, such as a county line sign, is located ahead of the advance guide sign and obstructs normal panel sequential spacing, the panels shall be spaced so as to incorporate that additional sign.   Where the specific service panels cannot all be properly located ahead of the advance guide sign because of a lack of required longitudinal distance or topography, as many of the panels as possible shall be installed ahead of the advance guide sign and the remaining panels shall be installed closer to the exit ramp but as close to the first advance guide sign as possible, consistent with the previously stated spacing requirements.   In any event, the last panel will not be placed closer than 800 feet in advance of either the exit direction sign (displaying the take-off arrow) or the beginning of the exit ramp taper, nor will it be placed any closer than 500 feet from the preceding entrance ramp stub.

 

2)         Specific service panels will not be erected in advance of entrance ramps from a previous interchange.

 

c)         Exit Ramp Panels at Single-Exit Interchanges

 

1)         Specific service panels will be installed along exit ramps at single-exit interchanges in accordance with subsection (c)(2).  These panels will be placed in the same sequential order as those along the freeway.  Each exit ramp panel shall be installed at least 200 feet from other panels and/or signs.

 

2)         Any business establishment that has its logo displayed on a freeway panel shall be required to display its logo on an exit ramp panel at a single-exit interchange.  This provision applies to those businesses who receive approval of their applications on or after September 1, 2000. Only businesses having logos displayed on freeway panels will have logos displayed on exit ramps panels.

 

3)         The Department will place a supplemental distance sign below the business sign of any establishment over one mile from the exit ramp at single-exit interchanges.  Whenever the Department places such sign on an exit ramp panel, it will also place a supplemental distance sign for the business sign of any other business establishment ½ mile or more from the ramp.  The supplemental sign will indicate the distance to the facility in half-mile increments.

 

d)         Exit Ramp Panels at Double-Exit Interchanges

 

1)         Any business establishment that has its logo displayed on a freeway panel shall not be required to display its logo on an exit ramp panel at a double-exit interchange.  Any business establishment that has its logo displayed on a freeway panel at a double-exit interchange that is reconstructed to a single-exit interchange will be required to have its logo displayed on ramp panels in accordance with subsection (c).   

 

(Source:  Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 18905, effective October 26, 2011)

 

Section 542.400  Criteria for Business Signs

 

a)         For those sections of freeway routes where business signs are to be installed, any business establishment meeting the following criteria will be considered for placement of a business sign on a specific service panel.

 

b)         General Criteria

 

1)         GAS:  Must be open 7 days a week for a minimum of 12 hours a day.  It shall have normal service station goods and services, which are on-site phone access, gas, oil, water, and restroom.  An attendant must be present at the business at all times the business is open.

 

2)         FOOD:  Must be open any 6 days a week and serve at least two meals per day, or remain open for a minimum of 6 hours each day.  It shall be certified by the Illinois Department of Public Health or local health department and have a restroom and on-site phone access.

 

3)         LODGING:  Must be open 7 days a week.  It shall have on-site phone access, restroom and sleeping accommodations.  At least half of the accommodations shall be available to the general public and shall not be restricted to members only.

 

4)         CAMPING:  Must be open 7 days a week for at least 6 months of the year.  It shall have camping and parking accommodations, restroom, on-site phone access, and drinking water.  At least half of the accommodations shall be available to the general public and shall not be restricted to members only.

 

5)         24-HOUR PHARMACY:  Must be open continuously 24 hours

per day, 365 days per year, with an Illinois-licensed pharmacist present and on duty in the pharmacy at all times.

 

c)         Distance to Business

 

1)         In a nonurbanized area, a business providing gas, food, lodging, or a 24-hour pharmacy must be within three road miles from a freeway interchange, while a business providing camping must be within 20 road miles.

 

2)         In an urbanized area, a business providing gas, food, lodging or a 24-hour pharmacy must be within one road mile from a freeway interchange, while a business providing camping must be within five road miles.

 

3)         The distance to each business establishment will be measured as the travel distance between the end of the appropriate exit ramp and the business establishment.  The distance to a business on a crossroad will be measured along the centerline of the crossroad from the end of the appropriate exit ramp to the center of the primary entrance to the business. Where the business is located along an intersecting road, the distance will be measured along the centerline of the crossroad to the centerline of the intersecting road and then measured along the centerline of the intersecting road to the center of the primary entrance to the business.  Where an entrance serves more than one business, the driving distance using the proper marked driving aisles from the entrance to the parking space available for patrons nearest the business will be added to the distance measured along the crossroad or intersecting road.  In the event the Department cannot determine which business establishment is closest to the appropriate exit ramp, priority for the available space will be determined by lottery, coin toss, or any other fair and impartial method determined by the Department.  The affected businesses will be allowed to witness such action.

 

4)         Signing will be allowed for a business establishment on each freeway from which it qualifies.  If a business establishment meets the criteria at more than one interchange on any one freeway, signing will be allowed only from the interchange providing the most direct and best route in each direction from that freeway to the business establishment.  In determining the most direct and best route, the Department will consider all relevant conditions including the directness of the route, congestion of the route, speed of travel, length of travel, and ease of locating the facility.

 

d)         Business Signing Priorities

 

1)         A specific service panel shall have a maximum of six business logo signs.  Where there are more businesses of a specific service type eligible for and desiring signing than the number of signs and service panels permitted, those businesses nearest the exit ramp intersection with the crossroad will be given first priority for signing.  Because each exit at an interchange is treated separately, a business establishment may be eligible to sign for only one direction of travel along a freeway.  

 

A)        When additional requests are received for a service type that has an existing full specific service panel, the Department may install a second specific service panel for that service type.  When additional requests are received for a service type that has an existing full panel and there are four existing service panels at the interchange, a second specific service type may be combined with an existing specific service panel based on the requirements of Section 542.300(a)(1) and the following:

 

i)          The service type that is full may be displayed on the service panel displaying a service type of lesser priority (see Section 542.300(a)(4)) that has the least number of logo signs installed.

 

ii)         A service type that is full will only be combined with a service type of higher priority as a last option.

 

iii)        At least one space will remain available for the existing service type that is being combined at the time the service panel is being modified.

 

iv)        An existing service panel displaying more than three existing Level 1 signs will not be modified.

 

v)         If there is more than one service type requesting Level 2 signs at the same time, the service type with the highest priority will be considered first in determining the ability to display Level 2 signs.

 

B)        When considering a second specific service panel, the Department will take into consideration the number of other services available at the interchange, the interest expressed by qualified businesses and tourism attractions in the logo signing program, and the anticipated future development of the area.

 

2)         A business with Level 1 signs will not have its signs removed because of a nearer business as long as it continues to meet the established criteria and continues  to pay annual fees.  A business with Level 1 signs cannot choose to have its signs relocated to a second specific service panel.  This provision does not apply to Level 2 signs (see subsection (d)(7)).

 

3)         Once businesses are selected for a particular panel, the eligible business closest to the interchange from which an application was received will have its sign placed on the available space closest to the top left of the panel, and the second closest business will be on the next available space horizontally.  On panels for single-exit interchanges, after spaces on the top row are filled, signs will be placed along the next row or rows in the same manner.  Signs will be arranged similarly for double-exit interchanges, except the business at the first exit will have signs on the top portion of the panels and businesses at the second exit will have signs at the bottom portion of the panels. If a business leaves the program and subsequently reapplies and is accepted back into the program, its new sign will be placed on the panel in the same place as its previous sign if the space is available or, in the event the previous space has been assigned to another business, in the closest available space to its previous space.  Once placed on a panel, requests from a business to relocate its business sign to other available locations on the panel will not be honored.

 

4)         The Department will remove individual business signs within 15 calendar days after a business leaving the program for any reason and such empty space on the specific service panel will constitute public notice that such space is available for another qualifying business.  When such removal of individual business signs causes space to become available on any specific service panel and where the panel had, up to that time, the maximum number of individual business signs allowed, the qualifying business closest to the interchange that submits a valid application, including the required application fee, within 45 calendar days after such removal, not counting the removal date, and that is open to the public on or before the end of the 45 day time period, will be allowed to display its business sign in the available space. If no qualifying business submits its application within the 45 day period, the first qualifying business that submits a valid application and that is open to the public at the time the application is submitted, will be allowed to display its business sign in the available space.  When the Department installs a second specific service panel, the qualifying businesses closest to the interchange that submit a valid application within 45 calendar days after the installation date of the service panel, and that are open to the public on or before the end of the 45-day time period, will be allowed to display their business signs in the available spaces.  The installation of a second specific service panel will constitute public notice that the space is available for qualifying businesses.

 

5)         When a business closes due to remodeling, or due to an act of God, including, but not limited to, fire or flood, the business shall notify the Department in writing of the closure within 30 calendar days.  The complete demolition of a business' building will be considered to be remodeling as long as the new business building is constructed on the existing site.  Following closure, the business signs will be removed and returned to the business.  If the business remains closed after six months, the space will be declared available. In any event, if the allowable closure period extends to the subsequent fiscal year, the annual rental fee for the business must be paid for that year or the space will be declared available.  If the business does not notify the Department in writing within 30 calendar days after the closure, and the Department becomes aware of such closure, the closure will be considered permanent, the business will lose its signing priority and the space will be declared available.  When a space is declared available, a new application must be submitted for inclusion in the program and its priority will be evaluated among all the other eligible businesses desiring signing at the interchange in question.

 

6)         Loss of Signing Priority

 

A)        If any of the following changes occur, the business will lose its signing priority and the space will be declared available:

 

i)          When the service type changes (i.e., a gas station changing to a food establishment).

 

ii)         When a business closes its current location to move to a new location.

 

iii)        When the business closes permanently.

 

B)        If the business reopens, wishes to take part in this program and is still eligible for signing under this program, and if a space has been declared available, the business shall submit a new application and its priority will be evaluated among all the other eligible businesses desiring signing at the interchange in question.

 

7)         Level 2 signs will be removed by Department personnel, regardless of how long they have been installed, when the business no longer meets the requirements of this Part, is in arrears on annual payments, or for any of the reasons listed in subsection (d)(6).  If not already removed for any other reason, businesses with Level 2 signs that have been installed more than five years will have their signs removed at the end of the fifth fiscal year for which they have prepaid.  Removal will only apply if there are no spaces available on the second specific service panel displaying the Level 2 signs at the end of the fifth fiscal year.  Businesses with Level 2 signs that are removed for this reason that wish to have their signs reinstalled will be required to reapply and their priority will be evaluated among all the other eligible businesses desiring signing at the interchange in question.  The available spot or spots on the second specific service panel will be filled as specified in subsection (d)(4).  When  Level 1 signs are removed because a business is no longer part of the program, the business with Level 2 signs at the same interchange, of the same service type, and that is closest to the interchange will have its business signs relocated to the removed Level 1 signs' former spaces.  The relocated signs will become Level 1 signs and will no longer be subject to removal after a five year period.  Businesses cannot choose to keep their signs on the second service panel. 

 

e)         Location of Business

 

1)         Business on the Crossroad

Where a business establishment providing gas, food, lodging, camping, or a 24-hour pharmacy is on the crossroad, it will be signed on a freeway panel if it is visible to the motorists from the crossroad, or if a sign is on the business site advising motorists of the appropriate entrance to the establishment.

 

2)         Business Not on the Crossroad

 

A)        Where a business establishment providing gas, food, lodging, or a 24-hour pharmacy is not on the crossroad, it will be signed on a freeway panel if it is visible to the motorists from the crossroad, or if it is visible from a road intersecting the crossroad and has a trailblazer assembly placed on the crossroad advising motorists where to turn.   The Department will place such trailblazer signs on state highway crossroads for the fee established in Section 542.600(b)(2).  Where the crossroad is under local agency jurisdiction, trailblazer signs will not be required if legible signs with directional information are present advising motorists where to turn.  If such signs are not present, a business needing the signing will be allowed to participate in the program only if the business can arrange with the appropriate local agency for the erection and maintenance of such legible signs with directional information on all roads under the jurisdiction of the local agency.  This provision applies to those businesses that receive approval of their applications on or after January 1, 2012.

 

B)        A campground not on the crossroad can be signed on a freeway panel regardless of the number of turns required if legible signs with directional information are present advising motorists where to turn.  The Department will erect trailblazer signs along State-maintained highways for the fee established in Section 542.600(b)(2).

 

f)         No business will be allowed more than one space on an individual specific service panel; however, a business could qualify for a business sign on more than one type of panel; e.g., both food and lodging.

 

(Source:  Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 18905, effective October 26, 2011)

 

Section 542.450  Criteria for RV-friendly Symbol Signs (Repealed)

                                                                                     

(Source:  Repealed at 35 Ill. Reg. 18905, effective October 26, 2011)

 

Section 542.500  Panel and Sign Design

 

a)         Freeway Panel Design

 

1)         At single-exit interchanges, the type of service and the exit number shall be displayed in one line above the business signs in white legend ten inches in height on a blue background.

 

2)         At double-exit interchanges, the specific service panels shall consist of two sections, one for each exit.  The top section shall display the business signs for the first exit and the lower section shall display the business signs for the second exit.  The type of service and the exit number shall be displayed in a line above the business signs for each section.  Where all businesses of a type of service are at only one exit, the specific service panel will be displayed similarly to that for a single-exit interchange.

 

3)         When two types of services are combined on the same freeway panel, the higher priority service will be displayed above or to the left of the lower priority service.  When three types of services are combined on the same freeway panel, one of the following arrangements will be used:

 

A)        Service types arranged vertically with one service displayed on the top third of the panel, one service displayed on the middle third of the panel, and one service displayed on the bottom third of the panel. 

 

B)        Service types arranged horizontally with one service displayed on the left third of the panel, one service displayed on the middle third of the panel, and one service displayed on the right third of the panel. 

 

C)        The services will be displayed in priority order with the highest priority service listed at the top or to the left.

 

b)         Exit Ramp Panel Design

 

1)         Along exit ramps of single-exit interchanges, the business signs will be displayed in similar order to that on the freeway, except that those businesses to the motorists' left will have signs placed at the top of the panel and those to the right will be at the bottom.  Directional arrows will be shown on the panel by the Department.

 

2)         If used, exit ramp panels of double-exit interchanges are designed similar to those of single-exit interchanges, except without directional arrows.

 

3)         Services will be combined on exit ramp panels, similar to that provided in subsection (a)(3).

 

c)         Business Sign Design

 

1)         The business signs will be designed and supplied by the business to the Department.  These signs shall consist of the business' name, trademark, symbol, or combination thereof, providing it does not resemble any traffic sign, signal, or device.  The business' trademark, name, etc., must be the primary message on the sign and directly related to the type of service being accommodated on the specific service panel.  The business signs may also contain supplemental messages relating to the primary business, including credit cards honored by that business, ATM machines actually on the property that the business owns or leases, and messages such as "family restaurant", "buses welcome", "E85", "alternative fuels" and "diesel".  Logos or symbols identifying a second business or a supplementary service will not be allowed.  A business sign may also contain one supplemental word message directly relating to a second motorist service, including, but not limited to, "food mart" on a gas sign, "gas" on a lodging sign, or "restaurant" on a gas or lodging sign.  A business sign shall not display the symbol/trademark or name of more than one business.  Messages that are not related to motorist services, including, but not limited to, alcoholic beverages, area tourist attractions, dancing, lottery tickets, antiques, and vehicle sales will not be allowed as supplemental messages.  Food signs for establishments that are closed one day a week shall include a supplemental message including the day of closure.  The business sign may also contain one supplemental message identifying that the business is RV-friendly, subject to the following requirements:

 

A)        The entrance to and egress from the business establishment shall be hard surfaced, kept free of potholes and at least 12 feet wide with a minimum swing radius of 50 feet to enter and exit the facility.

 

B)        The entrance to and egress from the business establishment and the parking area shall be free of any electrical wires, tree branches, canopies or other obstructions up to 14 feet above the surface.

 

C)        Fueling facilities with canopies are required to have a 14-foot clearance, and those selling diesel fuel are required to have pumps with non-commercial nozzles.

 

D)        Fueling facilities must allow for pull-through with a swing radius of 50 feet.

 

E)        Restaurants and 24-hour pharmacies shall have a minimum of two RV spaces that are a minimum of 12 feet wide and 65 feet long with a minimum swing radius of 50 feet to enter and exit the spaces.

 

F)         Campgrounds shall have a minimum of two spaces that are a minimum of 18 feet wide and 45 feet long.

 

G)        Business establishments shall post signs on their sites directing motorists to RV-friendly parking spaces and other on-site RV-friendly services.

 

H)        The supplemental message shall either be "RV access" or "RV friendly".  It may also consist of an abbreviation "RV" in six inch black letters inside a 10" diameter yellow circle with a black border displayed within and near the lower right-hand corner of the business sign.

 

2)         Any supplemental messages must be an integral part of the business sign and not added as stickers or decals after the business sign has been installed.  Any signs that are tampered with by adding or deleting supplemental messages or by altering the name, logo, or symbol or any other portion of the message or design subsequent to their installation will be removed by the Department and the business must furnish new signs in addition to the $50 per sign reinstallation fee required by Section 542.600(b)(4).  Should the service indicated by a supplemental message be discontinued, the business must furnish new business signs without the discontinued message along with the $50 per sign reinstallation fee required by Section 542.600(b)(4) within 60 days after discontinuation of the service.  Covering over the message will not be allowed.  Supplemental messages may be omitted on ramp and trailblazer signs if the business desires. Signs shall be fabricated on an aluminum base material between .080 and .125 inches thick.  High-performance reflectorized background sheeting material shall be utilized for the signs.  The size of the signs to be placed on freeway panels, exit ramp panels, and trailblazer assemblies shall be as follows:

 

	GAS		FOOD, LODGING, CAMPING, 24-HR PHARMACY
	Width	Height	Width	Height
FREEWAY	48"	36"	60"	36"
EXIT RAMP	24"	18"	24"	18"
TRAILBLAZER	24"	18"	24"	18"

 

Business sign lettering, other than that which is part of a logo/trademark, shall be a minimum of 8" high on freeway signs and 4" high on ramp and trailblazer signs.  Supplemental message lettering shall be a minimum of 5" high on freeway signs and 2.5" high on ramp and trailblazer signs.

 

3)         In order to ensure that the signs meet all of the requirements of this Section, businesses shall furnish a sign design to the Department for approval within 30 calendar days after approval of their application.  If the sign design is not received by the Department within the 30 day time period, the space will be declared available.

 

4)         Any campground not open the entire year must have its opening and closing months shown on its freeway business signs, but is not required to have the months shown on the exit ramps.  This provision applies to those businesses who receive approval of their applications on or after January 1, 2012.

                                     

(Source:  Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 18905, effective October 26, 2011)

 

Section 542.600  Application, Fees, and Other Regulations

 

a)         Application

 

1)         As a freeway route is scheduled to have business logo signs displayed for the first time, the Department will publish in local newspapers a notice soliciting participation from businesses offering gas, food, lodging, camping, and a 24-hour pharmacy along that freeway.

 

2)         Application forms will be available from the Department (see Appendix B – District Offices and Counties for a listing of District addresses and phone numbers) for all businesses that could qualify to have business signs displayed on specific service panels.  If a business wishes to participate in this program, it must complete an application form for each specific service for which it wishes to sign and submit it to the Department by the deadline date indicated in the newspaper notice.  Applications received after the indicated date will be considered if space is still available on the freeway panels.

 

3)         Where the Department determines from the initial application that the business meets the criteria listed in this Part and space is available, the application will be approved and returned to the business along with instructions concerning the number and location of the business signs, the annual fee, and other appropriate information.

 

b)         Fees

 

1)         A $100 processing fee for each type of service signing requested by a business establishment must be submitted to the Department at the time the sign design is submitted for approval, as required by Section 542.500(c)(3).  A $100 processing fee will also be charged when a business reapplies for signing after its signs have been removed due to late rental payments, withdrawal from the program, or a business changing its name and its ownership at the same time, or for removal of Level 2 signs after 5 years of installation, as required under Section 542.400(d)(7).

 

2)         An annual rental fee sufficient to offset the cost of this program will be charged for each business sign displayed on a freeway panel, exit ramp panel, and trailblazer assembly.  The annual rental fees as of July 1, 2006 will be $200 for each business sign displayed on a freeway panel, $130 for each business sign displayed on an exit ramp panel, and $30 for each business sign displayed on a trailblazer assembly.  The Department will periodically adjust the fees to reflect the current cost of maintaining the signing system.  Fee adjustments are subject to rulemaking.  Fees will be collected on an annual basis.  When a business establishment makes an annual payment, it will be guaranteed usage of the paid space on the specific service panel for the entire year, as long as it meets the established criteria.  Any business closing or withdrawing from the program after making its annual payment will not be given a refund.  A prorated fee will be charged for signs erected for a partial year.

 

3)         Where payment is not received by the Department within 30 calendar days after the due date, the business signs will be removed by the Department.  Where receipt of payment is delinquent and a specific service panel is full, the business establishment will lose its signing priority to the next qualifying business desiring the space.  When the fee is received after the business sign is removed, and space is still available on the panel, a fee of $100 will be charged for reapplication as provided for in subsection  (b)(1), in addition to the annual fee for the remainder of the fiscal year, as well as that portion of the annual fee owed for the period of time between the end of the preceding fiscal year and the date the sign was removed.

 

4)         A fee of $50 for each business sign will be charged for a business requesting that its signs be replaced with new signs for any reason other than due to damage or vandalism as provided for in subsection (c)(1) of this Section.  Where such replacement is requested, all business signs for the specific business, including those on freeway and exit ramp panels, as well as any trailblazer signs, must be replaced at the same time.

 

c)         Placing and Maintaining Business Signs

 

1)         Businesses, at their expense, must supply their own business signs to the Department within 60 calendar days after approval of their design.  If the signs are not received by the Department within the 60 calendar day time period, the space will be declared available.  Only the Department will place, or cause to be placed, the business signs on the specific service panels and trailblazer assemblies.

 

2)         When a business sign is so deteriorated, damaged or vandalized that it needs replacement, the Department will notify its owner by certified mail to resubmit a logo design within 30 days after the notification.  The Department reserves the right to make the final determination of whether a business sign needs to be replaced.  Once the logo design is approved, the owner must supply the Department with the replacement sign within 60 days after the logo design approval.  There will be a fee of $50 for each sign replaced due to deterioration that has been installed less than 10 years.  There will be no charge for the replacement of a business sign that has been damaged or vandalized.  If a logo design is not received within the 30 day time period or a replacement sign is not received within the 60 day time period, the Department will remove all of the owner's business signs at the interchange and the business will lose its signing priority.

 

3)         Businesses will be required to certify on the application that they meet the established criteria.  When the Department receives a complaint that a business may not comply, the suspected business will be contacted by the Department to determine if it meets the established criteria.  If it is determined the business establishment fails to qualify, the business must change its operation within 30 calendar days after notification by the Department so as to comply or its business logos will be removed.

 

(Source:  Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 18905, effective October 26, 2011)

Section 542.APPENDIX A   DISTRICT BOUNDARY MAP (Repealed)

 

 

(Source:  Repealed at 30 Ill. Reg. 5650, effective March 10, 2006)

Section 542.APPENDIX B   District Offices and Counties

 

District 1	Bureau of Traffic 201 West Center Court Schaumburg IL 60196-1096 847/705-4411	Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will
District 2	Bureau of Operations 819 Depot Avenue Dixon IL 61021-3500 815-284-5395	Boone, Carroll, Henry, JoDaviess, Lee, Ogle, Rock Island, Stephenson, Winnebago and Whiteside
District 3	Bureau of Operations 700 East Norris Drive Ottawa IL 61350 815-434-8417	Bureau, DeKalb, Ford Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle and Livingston
District 4	Bureau of Operations 401 Main Peoria IL 61602 309/671-4460	Fulton, Henderson, Knox, Marshall, McDonough, Mercer, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, Tazewell, Warren and Woodford
District 5	Bureau of Operations 13473 IL Hwy. 133 P.O. Box 610 Paris IL 61944 217/466-7234	Champaign, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, McLean, Piatt and Vermilion
District 6	Bureau of Operations 126 East Ash Springfield IL 62704-4792 217/782-7314	Adams, Brown, Cass, Christian, Hancock, Logan, Macoupin, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler and Scott
District 7	Bureau of Operations 400 West Wabash Effingham IL 62401 217/342-8261	Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Lawrence, Macon, Moultrie, Richland, Shelby, Wabash and Wayne
District 8	Bureau of Operations 1102 EastPort Plaza Collinsville IL 62234 618/346-3250	Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Greene, Jersey, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Randolph, St.Clair and Washington
District 9	Bureau of Operations State Transportation Building 2801 W. Murphysboro P.O. Box 100 Carbondale IL 62903 618/351-5240	Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, White and Williamson

 

(Source:  Amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 8027, effective May 8, 2008)

 

Section 542.ILLUSTRATION A  Typical Signing for Single-Exit Interchanges (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 24 Ill. Reg. 12736, effective September 1, 2000)

 

Section 542.ILLUSTRATION B  Typical Signing for Double-Exit Interchanges (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 24 Ill. Reg. 12736, effective September 1, 2000)

 

Section 542.ILLUSTRATION C  Example Where an Existing Directional Sign Interferes with Normal Panel Spacing (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 24 Ill. Reg. 12736, effective September 1, 2000)

 

Section 542.ILLUSTRATION D  Example Where all Panels Cannot be Erected Ahead of the First Advance Guide Sign (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 24 Ill. Reg. 12736, effective September 1, 2000)

 

Section 542.ILLUSTRATION E  Example of Trailblazer Assembly (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 24 Ill. Reg. 12736, effective September 1, 2000)

 

Section 542.ILLUSTRATION F  Examples of Interstate Panels for Single-Exit Interchanges (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 24 Ill. Reg. 12736, effective September 1, 2000)

 

Section 542.ILLUSTRATION G  Examples of Interstate Panels for Double-Exit Interchanges (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 24 Ill. Reg. 12736, effective September 1, 2000)

 

Section 542.ILLUSTRATION H  Example of Two Services on One Interstate Panel (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 24 Ill. Reg. 12736, effective September 1, 2000)

 

Section 542.ILLUSTRATION I  Examples of Specific Service Panels Along a Single-Exit Interchange Exit Ramp (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 24 Ill. Reg. 12736, effective September 1, 2000)

 

Section 542.ILLUSTRATION J  Examples of Specific Service Panels Along a Double-Exit Interchange Exit Ramp (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 24 Ill. Reg. 12736, effective September 1, 2000)