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)