99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB2987

 

Introduced 2/18/2016, by Sen. John M. Sullivan

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 5/15-111  from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-111

    Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a vehicle or combination of vehicles that uses natural gas or propane gas as a motor fuel may exceed its gross weight limitation by 2,000 pounds on any road except for highways or structures with posted weight limits (previously, no exceeded weights permitted on interstate highways).


LRB099 19610 AXK 44005 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2987LRB099 19610 AXK 44005 b

1    AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing
5Section 15-111 as follows:
 
6    (625 ILCS 5/15-111)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-111)
7    Sec. 15-111. Wheel and axle loads and gross weights.
8    (a) No vehicle or combination of vehicles with pneumatic
9tires may be operated, unladen or with load, when the total
10weight on the road surface exceeds the following: 20,000 pounds
11on a single axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle
12within the tandem exceeding 20,000 pounds; 80,000 pounds gross
13weight for vehicle combinations of 5 or more axles; or a total
14weight on a group of 2 or more consecutive axles in excess of
15that weight produced by the application of the following
16formula: W = 500 times the sum of (LN divided by N-1) + 12N +
1736, where "W" equals overall total weight on any group of 2 or
18more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds, "L" equals
19the distance measured to the nearest foot between extremes of
20any group of 2 or more consecutive axles, and "N" equals the
21number of axles in the group under consideration.
22    The above formula when expressed in tabular form results in
23allowable loads as follows:
 

 

 

SB2987- 2 -LRB099 19610 AXK 44005 b

1Distance measured
2to the nearest
3foot between the
4extremes of any         Maximum weight in pounds
5group of 2 or           of any group of
6more consecutive        2 or more consecutive axles
7axles
8feet2 axles3 axles4 axles5 axles6 axles
9434,000
10534,000
11634,000
12734,000
13838,000*42,000
14939,00042,500
151040,00043,500
161144,000
171245,00050,000
181345,50050,500
191446,50051,500
201547,00052,000
211648,00052,50058,000
221748,50053,50058,500
231849,50054,00059,000
241950,00054,50060,000
252051,00055,50060,50066,000

 

 

SB2987- 3 -LRB099 19610 AXK 44005 b

12151,50056,00061,00066,500
22252,50056,50061,50067,000
32353,00057,50062,50068,000
42454,00058,00063,00068,500
52554,50058,50063,50069,000
62655,50059,50064,00069,500
72756,00060,00065,00070,000
82857,00060,50065,50071,000
92957,50061,50066,00071,500
103058,50062,00066,50072,000
113159,00062,50067,50072,500
123260,00063,50068,00073,000
133364,00068,50074,000
143464,50069,00074,500
153565,50070,00075,000
163666,00070,50075,500
173766,50071,00076,000
183867,50072,00077,000
193968,00072,50077,500
204068,50073,00078,000
214169,50073,50078,500
224270,00074,00079,000
234370,50075,00080,000
244471,50075,500
254572,00076,000
264672,50076,500

 

 

SB2987- 4 -LRB099 19610 AXK 44005 b

14773,50077,500
24874,00078,000
34974,50078,500
45075,50079,000
55176,00080,000
65276,500
75377,500
85478,000
95578,500
105679,500
115780,000
12*If the distance between 2 axles is 96 inches or less, the 2
13axles are tandem axles and the maximum total weight may not
14exceed 34,000 pounds, notwithstanding the higher limit
15resulting from the application of the formula.
16    Vehicles not in a combination having more than 4 axles may
17not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (a) for 4
18axles measured between the extreme axles of the vehicle.
19    Vehicles in a combination having more than 6 axles may not
20exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (a) for 6
21axles measured between the extreme axles of the combination.
22    Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
23under their jurisdiction, without additional fees, may also by
24ordinance or resolution allow the weight limitations of this
25subsection, provided the maximum gross weight on any one axle
26shall not exceed 20,000 pounds and the maximum total weight on

 

 

SB2987- 5 -LRB099 19610 AXK 44005 b

1any tandem axle shall not exceed 34,000 pounds, on designated
2highways when appropriate regulatory signs giving notice are
3erected upon the street or highway or portion of any street or
4highway affected by the ordinance or resolution.
5    The following are exceptions to the above formula:
6        (1) Vehicles for which a different limit is established
7    and posted in accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code.
8        (2) Vehicles for which the Department of
9    Transportation and local authorities issue overweight
10    permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code.
11    These vehicles are not subject to the bridge formula.
12        (3) Cities having a population of more than 50,000 may
13    permit by ordinance axle loads on 2-axle motor vehicles 33
14    1/2% above those provided for herein, but the increase
15    shall not become effective until the city has officially
16    notified the Department of the passage of the ordinance and
17    shall not apply to those vehicles when outside of the
18    limits of the city, nor shall the gross weight of any
19    2-axle motor vehicle operating over any street of the city
20    exceed 40,000 pounds.
21        (4) Weight limitations shall not apply to vehicles
22    (including loads) operated by a public utility when
23    transporting equipment required for emergency repair of
24    public utility facilities or properties or water wells.
25        (4.5) A 3-axle or 4-axle vehicle (including when laden)
26    operated or hired by a municipality within Cook, Lake,

 

 

SB2987- 6 -LRB099 19610 AXK 44005 b

1    McHenry, Kane, DuPage, or Will county being operated for
2    the purpose of performing emergency sewer repair that would
3    be subject to a weight limitation less than 66,000 pounds
4    under the formula in this subsection (a) shall have a
5    weight limitation of 66,000 pounds or the vehicle's gross
6    vehicle weight rating, whichever is less. This paragraph
7    (4.5) does not apply to vehicles being operated on the
8    National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, or to
9    vehicles being operated on bridges or other elevated
10    structures constituting a part of a highway.
11        (5) Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a
12    total weight of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance
13    between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of
14    tandem axles is 36 feet or more, notwithstanding the lower
15    limit resulting from the application of the above formula.
16        (6) A truck, not in combination and used exclusively
17    for the collection of rendering materials, may, when laden,
18    transmit upon the road surface, except when on part of the
19    National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, the
20    following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle;
21    40,000 pounds on a tandem axle.
22        (7) A truck not in combination, equipped with a self
23    compactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and roll-off
24    container, used exclusively for garbage, refuse, or
25    recycling operations, may, when laden, transmit upon the
26    road surface, except when on part of the National System of

 

 

SB2987- 7 -LRB099 19610 AXK 44005 b

1    Interstate and Defense Highways, the following maximum
2    weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
3    tandem axle; 40,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle
4    vehicle; 54,000 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle.
5    This vehicle is not subject to the bridge formula.
6        (7.5) A 3-axle rear discharge truck mixer registered as
7    a Special Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the mixing
8    and transportation of concrete in the plastic state, may,
9    when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except when on
10    part of the National System of Interstate and Defense
11    Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on
12    single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle; 54,000 pounds
13    gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle. This vehicle is not
14    subject to the bridge formula.
15        (8) Except as provided in paragraph (7.5) of this
16    subsection (a), tandem axles on a 3-axle truck registered
17    as a Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in
18    the model year of 2024 and first registered in Illinois
19    prior to January 1, 2025, with a distance greater than 72
20    inches but not more than 96 inches between any series of 2
21    axles, is allowed a combined weight on the series not to
22    exceed 36,000 pounds and neither axle of the series may
23    exceed 20,000 pounds. Any vehicle of this type manufactured
24    after the model year of 2024 or first registered in
25    Illinois after December 31, 2024 may not exceed a combined
26    weight of 34,000 pounds through the series of 2 axles and

 

 

SB2987- 8 -LRB099 19610 AXK 44005 b

1    neither axle of the series may exceed 20,000 pounds.
2        A 3-axle combination sewer cleaning jetting vacuum
3    truck registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle, used
4    exclusively for the transportation of non-hazardous solid
5    waste, manufactured before or in the model year of 2014,
6    first registered in Illinois before January 1, 2015, may,
7    when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except when on
8    part of the National System of Interstate and Defense
9    Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a
10    single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle; 54,000 pounds
11    gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle. This vehicle is not
12    subject to the bridge formula.
13        (9) A 4-axle truck mixer registered as a Special
14    Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the mixing and
15    transportation of concrete in the plastic state, and not
16    operated on a highway that is part of the National System
17    of Interstate Highways, is allowed the following maximum
18    weights: 20,000 pounds on any single axle; 36,000 pounds on
19    a series of axles greater than 72 inches but not more than
20    96 inches; and 34,000 pounds on any series of 2 axles
21    greater than 40 inches but not more than 72 inches. The
22    gross weight of this vehicle may not exceed the weights
23    allowed by the bridge formula for 4 axles. The bridge
24    formula does not apply to any series of 3 axles while the
25    vehicle is transporting concrete in the plastic state, but
26    no axle or tandem axle of the series may exceed the maximum

 

 

SB2987- 9 -LRB099 19610 AXK 44005 b

1    weight permitted under this paragraph (9) of subsection
2    (a).
3        (10) Combinations of vehicles, registered as Special
4    Hauling Vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured
5    prior to or in the model year of 2024, and registered in
6    Illinois prior to January 1, 2025, having 5 axles with a
7    distance of 42 feet or less between extreme axles, may not
8    exceed the following maximum weights: 20,000 pounds on a
9    single axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle; and 72,000
10    pounds gross weight. This combination of vehicles is not
11    subject to the bridge formula. For all those combinations
12    of vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured after
13    the effective date of P.A. 92-0417, the overall distance
14    between the first and last axles of the 2 sets of tandems
15    must be 18 feet 6 inches or more. Any combination of
16    vehicles that has had its cargo container replaced in its
17    entirety after December 31, 2024 may not exceed the weights
18    allowed by the bridge formula.
19        (11) The maximum weight allowed on a vehicle with
20    crawler type tracks is 40,000 pounds.
21        (12) A combination of vehicles, including a tow truck
22    and a disabled vehicle or disabled combination of vehicles,
23    that exceeds the weight restriction imposed by this Code,
24    may be operated on a public highway in this State provided
25    that neither the disabled vehicle nor any vehicle being
26    towed nor the tow truck itself shall exceed the weight

 

 

SB2987- 10 -LRB099 19610 AXK 44005 b

1    limitations permitted under this Chapter. During the
2    towing operation, neither the tow truck nor the vehicle
3    combination shall exceed 24,000 pounds on a single rear
4    axle and 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle, provided the
5    towing vehicle:
6            (i) is specifically designed as a tow truck having
7        a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds
8        and is equipped with air brakes, provided that air
9        brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is
10        towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer
11        combination that is equipped with air brakes;
12            (ii) is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
13        oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet
14        in all directions;
15            (iii) is capable of utilizing the lighting and
16        braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination
17        of vehicles; and
18            (iv) does not engage in a tow exceeding 20 miles
19        from the initial point of wreck or disablement. Any
20        additional movement of the vehicles may occur only upon
21        issuance of authorization for that movement under the
22        provisions of Sections 15-301 through 15-319 of this
23        Code. The towing vehicle, however, may tow any disabled
24        vehicle to a point where repairs are actually to occur.
25        This movement shall be valid only on State routes. The
26        tower must abide by posted bridge weight limits.

 

 

SB2987- 11 -LRB099 19610 AXK 44005 b

1        (13) Upon and during a declaration of an emergency
2    propane supply disaster by the Governor under Section 7 of
3    the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act:
4            (i) a truck not in combination, equipped with a
5        cargo tank, used exclusively for the transportation of
6        propane or liquefied petroleum gas may, when laden,
7        transmit upon the road surface, except when on part of
8        the National System of Interstate and Defense
9        Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds
10        on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle;
11        40,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle vehicle; 54,000
12        pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle; and
13            (ii) a truck when in combination with a trailer
14        equipped with a cargo tank used exclusively for the
15        transportation of propane or liquefied petroleum gas
16        may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except
17        when on part of the National System of Interstate and
18        Defense Highways, the following maximum weights:
19        22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
20        tandem axle; 90,000 pounds gross weight on a 5-axle or
21        6-axle vehicle.
22        Vehicles operating under this paragraph (13) are not
23    subject to the bridge formula.
24        (14) A vehicle or combination of vehicles that uses
25    natural gas or propane gas as a motor fuel may exceed the
26    above weight limitations by 2,000 pounds, except on

 

 

SB2987- 12 -LRB099 19610 AXK 44005 b

1    interstate highways as defined by Section 1-133.1 of this
2    Code. This paragraph (14) shall not allow a vehicle to
3    exceed any posted weight limit on a highway or structure.
4    Gross weight limits shall not apply to the combination of
5the tow truck and vehicles being towed. The tow truck license
6plate must cover the operating empty weight of the tow truck
7only. The weight of each vehicle being towed shall be covered
8by a valid license plate issued to the owner or operator of the
9vehicle being towed and displayed on that vehicle. If no valid
10plate issued to the owner or operator of that vehicle is
11displayed on that vehicle, or the plate displayed on that
12vehicle does not cover the weight of the vehicle, the weight of
13the vehicle shall be covered by the third tow truck plate
14issued to the owner or operator of the tow truck and
15temporarily affixed to the vehicle being towed. If a roll-back
16carrier is registered and being used as a tow truck, however,
17the license plate or plates for the tow truck must cover the
18gross vehicle weight, including any load carried on the bed of
19the roll-back carrier.
20    The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
21additional requirements. However, nothing in this Code shall
22prohibit a tow truck under instructions of a police officer
23from legally clearing a disabled vehicle, that may be in
24violation of weight limitations of this Chapter, from the
25roadway to the berm or shoulder of the highway. If in the
26opinion of the police officer that location is unsafe, the

 

 

SB2987- 13 -LRB099 19610 AXK 44005 b

1officer is authorized to have the disabled vehicle towed to the
2nearest place of safety.
3    For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
4rating, or GVWR, means the value specified by the manufacturer
5as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
6    (b) As used in this Section, "recycling haul" or "recycling
7operation" means the hauling of non-hazardous, non-special,
8non-putrescible materials, such as paper, glass, cans, or
9plastic, for subsequent use in the secondary materials market.
10    (c) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
11pneumatic tires shall be operated, unladen or with load, upon
12the highways of this State in violation of the provisions of
13any permit issued under the provisions of Sections 15-301
14through 15-319 of this Chapter.
15    (d) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
16other than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with
17load, upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on
18the road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
19width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
20surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
21    (e) No person shall operate a vehicle or combination of
22vehicles over a bridge or other elevated structure constituting
23part of a highway with a gross weight that is greater than the
24maximum weight permitted by the Department, when the structure
25is sign posted as provided in this Section.
26    (f) The Department upon request from any local authority

 

 

SB2987- 14 -LRB099 19610 AXK 44005 b

1shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation
2of any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part
3of a highway, and if it finds that the structure cannot with
4safety to itself withstand the weight of vehicles otherwise
5permissible under this Code the Department shall determine and
6declare the maximum weight of vehicles that the structures can
7withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating
8maximum weight to be erected and maintained before each end of
9the structure. No person shall operate a vehicle or combination
10of vehicles over any structure with a gross weight that is
11greater than the posted maximum weight.
12    (g) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation
13of subsection (e) or (f) of this Section, proof of the
14determination of the maximum allowable weight by the Department
15and the existence of the signs, constitutes conclusive evidence
16of the maximum weight that can be maintained with safety to the
17bridge or structure.
18(Source: P.A. 98-409, eff. 1-1-14; 98-410, eff. 8-16-13;
1998-756, eff. 7-16-14; 98-942, eff. 1-1-15; 98-956, eff. 1-1-15;
2098-1029, eff. 1-1-15; 99-78, eff. 7-20-15.)