94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
SB1471

 

Introduced 2/23/2005, by Sen. J. Bradley Burzynski

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 5/15-111   from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-111
625 ILCS 5/15-111.1 new

    Provides that the Department of Transportation and local authorities may specify highways in their respective jurisdictions upon which loads of up to 120,000 pounds are allowed without a special permit. Creates an exception where a bridge or other elevated structure constitutes part of the highway. Effective immediately.


LRB094 11148 DRH 41782 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB1471 LRB094 11148 DRH 41782 b

1     AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing
5 Section 15-111 and by adding Section 15-111.1 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) On non-designated highways, except as provided in
9 Section 15-111.1, no vehicle or combination of vehicles
10 equipped with pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with
11 load, when the total weight transmitted to the road surface
12 exceeds 18,000 pounds on a single axle or 32,000 pounds on a
13 tandem axle with no axle within the tandem exceeding 18,000
14 pounds except:
15         (1) when a different limit is established and posted in
16     accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code;
17         (2) vehicles for which the Department of
18     Transportation and local authorities issue overweight
19     permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code;
20         (3) tow trucks subject to the conditions provided in
21     subsection (d) may not exceed 24,000 pounds on a single
22     rear axle or 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle;
23         (4) any single axle of a 2-axle truck weighing 36,000
24     pounds or less and not a part of a combination of vehicles,
25     shall not exceed 20,000 pounds;
26         (5) any single axle of a 2-axle truck equipped with a
27     personnel lift or digger derrick, weighing 36,000 pounds or
28     less, owned and operated by a public utility, shall not
29     exceed 20,000 pounds;
30         (6) any single axle of a 2-axle truck specially
31     equipped with a front loading compactor used exclusively
32     for garbage, refuse, or recycling may not exceed 20,000

 

 

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1     pounds per axle, provided that the gross weight of the
2     vehicle does not exceed 40,000 pounds;
3         (7) a truck, not in combination and specially equipped
4     with a selfcompactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and
5     roll-off container, used exclusively for garbage or refuse
6     operations may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface
7     the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single
8     axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle;
9         (8) a truck, not in combination and used exclusively
10     for the collection of rendering materials, may, when laden,
11     transmit upon the road surface the following maximum
12     weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
13     tandem axle;
14         (9) tandem axles on a 3-axle truck registered as a
15     Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in the
16     model year of 2014 and first registered in Illinois prior
17     to January 1, 2015, with a distance greater than 72 inches
18     but not more than 96 inches between any series of 2 axles,
19     is allowed a combined weight on the series not to exceed
20     36,000 pounds and neither axle of the series may exceed
21     18,000 pounds. Any vehicle of this type manufactured after
22     the model year of 2014 or first registered in Illinois
23     after December 31, 2014 may not exceed a combined weight of
24     32,000 pounds through the series of 2 axles and neither
25     axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds;
26         (10) tandem axles on a 4-axle truck mixer, whose fourth
27     axle is a road surface engaging mixer trailing axle,
28     registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively
29     for the mixing and transportation of concrete and
30     manufactured prior to or in the model year of 2014 and
31     first registered in Illinois prior to January 1, 2015, with
32     a distance greater than 72 inches but not more than 96
33     inches between any series of 2 axles, is allowed a combined
34     weight on the series not to exceed 36,000 pounds and
35     neither axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds. Any
36     vehicle of this type manufactured after the model year of

 

 

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1     2014 or first registered in Illinois after December 31,
2     2014 may not exceed a combined weight of 32,000 pounds
3     through the series of 2 axles and neither axle of the
4     series may exceed 18,000 pounds;
5         (11) 4-axle vehicles or a 5 or more axle combination of
6     vehicles: The weight transmitted upon the road surface
7     through any series of 3 axles whose centers are more than
8     96 inches apart, measured between extreme axles in the
9     series, may not exceed those allowed in the table contained
10     in subsection (f) of this Section. No axle or tandem axle
11     of the series may exceed the maximum weight permitted under
12     this Section for a single or tandem axle.
13     No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with other
14 than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with load,
15 upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on the
16 road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
17 width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
18 surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
19     (b) On non-designated highways, except as provided in
20 Section 15-111.1, the gross weight of vehicles and combination
21 of vehicles including the weight of the vehicle or combination
22 and its maximum load shall be subject to the foregoing
23 limitations and further shall not exceed the following gross
24 weights dependent upon the number of axles and distance between
25 extreme axles of the vehicle or combination measured
26 longitudinally to the nearest foot.
 
27 VEHICLES HAVING 2 AXLES ....................... 36,000 pounds
 
28
VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS
29 HAVING 3 AXLES
 
30With TandemWith or
31  AxlesWithout
32Tandem Axles
33MinimumMinimum
34distance toMaximumdistance toMaximum

 

 

SB1471 - 4 - LRB094 11148 DRH 41782 b

1nearest footGrossnearest footGross
2betweenWeightbetweenWeight
3extreme axles(pounds)extreme axles(pounds)
410 feet41,00016 feet46,000
51142,0001747,000
61243,0001847,500
71344,0001948,000
81444,5002049,000
91545,00021 feet or more50,000
10
11VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS HAVING 4 AXLES
12MinimumMinimum
13distance toMaximumdistance toMaximum
14nearest footGrossnearest footGross
15betweenWeightbetweenWeight
16extreme axles(pounds)extreme axles(pounds)
1715 feet50,00026 feet57,500
181650,5002758,000
191751,5002858,500
201852,0002959,500
211952,5003060,000
222053,5003160,500
232154,0003261,500
242254,5003362,000
252355,5003462,500
262456,0003563,500
272556,50036 feet or more64,000
28    A vehicle not in a combination having more than 4 axles may
29not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (b) for 4
30axles measured between the extreme axles of the vehicle.
31
32COMBINATIONS HAVING 5 OR MORE AXLES
33Minimum distance toMaximum
34nearest foot betweenGross Weight
35extreme axles(pounds)
3642 feet or less72,000

 

 

 

SB1471 - 5 - LRB094 11148 DRH 41782 b

14373,000
244 feet or more73,280
3 VEHICLES OPERATING ON CRAWLER TYPE TRACKS ..... 40,000 pounds
 
4
TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SELFCOMPACTORS
5 OR ROLL-OFF HOISTS AND ROLL-OFF CONTAINERS FOR GARBAGE
6 OR REFUSE HAULS ONLY AND TRUCKS USED FOR
7 THE COLLECTION OF RENDERING MATERIALS
8 On Highway Not Part of National System
9 of Interstate and Defense Highways
10 with 2 axles                                    36,000 pounds
11 with 3 axles                                    54,000 pounds
 
12
TWO AXLE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH
13 A FRONT LOADING COMPACTOR USED EXCLUSIVELY
14 FOR THE COLLECTION OF GARBAGE, REFUSE, OR RECYCLING
15 with 2 axles                                    40,000 pounds
 
16     (c) Cities having a population of more than 50,000 may
17 permit by ordinance axle loads on 2 axle motor vehicles 33 1/2%
18 above those provided for herein, but, except as provided in
19 Section 15-111.1, the increase shall not become effective until
20 the city has officially notified the Department of the passage
21 of the ordinance and shall not apply to those vehicles when
22 outside of the limits of the city, nor shall the gross weight
23 of any 2 axle motor vehicle operating over any street of the
24 city exceed 40,000 pounds.
25     (d) Weight limitations shall not apply to vehicles
26 (including loads) operated by a public utility when
27 transporting equipment required for emergency repair of public
28 utility facilities or properties or water wells.
29     A combination of vehicles, including a tow truck and a
30 disabled vehicle or disabled combination of vehicles, that
31 exceeds the weight restriction imposed by this Code, may be
32 operated on a public highway in this State provided that

 

 

SB1471 - 6 - LRB094 11148 DRH 41782 b

1 neither the disabled vehicle nor any vehicle being towed nor
2 the tow truck itself shall exceed the weight limitations
3 permitted under this Chapter. During the towing operation,
4 except as provided in Section 15-111.1, neither the tow truck
5 nor the vehicle combination shall exceed 24,000 pounds on a
6 single rear axle and 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle,
7 provided the towing vehicle:
8         (1) is specifically designed as a tow truck having a
9     gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds and
10     is equipped with air brakes, provided that air brakes are
11     required only if the towing vehicle is towing a vehicle,
12     semitrailer, or tractor-trailer combination that is
13     equipped with air brakes;
14         (2) is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
15     oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet in
16     all directions;
17         (3) is capable of utilizing the lighting and braking
18     systems of the disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles;
19     and
20         (4) does not engage in a tow exceeding 20 miles from
21     the initial point of wreck or disablement. Any additional
22     movement of the vehicles may occur only upon issuance of
23     authorization for that movement under the provisions of
24     Sections 15-301 through 15-319 of this Code. The towing
25     vehicle, however, may tow any disabled vehicle from the
26     initial point of wreck or disablement to a point where
27     repairs are actually to occur. This movement shall be valid
28     only on State routes. The tower must abide by posted bridge
29     weight limits.
30     Gross weight limits shall not apply to the combination of
31 the tow truck and vehicles being towed. The tow truck license
32 plate must cover the operating empty weight of the tow truck
33 only. The weight of each vehicle being towed shall be covered
34 by a valid license plate issued to the owner or operator of the
35 vehicle being towed and displayed on that vehicle. If no valid
36 plate issued to the owner or operator of that vehicle is

 

 

SB1471 - 7 - LRB094 11148 DRH 41782 b

1 displayed on that vehicle, or the plate displayed on that
2 vehicle does not cover the weight of the vehicle, the weight of
3 the vehicle shall be covered by the third tow truck plate
4 issued to the owner or operator of the tow truck and
5 temporarily affixed to the vehicle being towed.
6     The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
7 additional requirements. However, nothing in this Code shall
8 prohibit a tow truck under instructions of a police officer
9 from legally clearing a disabled vehicle, that may be in
10 violation of weight limitations of this Chapter, from the
11 roadway to the berm or shoulder of the highway. If in the
12 opinion of the police officer that location is unsafe, the
13 officer is authorized to have the disabled vehicle towed to the
14 nearest place of safety.
15     For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
16 rating, or GVWR, shall mean the value specified by the
17 manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
18     (e) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
19 pneumatic tires shall be operated, unladen or with load, upon
20 the highways of this State in violation of the provisions of
21 any permit issued under the provisions of Sections 15-301
22 through 15-319 of this Chapter.
23     (f) On designated Class I, II, or III highways and the
24 National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, except as
25 provided in Section 15-111.1, no vehicle or combination of
26 vehicles with pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with
27 load, when the total weight on the road surface exceeds the
28 following: 20,000 pounds on a single axle; 34,000 pounds on a
29 tandem axle with no axle within the tandem exceeding 20,000
30 pounds; 80,000 pounds gross weight for vehicle combinations of
31 5 or more axles; or a total weight on a group of 2 or more
32 consecutive axles in excess of that weight produced by the
33 application of the following formula: W = 500 times the sum of
34 (LN divided by N-1) + 12N + 36, where "W" equals overall total
35 weight on any group of 2 or more consecutive axles to the
36 nearest 500 pounds, "L" equals the distance measured to the

 

 

SB1471 - 8 - LRB094 11148 DRH 41782 b

1 nearest foot between extremes of any group of 2 or more
2 consecutive axles, and "N" equals the number of axles in the
3 group under consideration.
4     The above formula when expressed in tabular form results in
5 allowable loads as follows:
 
6 Distance measured
7 to the nearest
8 foot between the
9 extremes of any         Maximum weight in pounds
10 group of 2 or           of any group of
11 more consecutive        2 or more consecutive axles
12 axles
13feet2 axles3 axles4 axles5 axles6 axles
14434,000
15534,000
16634,000
17734,000
18838,000*42,000
19939,00042,500
201040,00043,500
211144,000
221245,00050,000
231345,50050,500
241446,50051,500
251547,00052,000
261648,00052,50058,000
271748,50053,50058,500
281849,50054,00059,000
291950,00054,50060,000
302051,00055,50060,50066,000
312151,50056,00061,00066,500
322252,50056,50061,50067,000
332353,00057,50062,50068,000
342454,00058,00063,00068,500
352554,50058,50063,50069,000
362655,50059,50064,00069,500
372756,00060,00065,00070,000
382857,00060,50065,50071,000
392957,50061,50066,00071,500
403058,50062,00066,50072,000
413159,00062,50067,50072,500
423260,00063,50068,00073,000
433364,00068,50074,000
443464,50069,00074,500
453565,50070,00075,000
463666,00070,50075,500
473766,50071,00076,000
483867,50072,00077,000
493968,00072,50077,500
504068,50073,00078,000
514169,50073,50078,500
524270,00074,00079,000
534370,50075,00080,000
544471,50075,500
554572,00076,000
564672,50076,500
574773,50077,500
584874,00078,000
594974,50078,500
605075,50079,000
615176,00080,000
625276,500
635377,500
645478,000
655578,500
665679,500
675780,000
33 *If the distance between 2 axles is 96 inches or less, the 2
34 axles are tandem axles and the maximum total weight may not
35 exceed 34,000 pounds, notwithstanding the higher limit
36 resulting from the application of the formula.

 

 

SB1471 - 10 - LRB094 11148 DRH 41782 b

1     Vehicles not in a combination having more than 4 axles may
2 not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (f) for 4
3 axles measured between the extreme axles of the vehicle.
4     Vehicles in a combination having more than 6 axles may not
5 exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (f) for 6
6 axles measured between the extreme axles of the combination.
7     Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
8 under their jurisdiction, without additional fees, may also by
9 ordinance or resolution allow the weight limitations of this
10 subsection, provided the maximum gross weight on any one axle
11 shall not exceed 20,000 pounds and the maximum total weight on
12 any tandem axle shall not exceed 34,000 pounds, on designated
13 highways when appropriate regulatory signs giving notice are
14 erected upon the street or highway or portion of any street or
15 highway affected by the ordinance or resolution.
16     The following are exceptions to the above formula:
17         (1) Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a
18     total weight of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance
19     between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of
20     tandem axles is 36 feet or more.
21         (2) Vehicles for which a different limit is established
22     and posted in accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code.
23         (3) Vehicles for which the Department of
24     Transportation and local authorities issue overweight
25     permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code.
26     These vehicles are not subject to the bridge formula.
27         (4) Tow trucks subject to the conditions provided in
28     subsection (d) may not exceed 24,000 pounds on a single
29     rear axle or 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle.
30         (5) A tandem axle on a 3-axle truck registered as a
31     Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in the
32     model year of 2014, and registered in Illinois prior to
33     January 1, 2015, with a distance between 2 axles in a
34     series greater than 72 inches but not more than 96 inches
35     may not exceed a total weight of 36,000 pounds and neither
36     axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds.

 

 

SB1471 - 11 - LRB094 11148 DRH 41782 b

1         (6) A truck not in combination, equipped with a self
2     compactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and roll-off
3     container, used exclusively for garbage or refuse
4     operations, may, when laden, transmit upon the road
5     surface, except when on part of the National System of
6     Interstate and Defense Highways, the following maximum
7     weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
8     tandem axle; 36,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle
9     vehicle; 54,000 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle.
10     This vehicle is not subject to the bridge formula.
11         (7) Combinations of vehicles, registered as Special
12     Hauling Vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured
13     prior to or in the model year of 2014, and registered in
14     Illinois prior to January 1, 2015, having 5 axles with a
15     distance of 42 feet or less between extreme axles, may not
16     exceed the following maximum weights: 18,000 pounds on a
17     single axle; 32,000 pounds on a tandem axle; and 72,000
18     pounds gross weight. This combination of vehicles is not
19     subject to the bridge formula. For all those combinations
20     of vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured after
21     the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd
22     General Assembly, the overall distance between the first
23     and last axles of the 2 sets of tandems must be 18 feet 6
24     inches or more. Any combination of vehicles that has had
25     its cargo container replaced in its entirety after December
26     31, 2014 may not exceed the weights allowed by the bridge
27     formula.
28     No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with other
29 than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with load,
30 upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on the
31 road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
32 width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
33 surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
34     (f-1) A vehicle and load not exceeding 73,280 pounds,
35 except as provided in Section 15-111.1, is allowed access as
36 follows:

 

 

SB1471 - 12 - LRB094 11148 DRH 41782 b

1         (1) From any State designated highway onto any county,
2     township, or municipal highway for a distance of 5 highway
3     miles for the purpose of loading and unloading, provided:
4             (A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 8 feet 6
5         inches in width and 65 feet overall length.
6             (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
7             (C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare
8         between State designated highways.
9         (2) From any State designated highway onto any county
10     or township highway for a distance of 5 highway miles, or
11     any municipal highway for a distance of one highway mile
12     for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs, and rest, provided:
13             (A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 8 feet 6
14         inches in width and 65 feet overall length.
15             (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
16             (C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare
17         between State designated highways.
18     (f-2) A vehicle and load greater than 73,280 pounds in
19 weight but not exceeding 80,000 pounds, except as provided in
20 Section 15-111.1, is allowed access as follows:
21         (1) From a Class I highway onto any street or highway
22     for a distance of one highway mile for the purpose of
23     loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest,
24     provided there is no sign prohibiting that access.
25         (2) From a Class I, II, or III highway onto any State
26     highway or any local designated highway for a distance of 5
27     highway miles for the purpose of loading, unloading, food,
28     fuel, repairs, and rest.
29     Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
30 relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
31 designation of highways under this subsection.
32     (g) No person shall operate a vehicle or combination of
33 vehicles over a bridge or other elevated structure constituting
34 part of a highway with a gross weight that is greater than the
35 maximum weight permitted by the Department, when the structure
36 is sign posted as provided in this Section.

 

 

SB1471 - 13 - LRB094 11148 DRH 41782 b

1     (h) The Department upon request from any local authority
2 shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation
3 of any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part
4 of a highway, and if it finds that the structure cannot with
5 safety to itself withstand the weight of vehicles otherwise
6 permissible under this Code the Department shall determine and
7 declare the maximum weight of vehicles that the structures can
8 withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating
9 maximum weight to be erected and maintained before each end of
10 the structure. No person shall operate a vehicle or combination
11 of vehicles over any structure with a gross weight that is
12 greater than the posted maximum weight.
13     (i) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation
14 of subsections (g) or (h) of this Section, proof of the
15 determination of the maximum allowable weight by the Department
16 and the existence of the signs, constitutes conclusive evidence
17 of the maximum weight that can be maintained with safety to the
18 bridge or structure.
19 (Source: P.A. 92-417, eff. 1-1-02; 93-177, eff. 7-11-03;
20 93-186, eff. 1-1-04; 93-1023, eff. 8-25-04.)
 
21     (625 ILCS 5/15-111.1 new)
22     Sec. 15-111.1. Higher load limits on highways specified by
23 the Department or local authorities. Except as provided in
24 subsections (g) and (h) of Section 15-111, the Department and
25 local authorities may, within their respective jurisdictions,
26 specify certain roadways upon which loads of a gross weight not
27 exceeding 120,000 pounds are allowed without a special permit.
 
28     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
29 becoming law.