Bill Text: IL HB2492 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Enrolled

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Code Chapter governing size, weight, and load of vehicles does not apply to fire apparatus or authorized emergency vehicles owned or operated by any governmental body or not-for-profit fire protection service organization or agency. Removes a provision providing that an emergency vehicle may not exceed 86,000 pounds gross weight or other listed weights.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-08-25 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 100-0366 [HB2492 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-HB2492-Enrolled.html



HB2492 EnrolledLRB100 05993 AXK 16022 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
5Sections 15-101 and 15-111 as follows:
6 (625 ILCS 5/15-101) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-101)
7 Sec. 15-101. Scope and effect of Chapter 15.
8 (a) It is unlawful for any person to drive or move on, upon
9or across or for the owner to cause or knowingly permit to be
10driven or moved on, upon or across any highway any vehicle or
11vehicles of a size and weight exceeding the limitations stated
12in this Chapter or otherwise in violation of this Chapter, and
13the maximum size and weight of vehicles herein specified shall
14be lawful throughout this State, and local authorities shall
15have no power or authority to alter such limitations except as
16express authority may be granted in this Chapter.
17 (b) The provisions of this Chapter governing size, weight,
18and load do not apply to equipment for snow and ice removal
19operations owned or operated by any governmental body, or to
20implements of husbandry, as defined in Chapter 1 of this Code,
21temporarily operated or towed in a combination upon a highway
22provided such combination does not consist of more than 3
23vehicles or, in the case of hauling fresh, perishable fruits or

HB2492 Enrolled- 2 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b
1vegetables from farm to the point of first processing, not more
2than 3 wagons being towed by an implement of husbandry, or to a
3vehicle operated under the terms of a special permit issued
4hereunder. Except for weight limits on Class I highways under
5this Chapter, the The provisions of this Chapter governing
6size, weight, and load do not apply to fire apparatus or
7emergency vehicles.
8 (c) The provisions of this Chapter governing size, weight,
9and load do not apply to any snow and ice removal equipment
10that is no more than 12 feet in width, if the equipment
11displays flags at least 18 inches square mounted on the
12driver's side of the snow plow.
13 These vehicles must be equipped with an illuminated
14rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber light or lights, or a
15flashing amber strobe light or lights, mounted on the top of
16the cab and of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet
17in normal sunlight. If the load on the transport vehicle blocks
18the visibility of the amber lighting from the rear of the
19vehicle, the vehicle must also be equipped with an illuminated
20rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber light or lights, or a
21flashing amber strobe light or lights, mounted on the rear of
22the load and of sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet
23in normal sunlight.
24(Source: P.A. 99-717, eff. 8-5-16.)
25 (625 ILCS 5/15-111) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-111)

HB2492 Enrolled- 3 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b
1 Sec. 15-111. Wheel and axle loads and gross weights.
2 (a) No vehicle or combination of vehicles with pneumatic
3tires may be operated, unladen or with load, when the total
4weight on the road surface exceeds the following: 20,000 pounds
5on a single axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle with no axle
6within the tandem exceeding 20,000 pounds; 80,000 pounds gross
7weight for vehicle combinations of 5 or more axles; or a total
8weight on a group of 2 or more consecutive axles in excess of
9that weight produced by the application of the following
10formula: W = 500 times the sum of (LN divided by N-1) + 12N +
1136, where "W" equals overall total weight on any group of 2 or
12more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds, "L" equals
13the distance measured to the nearest foot between extremes of
14any group of 2 or more consecutive axles, and "N" equals the
15number of axles in the group under consideration.
16 The above formula when expressed in tabular form results in
17allowable loads as follows:
18Distance measured
19to the nearest
20foot between the
21extremes of any Maximum weight in pounds
22group of 2 or of any group of
23more consecutive 2 or more consecutive axles
24axles
25feet2 axles3 axles4 axles5 axles6 axles

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1434,000
2534,000
3634,000
4734,000
5838,000*42,000
6939,00042,500
71040,00043,500
81144,000
91245,00050,000
101345,50050,500
111446,50051,500
121547,00052,000
131648,00052,50058,000
141748,50053,50058,500
151849,50054,00059,000
161950,00054,50060,000
172051,00055,50060,50066,000
182151,50056,00061,00066,500
192252,50056,50061,50067,000
202353,00057,50062,50068,000
212454,00058,00063,00068,500
222554,50058,50063,50069,000
232655,50059,50064,00069,500
242756,00060,00065,00070,000
252857,00060,50065,50071,000
262957,50061,50066,00071,500

HB2492 Enrolled- 5 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b
13058,50062,00066,50072,000
23159,00062,50067,50072,500
33260,00063,50068,00073,000
43364,00068,50074,000
53464,50069,00074,500
63565,50070,00075,000
73666,00070,50075,500
83766,50071,00076,000
93867,50072,00077,000
103968,00072,50077,500
114068,50073,00078,000
124169,50073,50078,500
134270,00074,00079,000
144370,50075,00080,000
154471,50075,500
164572,00076,000
174672,50076,500
184773,50077,500
194874,00078,000
204974,50078,500
215075,50079,000
225176,00080,000
235276,500
245377,500
255478,000
265578,500

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15679,500
25780,000
3*If the distance between 2 axles is 96 inches or less, the 2
4axles are tandem axles and the maximum total weight may not
5exceed 34,000 pounds, notwithstanding the higher limit
6resulting from the application of the formula.
7 Vehicles not in a combination having more than 4 axles may
8not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (a) for 4
9axles measured between the extreme axles of the vehicle.
10 Vehicles in a combination having more than 6 axles may not
11exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (a) for 6
12axles measured between the extreme axles of the combination.
13 Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
14under their jurisdiction, without additional fees, may also by
15ordinance or resolution allow the weight limitations of this
16subsection, provided the maximum gross weight on any one axle
17shall not exceed 20,000 pounds and the maximum total weight on
18any tandem axle shall not exceed 34,000 pounds, on designated
19highways when appropriate regulatory signs giving notice are
20erected upon the street or highway or portion of any street or
21highway affected by the ordinance or resolution.
22 The following are exceptions to the above formula:
23 (1) Vehicles for which a different limit is established
24 and posted in accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code.
25 (2) Vehicles for which the Department of
26 Transportation and local authorities issue overweight

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1 permits under authority of Section 15-301 of this Code.
2 These vehicles are not subject to the bridge formula.
3 (3) Cities having a population of more than 50,000 may
4 permit by ordinance axle loads on 2-axle motor vehicles 33
5 1/2% above those provided for herein, but the increase
6 shall not become effective until the city has officially
7 notified the Department of the passage of the ordinance and
8 shall not apply to those vehicles when outside of the
9 limits of the city, nor shall the gross weight of any
10 2-axle motor vehicle operating over any street of the city
11 exceed 40,000 pounds.
12 (4) Weight limitations shall not apply to vehicles
13 (including loads) operated by a public utility when
14 transporting equipment required for emergency repair of
15 public utility facilities or properties or water wells.
16 (4.5) A 3-axle or 4-axle vehicle (including when laden)
17 operated or hired by a municipality within Cook, Lake,
18 McHenry, Kane, DuPage, or Will county being operated for
19 the purpose of performing emergency sewer repair that would
20 be subject to a weight limitation less than 66,000 pounds
21 under the formula in this subsection (a) shall have a
22 weight limitation of 66,000 pounds or the vehicle's gross
23 vehicle weight rating, whichever is less. This paragraph
24 (4.5) does not apply to vehicles being operated on the
25 National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, or to
26 vehicles being operated on bridges or other elevated

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1 structures constituting a part of a highway.
2 (5) Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a
3 total weight of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance
4 between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of
5 tandem axles is 36 feet or more, notwithstanding the lower
6 limit resulting from the application of the above formula.
7 (6) A truck, not in combination and used exclusively
8 for the collection of rendering materials, may, when laden,
9 transmit upon the road surface, except when on part of the
10 National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, the
11 following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle;
12 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle.
13 (7) A truck not in combination, equipped with a self
14 compactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and roll-off
15 container, used exclusively for garbage, refuse, or
16 recycling operations, may, when laden, transmit upon the
17 road surface, except when on part of the National System of
18 Interstate and Defense Highways, the following maximum
19 weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
20 tandem axle; 40,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle
21 vehicle; 54,000 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle.
22 This vehicle is not subject to the bridge formula.
23 (7.5) A 3-axle rear discharge truck mixer registered as
24 a Special Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the mixing
25 and transportation of concrete in the plastic state, may,
26 when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except when on

HB2492 Enrolled- 9 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b
1 part of the National System of Interstate and Defense
2 Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on
3 single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle; 54,000 pounds
4 gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle. This vehicle is not
5 subject to the bridge formula.
6 (8) Except as provided in paragraph (7.5) of this
7 subsection (a), tandem axles on a 3-axle truck registered
8 as a Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in
9 the model year of 2024 and first registered in Illinois
10 prior to January 1, 2025, with a distance greater than 72
11 inches but not more than 96 inches between any series of 2
12 axles, is allowed a combined weight on the series not to
13 exceed 36,000 pounds and neither axle of the series may
14 exceed 20,000 pounds. Any vehicle of this type manufactured
15 after the model year of 2024 or first registered in
16 Illinois after December 31, 2024 may not exceed a combined
17 weight of 34,000 pounds through the series of 2 axles and
18 neither axle of the series may exceed 20,000 pounds.
19 A 3-axle combination sewer cleaning jetting vacuum
20 truck registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle, used
21 exclusively for the transportation of non-hazardous solid
22 waste, manufactured before or in the model year of 2014,
23 first registered in Illinois before January 1, 2015, may,
24 when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except when on
25 part of the National System of Interstate and Defense
26 Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a

HB2492 Enrolled- 10 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b
1 single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle; 54,000 pounds
2 gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle. This vehicle is not
3 subject to the bridge formula.
4 (9) A 4-axle truck mixer registered as a Special
5 Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the mixing and
6 transportation of concrete in the plastic state, and not
7 operated on a highway that is part of the National System
8 of Interstate Highways, is allowed the following maximum
9 weights: 20,000 pounds on any single axle; 36,000 pounds on
10 a series of axles greater than 72 inches but not more than
11 96 inches; and 34,000 pounds on any series of 2 axles
12 greater than 40 inches but not more than 72 inches. The
13 gross weight of this vehicle may not exceed the weights
14 allowed by the bridge formula for 4 axles. The bridge
15 formula does not apply to any series of 3 axles while the
16 vehicle is transporting concrete in the plastic state, but
17 no axle or tandem axle of the series may exceed the maximum
18 weight permitted under this paragraph (9) of subsection
19 (a).
20 (10) Combinations of vehicles, registered as Special
21 Hauling Vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured
22 prior to or in the model year of 2024, and registered in
23 Illinois prior to January 1, 2025, having 5 axles with a
24 distance of 42 feet or less between extreme axles, may not
25 exceed the following maximum weights: 20,000 pounds on a
26 single axle; 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle; and 72,000

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1 pounds gross weight. This combination of vehicles is not
2 subject to the bridge formula. For all those combinations
3 of vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured after
4 the effective date of P.A. 92-0417, the overall distance
5 between the first and last axles of the 2 sets of tandems
6 must be 18 feet 6 inches or more. Any combination of
7 vehicles that has had its cargo container replaced in its
8 entirety after December 31, 2024 may not exceed the weights
9 allowed by the bridge formula.
10 (11) The maximum weight allowed on a vehicle with
11 crawler type tracks is 40,000 pounds.
12 (12) A combination of vehicles, including a tow truck
13 and a disabled vehicle or disabled combination of vehicles,
14 that exceeds the weight restriction imposed by this Code,
15 may be operated on a public highway in this State provided
16 that neither the disabled vehicle nor any vehicle being
17 towed nor the tow truck itself shall exceed the weight
18 limitations permitted under this Chapter. During the
19 towing operation, neither the tow truck nor the vehicle
20 combination shall exceed 24,000 pounds on a single rear
21 axle and 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle, provided the
22 towing vehicle:
23 (i) is specifically designed as a tow truck having
24 a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 pounds
25 and is equipped with air brakes, provided that air
26 brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is

HB2492 Enrolled- 12 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b
1 towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer
2 combination that is equipped with air brakes;
3 (ii) is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
4 oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet
5 in all directions;
6 (iii) is capable of utilizing the lighting and
7 braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination
8 of vehicles; and
9 (iv) does not engage in a tow exceeding 20 miles
10 from the initial point of wreck or disablement. Any
11 additional movement of the vehicles may occur only upon
12 issuance of authorization for that movement under the
13 provisions of Sections 15-301 through 15-319 of this
14 Code. The towing vehicle, however, may tow any disabled
15 vehicle to a point where repairs are actually to occur.
16 This movement shall be valid only on State routes. The
17 tower must abide by posted bridge weight limits.
18 (12.5) The vehicle weight limitations in this Section
19 do not apply to a covered heavy duty tow and recovery
20 vehicle. The covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicle
21 license plate must cover the operating empty weight of the
22 covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicle only.
23 (13) Upon and during a declaration of an emergency
24 propane supply disaster by the Governor under Section 7 of
25 the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act:
26 (i) a truck not in combination, equipped with a

HB2492 Enrolled- 13 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b
1 cargo tank, used exclusively for the transportation of
2 propane or liquefied petroleum gas may, when laden,
3 transmit upon the road surface, except when on part of
4 the National System of Interstate and Defense
5 Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds
6 on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle;
7 40,000 pounds gross weight on a 2-axle vehicle; 54,000
8 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle; and
9 (ii) a truck when in combination with a trailer
10 equipped with a cargo tank used exclusively for the
11 transportation of propane or liquefied petroleum gas
12 may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except
13 when on part of the National System of Interstate and
14 Defense Highways, the following maximum weights:
15 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
16 tandem axle; 90,000 pounds gross weight on a 5-axle or
17 6-axle vehicle.
18 Vehicles operating under this paragraph (13) are not
19 subject to the bridge formula.
20 (14) A vehicle or combination of vehicles that uses
21 natural gas or propane gas as a motor fuel may exceed the
22 above weight limitations by up to 2,000 pounds, the total
23 allowance is calculated by an amount that is equal to the
24 difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable
25 to the natural gas or propane gas tank and fueling system
26 carried by the vehicle, and the weight of a comparable

HB2492 Enrolled- 14 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b
1 diesel tank and fueling system. This paragraph (14) shall
2 not allow a vehicle to exceed any posted weight limit on a
3 highway or structure.
4 (15) An emergency vehicle or fire apparatus that is a
5 vehicle designed to be used under emergency conditions to
6 transport personnel and equipment, and used to support the
7 suppression of fires and mitigation of other hazardous
8 situations on a Class I highway, may not exceed 86,000
9 pounds gross weight, or any of the following weight
10 allowances:
11 (i) 24,000 pounds on a single steering axle;
12 (ii) 33,500 pounds on a single drive axle;
13 (iii) 62,000 pounds on a tandem axle; or
14 (iv) 52,000 pounds on a tandem rear drive steer
15 axle.
16 (16) A bus, motor coach, or recreational vehicle may
17 carry a total weight of 24,000 pounds on a single axle, but
18 may not exceed other weight provisions of this Section.
19 Gross weight limits shall not apply to the combination of
20the tow truck and vehicles being towed. The tow truck license
21plate must cover the operating empty weight of the tow truck
22only. The weight of each vehicle being towed shall be covered
23by a valid license plate issued to the owner or operator of the
24vehicle being towed and displayed on that vehicle. If no valid
25plate issued to the owner or operator of that vehicle is
26displayed on that vehicle, or the plate displayed on that

HB2492 Enrolled- 15 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b
1vehicle does not cover the weight of the vehicle, the weight of
2the vehicle shall be covered by the third tow truck plate
3issued to the owner or operator of the tow truck and
4temporarily affixed to the vehicle being towed. If a roll-back
5carrier is registered and being used as a tow truck, however,
6the license plate or plates for the tow truck must cover the
7gross vehicle weight, including any load carried on the bed of
8the roll-back carrier.
9 The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
10additional requirements. However, nothing in this Code shall
11prohibit a tow truck under instructions of a police officer
12from legally clearing a disabled vehicle, that may be in
13violation of weight limitations of this Chapter, from the
14roadway to the berm or shoulder of the highway. If in the
15opinion of the police officer that location is unsafe, the
16officer is authorized to have the disabled vehicle towed to the
17nearest place of safety.
18 For the purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
19rating, or GVWR, means the value specified by the manufacturer
20as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
21 (b) As used in this Section, "recycling haul" or "recycling
22operation" means the hauling of non-hazardous, non-special,
23non-putrescible materials, such as paper, glass, cans, or
24plastic, for subsequent use in the secondary materials market.
25 (c) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
26pneumatic tires shall be operated, unladen or with load, upon

HB2492 Enrolled- 16 -LRB100 05993 AXK 16022 b
1the highways of this State in violation of the provisions of
2any permit issued under the provisions of Sections 15-301
3through 15-319 of this Chapter.
4 (d) No vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with
5other than pneumatic tires may be operated, unladen or with
6load, upon the highways of this State when the gross weight on
7the road surface through any wheel exceeds 800 pounds per inch
8width of tire tread or when the gross weight on the road
9surface through any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
10 (e) No person shall operate a vehicle or combination of
11vehicles over a bridge or other elevated structure constituting
12part of a highway with a gross weight that is greater than the
13maximum weight permitted by the Department, when the structure
14is sign posted as provided in this Section.
15 (f) The Department upon request from any local authority
16shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation
17of any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part
18of a highway, and if it finds that the structure cannot with
19safety to itself withstand the weight of vehicles otherwise
20permissible under this Code the Department shall determine and
21declare the maximum weight of vehicles that the structures can
22withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating
23maximum weight to be erected and maintained before each end of
24the structure. No person shall operate a vehicle or combination
25of vehicles over any structure with a gross weight that is
26greater than the posted maximum weight.

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1 (g) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation
2of subsection (e) or (f) of this Section, proof of the
3determination of the maximum allowable weight by the Department
4and the existence of the signs, constitutes conclusive evidence
5of the maximum weight that can be maintained with safety to the
6bridge or structure.
7(Source: P.A. 98-409, eff. 1-1-14; 98-410, eff. 8-16-13;
898-756, eff. 7-16-14; 98-942, eff. 1-1-15; 98-956, eff. 1-1-15;
998-1029, eff. 1-1-15; 99-78, eff. 7-20-15; 99-717, eff.
108-5-16.)
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