Bill Text: IL SB2987 | 2015-2016 | 99th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: 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).

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-04-08 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments [SB2987 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2015-SB2987-Introduced.html

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

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Distance measured
to the nearest
foot between the
extremes of any Maximum weight in pounds
group of 2 or of any group of
more consecutive 2 or more consecutive axles
axles
feet 2 axles 3 axles 4 axles 5 axles 6 axles
4 34,000
5 34,000
6 34,000
7 34,000
8 38,000* 42,000
9 39,000 42,500
10 40,000 43,500
11 44,000
12 45,000 50,000
13 45,500 50,500
14 46,500 51,500
15 47,000 52,000
16 48,000 52,500 58,000
17 48,500 53,500 58,500
18 49,500 54,000 59,000
19 50,000 54,500 60,000
20 51,000 55,500 60,500 66,000

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21 51,500 56,000 61,000 66,500
22 52,500 56,500 61,500 67,000
23 53,000 57,500 62,500 68,000
24 54,000 58,000 63,000 68,500
25 54,500 58,500 63,500 69,000
26 55,500 59,500 64,000 69,500
27 56,000 60,000 65,000 70,000
28 57,000 60,500 65,500 71,000
29 57,500 61,500 66,000 71,500
30 58,500 62,000 66,500 72,000
31 59,000 62,500 67,500 72,500
32 60,000 63,500 68,000 73,000
33 64,000 68,500 74,000
34 64,500 69,000 74,500
35 65,500 70,000 75,000
36 66,000 70,500 75,500
37 66,500 71,000 76,000
38 67,500 72,000 77,000
39 68,000 72,500 77,500
40 68,500 73,000 78,000
41 69,500 73,500 78,500
42 70,000 74,000 79,000
43 70,500 75,000 80,000
44 71,500 75,500
45 72,000 76,000
46 72,500 76,500

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47 73,500 77,500
48 74,000 78,000
49 74,500 78,500
50 75,500 79,000
51 76,000 80,000
52 76,500
53 77,500
54 78,000
55 78,500
56 79,500
57 80,000
*If the distance between 2 axles is 96 inches or less, the 2
axles are tandem axles and the maximum total weight may not
exceed 34,000 pounds, notwithstanding the higher limit
resulting from the application of the formula.
Vehicles not in a combination having more than 4 axles may
not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (a) for 4
axles measured between the extreme axles of the vehicle.
Vehicles in a combination having more than 6 axles may not
exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (a) for 6
axles measured between the extreme axles of the combination.
Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
under their jurisdiction, without additional fees, may also by
ordinance or resolution allow the weight limitations of this
subsection, provided the maximum gross weight on any one axle
shall not exceed 20,000 pounds and the maximum total weight on

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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