Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of Public Act 094-0464

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Public Act 094-0464

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Public Act 0464 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Public Act 094-0464

HB3738 Enrolled LRB094 09404 DRH 39651 b

    AN ACT in relation to vehicles.

    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) On non-designated highways, no vehicle or combination
of vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires may be operated,
unladen or with load, when the total weight transmitted to the
road surface exceeds 18,000 pounds on a single axle or 32,000
pounds on a tandem axle with no axle within the tandem
exceeding 18,000 pounds except:
        (1) when 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;
        (3) tow trucks subject to the conditions provided in
    subsection (d) may not exceed 24,000 pounds on a single
    rear axle or 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle;
        (4) any single axle of a 2-axle truck weighing 36,000
    pounds or less and not a part of a combination of vehicles,
    shall not exceed 20,000 pounds;
        (5) any single axle of a 2-axle truck equipped with a
    personnel lift or digger derrick, weighing 36,000 pounds or
    less, owned and operated by a public utility, shall not
    exceed 20,000 pounds;
        (6) any single axle of a 2-axle truck specially
    equipped with a front loading compactor used exclusively
    for garbage, refuse, or recycling may not exceed 20,000
    pounds per axle, provided that the gross weight of the
    vehicle does not exceed 40,000 pounds;
        (7) a truck, not in combination and specially equipped
    with a selfcompactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and
    roll-off container, used exclusively for garbage or refuse
    operations may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface
    the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single
    axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle;
        (8) a truck, not in combination and used exclusively
    for the collection of rendering materials, may, when laden,
    transmit upon the road surface the following maximum
    weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a
    tandem axle;
        (9) tandem axles on a 3-axle truck registered as a
    Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in the
    model year of 2014 and first registered in Illinois prior
    to January 1, 2015, 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
    18,000 pounds. Any vehicle of this type manufactured after
    the model year of 2014 or first registered in Illinois
    after December 31, 2014 may not exceed a combined weight of
    32,000 pounds through the series of 2 axles and neither
    axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds;
        (10) tandem axles on a 4-axle truck mixer, whose fourth
    axle is a road surface engaging mixer trailing axle,
    registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively
    for the mixing and transportation of concrete and
    manufactured prior to or in the model year of 2014 and
    first registered in Illinois prior to January 1, 2015, 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 18,000 pounds. Any
    vehicle of this type manufactured after the model year of
    2014 or first registered in Illinois after December 31,
    2014 may not exceed a combined weight of 32,000 pounds
    through the series of 2 axles and neither axle of the
    series may exceed 18,000 pounds;
        (11) 4-axle vehicles or a 5 or more axle combination of
    vehicles: The weight transmitted upon the road surface
    through any series of 3 axles whose centers are more than
    96 inches apart, measured between extreme axles in the
    series, may not exceed those allowed in the table contained
    in subsection (f) of this Section. No axle or tandem axle
    of the series may exceed the maximum weight permitted under
    this Section for a single or tandem axle.
    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.
    (b) On non-designated highways, the gross weight of
vehicles and combination of vehicles including the weight of
the vehicle or combination and its maximum load shall be
subject to the foregoing limitations and further shall not
exceed the following gross weights dependent upon the number of
axles and distance between extreme axles of the vehicle or
combination measured longitudinally to the nearest foot.

VEHICLES HAVING 2 AXLES ....................... 36,000 pounds

VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS
HAVING 3 AXLES

With Tandem With or
  Axles Without
Tandem Axles
Minimum Minimum
distance to Maximum distance to Maximum
nearest foot Gross nearest foot Gross
between Weight between Weight

extreme axles (pounds) extreme axles (pounds)
10 feet 41,000 16 feet 46,000
11 42,000 17 47,000
12 43,000 18 47,500
13 44,000 19 48,000
14 44,500 20 49,000
15 45,000 21 feet or more 50,000

VEHICLES OR COMBINATIONS HAVING 4 AXLES
Minimum Minimum
distance to Maximum distance to Maximum
nearest foot Gross nearest foot Gross
between Weight between Weight
extreme axles (pounds) extreme axles (pounds)
15 feet 50,000 26 feet 57,500
16 50,500 27 58,000
17 51,500 28 58,500
18 52,000 29 59,500
19 52,500 30 60,000
20 53,500 31 60,500
21 54,000 32 61,500
22 54,500 33 62,000
23 55,500 34 62,500
24 56,000 35 63,500
25 56,500 36 feet or more 64,000
    A vehicle not in a combination having more than 4 axles may
not exceed the weight in the table in this subsection (b) for 4
axles measured between the extreme axles of the vehicle.

COMBINATIONS HAVING 5 OR MORE AXLES
Minimum distance to Maximum
nearest foot between Gross Weight
extreme axles (pounds)
42 feet or less 72,000
43 73,000
44 feet or more 73,280
VEHICLES OPERATING ON CRAWLER TYPE TRACKS ..... 40,000 pounds

TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SELFCOMPACTORS
OR ROLL-OFF HOISTS AND ROLL-OFF CONTAINERS FOR GARBAGE ,
~~OR~~ REFUSE , OR RECYCLING HAULS ONLY AND TRUCKS USED FOR
THE COLLECTION OF RENDERING MATERIALS
On Highway Not Part of National System
of Interstate and Defense Highways
with 2 axles                                   36,000 pounds
with 3 axles                                   54,000 pounds

TWO AXLE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH
A FRONT LOADING COMPACTOR USED EXCLUSIVELY
FOR THE COLLECTION OF GARBAGE, REFUSE, OR RECYCLING
with 2 axles                                   40,000 pounds

    (b-1) As used in this Section, a "recycling haul" or
"recycling operation" means the hauling of segregated,
non-hazardous, non-special, homogeneous non-putrescible
materials, such as paper, glass, cans, or plastic, for
subsequent use in the secondary materials market.
    (c) 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.
    (d) 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.
    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 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:
        (1) 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;
        (2) is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
    oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 feet in
    all directions;
        (3) is capable of utilizing the lighting and braking
    systems of the disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles;
    and
        (4) 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 from the
    initial point of wreck or disablement 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.
    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.
    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
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, shall mean the value specified by the
manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
    (e) 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.
    (f) On designated Class I, II, or III highways and the
National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, 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:

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
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
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 (f) 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 (f) 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
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) 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.
        (2) Vehicles for which a different limit is established
    and posted in accordance with Section 15-316 of this Code.
        (3) 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.
        (4) Tow trucks subject to the conditions provided in
    subsection (d) may not exceed 24,000 pounds on a single
    rear axle or 44,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle.
        (5) A tandem axle on a 3-axle truck registered as a
    Special Hauling Vehicle, manufactured prior to or in the
    model year of 2014, and registered in Illinois prior to
    January 1, 2015, with a distance between 2 axles in a
    series greater than 72 inches but not more than 96 inches
    may not exceed a total weight of 36,000 pounds and neither
    axle of the series may exceed 18,000 pounds.
        (6) A truck not in combination, equipped with a self
    compactor or an industrial roll-off hoist and roll-off
    container, used exclusively for garbage,~~or~~ refuse, or
    recycling operations, 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; 36,000 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) Combinations of vehicles, registered as Special
    Hauling Vehicles that include a semitrailer manufactured
    prior to or in the model year of 2014, and registered in
    Illinois prior to January 1, 2015, having 5 axles with a
    distance of 42 feet or less between extreme axles, may not
    exceed the following maximum weights: 18,000 pounds on a
    single axle; 32,000 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 this amendatory Act of the 92nd
    General Assembly, 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, 2014 may not exceed the weights allowed by the bridge
    formula.
    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.
    (f-1) A vehicle and load not exceeding 73,280 pounds is
allowed access as follows:
        (1) From any State designated highway onto any county,
    township, or municipal highway for a distance of 5 highway
    miles for the purpose of loading and unloading, provided:
            (A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 8 feet 6
        inches in width and 65 feet overall length.
            (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
            (C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare
        between State designated highways.
        (2) From any State designated highway onto any county
    or township highway for a distance of 5 highway miles, or
    any municipal highway for a distance of one highway mile
    for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs, and rest, provided:
            (A) The vehicle and load does not exceed 8 feet 6
        inches in width and 65 feet overall length.
            (B) There is no sign prohibiting that access.
            (C) The route is not being used as a thoroughfare
        between State designated highways.
    (f-2) A vehicle and load greater than 73,280 pounds in
weight but not exceeding 80,000 pounds is allowed access as
follows:
        (1) From a Class I highway onto any street or highway
    for a distance of one highway mile for the purpose of
    loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest,
    provided there is no sign prohibiting that access.
        (2) From a Class I, II, or III highway onto any State
    highway or any local designated highway for a distance of 5
    highway miles for the purpose of loading, unloading, food,
    fuel, repairs, and rest.
    Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
designation of highways under this subsection.
    (g) 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.
    (h) The Department upon request from any local authority
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.
    (i) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation
of subsections (g) or (h) 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. 92-417, eff. 1-1-02; 93-177, eff. 7-11-03;
93-186, eff. 1-1-04; 93-1023, eff. 8-25-04.)

Effective Date: 1/1/2006

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