Bill Text: IL SB0899 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Engrossed


Bill Title: Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Authorizes the Department of Transportation to restrict vehicle length on its roadways as it deems appropriate. Provides that for the purposes of designing or modifying the intersection of a local roadway and a State roadway that does not accommodate specified vehicles, a local unit of government may request in writing for the Department to restrict the length of vehicles turning on to or off of any jurisdiction roadway of the intersection. Provides that such a restriction becomes effective when appropriate signs giving notice of the limit are erected and each governmental entity shall cause signage to be installed on its respective roadway to notify vehicles of turning and length restrictions. Prohibits vehicles that exceed posted measurements from turning to access the roadway. Requires each unit of local government to report to the Department, and the Department to post on its official website, any limitations prohibiting the operation of vehicles imposed by ordinance or resolution in the unit of local government's non-designated highway system and any non-designated highway that is not designed and constructed after January 1, 2024 (rather than January 1, 2023) to the overall length dimension of vehicles permitted.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-11-26 - Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Kelly [SB0899 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SB0899-Engrossed.html

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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
5changing Sections 15-107 and 15-116 as follows:
6 (625 ILCS 5/15-107) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-107)
7 Sec. 15-107. Length of vehicles.
8 (a) The maximum length of a single vehicle on any highway
9of this State may not exceed 42 feet except the following:
10 (1) Semitrailers.
11 (2) Charter or regulated route buses may be up to 45
12 feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.
13 (a-1) A motor home as defined in Section 1-145.01 may be up
14to 45 feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.
15The length limitations described in this subsection (a-1)
16shall be exclusive of energy-absorbing bumpers and rear view
17mirrors.
18 (b) The Department shall have the authority to restrict
19vehicle length on its roadways as it deems appropriate.
20(Blank).
21 (c) Except as provided in subsections (c-1) and (c-2),
22combinations of vehicles may not exceed a total of 2 vehicles
23except the following:

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1 (1) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one trailer.
2 (2) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one converter
3 dolly or one semitrailer.
4 (3) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one vehicle
5 that is defined in Chapter 1 as special mobile equipment,
6 provided the overall dimension does not exceed 60 feet.
7 (4) A truck in transit may draw 3 trucks in transit
8 coupled together by the triple saddlemount method.
9 (5) Recreational vehicles consisting of 3 vehicles,
10 provided the following:
11 (A) The total overall dimension does not exceed 60
12 feet.
13 (B) The towing vehicle is a properly registered
14 vehicle capable of towing another vehicle using a
15 fifth-wheel type assembly.
16 (C) The second vehicle in the combination of
17 vehicles is a recreational vehicle that is towed by a
18 fifth-wheel assembly. This vehicle must be properly
19 registered and must be equipped with brakes,
20 regardless of weight.
21 (D) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the 3
22 vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer designed or
23 used for transporting a boat, all-terrain vehicle,
24 personal watercraft, or motorcycle.
25 (E) The towed vehicles may be only for the use of
26 the operator of the towing vehicle.

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1 (F) All vehicles must be properly equipped with
2 operating brakes and safety equipment required by this
3 Code, except the additional brake requirement in
4 subdivision (C) of this subparagraph (5).
5 (6) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle
6 or combination of disabled vehicles, provided the towing
7 vehicle:
8 (A) Is specifically designed as a tow truck having
9 a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000
10 pounds and equipped with air brakes, provided that air
11 brakes are required only if the towing vehicle is
12 towing a vehicle, semitrailer, or tractor-trailer
13 combination that is equipped with air brakes. For the
14 purpose of this subsection, gross vehicle weight
15 rating, or GVWR, means the value specified by the
16 manufacturer as the loaded weight of the tow truck.
17 (B) Is equipped with flashing, rotating, or
18 oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500
19 feet in all directions.
20 (C) Is capable of utilizing the lighting and
21 braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination
22 of vehicles.
23 (D) Does not engage a tow exceeding 50 highway
24 miles from the initial point of wreck or disablement
25 to a place of repair. Any additional movement of the
26 vehicles may occur only upon issuance of authorization

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1 for that movement under the provisions of Sections
2 15-301 through 15-318 of this Code.
3 The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe
4 additional requirements regarding length limitations for a
5 tow truck towing another vehicle.
6 For purposes of this Section, a tow-dolly that merely
7 serves as substitute wheels for another legally licensed
8 vehicle is considered part of the licensed vehicle and not
9 a separate vehicle.
10 (7) Commercial vehicles consisting of 3 vehicles,
11 provided the following:
12 (A) The total overall dimension does not exceed 65
13 feet.
14 (B) The towing vehicle is a properly registered
15 vehicle capable of towing another vehicle using a
16 fifth-wheel type assembly or a goose-neck hitch ball.
17 (C) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the 3
18 vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer.
19 (D) All vehicles must be properly equipped with
20 operating brakes and safety equipment required by this
21 Code.
22 (E) The combination of vehicles must be operated
23 by a person who holds a commercial driver's license
24 (CDL).
25 (F) The combination of vehicles must be en route
26 to a location where new or used trailers are sold by an

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1 Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer
2 dealer.
3 (c-1) A combination of 3 vehicles is allowed access to any
4State designated highway if:
5 (1) the length of neither towed vehicle exceeds 28.5
6 feet;
7 (2) the overall wheel base of the combination of
8 vehicles does not exceed 62 feet; and
9 (3) the combination of vehicles is en route to a
10 location where new or used trailers are sold by an
11 Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer
12 dealer.
13 (c-2) A combination of 3 vehicles is allowed access from
14any State designated highway onto any county, township, or
15municipal highway for a distance of 5 highway miles for the
16purpose of delivery or collection of one or both of the towed
17vehicles if:
18 (1) the length of neither towed vehicle exceeds 28.5
19 feet;
20 (2) the combination of vehicles does not exceed 40,000
21 pounds in gross weight and 8 feet 6 inches in width;
22 (3) there is no sign prohibiting that access;
23 (4) the route is not being used as a thoroughfare
24 between State designated highways; and
25 (5) the combination of vehicles is en route to a
26 location where new or used trailers are sold by an

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1 Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer
2 dealer.
3 (d) On Class I highways there are no overall length
4limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations
5provided:
6 (1) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with load,
7 in combination with a truck tractor may not exceed 53
8 feet.
9 (2) The distance between the kingpin and the center of
10 the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in
11 combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet 6
12 inches. The limit contained in this paragraph (2) shall
13 not apply to trailers or semi-trailers used for the
14 transport of livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.
15 (3) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or
16 with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer
17 or truck tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination, may
18 not exceed 28 feet 6 inches.
19 (4) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter 1,
20 may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
21 (5) Combinations of vehicles specifically designed to
22 transport motor vehicles or boats may not exceed 65 feet
23 overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of
24 front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of
25 the transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of
26 this Section.

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1 (6) Stinger-steered semitrailer vehicles specifically
2 designed to transport motor vehicles or boats and
3 automobile transporters, as defined in Chapter 1, may not
4 exceed 80 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is
5 inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the
6 overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in
7 paragraph (i) of this Section.
8 (7) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks coupled
9 together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed
10 97 feet overall dimension.
11 (8) A towaway trailer transporter combination may not
12 exceed 82 feet overall dimension.
13 Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting
14poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural
15nature that cannot readily be dismantled or disassembled are
16exempt from length limitations, provided that no object may
17exceed 80 feet in length and the overall dimension of the
18vehicle including the load may not exceed 100 feet. This
19exemption does not apply to operation on a Saturday, Sunday,
20or legal holiday. Legal holidays referred to in this Section
21are the days on which the following traditional holidays are
22celebrated: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day;
23Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
24 Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
25route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities
26or properties are exempt from length limitations, provided

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1that during night operations every vehicle and its load must
2be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on
3both sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any
4projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
5 A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
6combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6)
7of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
8limitations.
9 The length limitations described in this paragraph (d)
10shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices,
11such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and
12other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary
13for safe and efficient operation; except that no device
14excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use
15the capability to carry cargo.
16 Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
17relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
18designation of highways under this paragraph (d).
19 (e) On Class II highways there are no overall length
20limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations,
21provided:
22 (1) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with load,
23 in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 53
24 feet overall dimension.
25 (2) The distance between the kingpin and the center of
26 the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in

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1 combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet 6
2 inches. The limit contained in this paragraph (2) shall
3 not apply to trailers or semi-trailers used for the
4 transport of livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.
5 (3) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer or truck
6 tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination may not exceed
7 65 feet in dimension from front axle to rear axle.
8 (4) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or
9 with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer
10 or truck tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination, may
11 not exceed 28 feet 6 inches.
12 (5) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter 1,
13 may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
14 (6) A combination of vehicles, specifically designed
15 to transport motor vehicles or boats, may not exceed 65
16 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive
17 of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of
18 the transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of
19 this Section.
20 (7) Stinger-steered semitrailer vehicles specifically
21 designed to transport motor vehicles or boats may not
22 exceed 80 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is
23 inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the
24 overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in
25 paragraph (i) of this Section.
26 (8) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks coupled

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1 together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed
2 97 feet overall dimension.
3 (9) A towaway trailer transporter combination may not
4 exceed 82 feet overall dimension.
5 Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting
6poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural
7nature that cannot readily be dismantled or disassembled are
8exempt from length limitations, provided that no object may
9exceed 80 feet in length and the overall dimension of the
10vehicle including the load may not exceed 100 feet. This
11exemption does not apply to operation on a Saturday, Sunday,
12or legal holiday. Legal holidays referred to in this Section
13are the days on which the following traditional holidays are
14celebrated: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day;
15Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
16 Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en
17route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities
18or properties are exempt from length limitations, provided
19that during night operations every vehicle and its load must
20be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on
21both sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any
22projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
23 A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or
24combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6)
25of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length
26limitations.

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1 Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
2under their jurisdiction, may also by ordinance or resolution
3allow length limitations of this subsection (e).
4 The length limitations described in this paragraph (e)
5shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices,
6such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and
7other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary
8for safe and efficient operation; except that no device
9excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use
10the capability to carry cargo.
11 Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act
12relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the
13designation of highways under this paragraph (e).
14 (e-1) (Blank).
15 (e-2) Except as provided in subsection (e-3), combinations
16of vehicles over 65 feet in length, with no overall length
17limitation except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of
18this Section, are allowed access as follows:
19 (1) From a Class I highway onto any street or highway
20 for a distance of one highway mile for the purpose of
21 loading, unloading, food, fuel, repairs, and rest,
22 provided there is no sign prohibiting that access.
23 (2) From a Class I or Class II highway onto any
24 non-designated highway for a distance of 5 highway miles
25 for the purpose of loading, unloading, food, fuel,
26 repairs, and rest if:

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1 (A) there is no sign prohibiting that access; and
2 (B) the route is not being used as a thoroughfare
3 between Class I or Class II highways.
4 (e-3) Combinations of vehicles over 65 feet in length
5operated by household goods carriers or towaway trailer
6transporter combinations, with no overall length limitations
7except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this Section,
8have unlimited access to points of loading, unloading, or
9delivery to or from a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer.
10 (f) On non-designated highways, the maximum length
11limitations for vehicles in combination are as follows:
12 (1) A truck tractor in combination with a semitrailer
13 may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension. An agency or
14 instrumentality of the State or any unit of local
15 government shall not be required to design or construct a
16 new non-designated highway or to widen or otherwise alter
17 a non-designated highway to accommodate truck
18 tractor-semitrailer combinations under this paragraph (1).
19 (2) Semitrailers, unladen or with load, may not exceed
20 53 feet overall dimension.
21 (3) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer or truck
22 tractor semitrailer-semitrailer may not exceed 60 feet
23 overall dimension.
24 (4) The distance between the kingpin and the center
25 axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination
26 with a truck tractor, may not exceed 42 feet 6 inches. The

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1 limit contained in this paragraph (4) shall not apply to
2 trailers or semi-trailers used for the transport of
3 livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.
4 An agency or instrumentality of the State or any unit of
5local government shall not be required to design, construct,
6alter, widen, or maintain any non-designated highway to
7accommodate vehicles in combination under this subsection (f).
8For the purposes of designing or modifying the intersection of
9a local roadway and a State roadway that does not accommodate
10vehicles under this subsection (f), either the Department or
11local government may, in its sole discretion with respect to
12its respective roadway, restrict the length of vehicles
13turning on to or off of its respective roadway. A restriction
14so determined and declared by the Department or the local
15government becomes effective, when appropriate signs giving
16notice of the limit are erected. Each governmental entity
17shall cause signage to be installed on its respective roadway
18to notify vehicles of turning and length restrictions.
19Vehicles that exceed posted measurements shall be prohibited
20from turning to access the roadway.
21 (g) Length limitations in the preceding subsections of
22this Section 15-107 do not apply to the following:
23 (1) Vehicles operated in the daytime, except on
24 Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, when transporting
25 poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural
26 nature that cannot readily be dismantled or disassembled,

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1 provided the overall length of vehicle and load may not
2 exceed 100 feet and no object exceeding 80 feet in length
3 may be transported unless a permit has been obtained as
4 authorized in Section 15-301. As used in this Section,
5 "legal holiday" means any of the following days: New
6 Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day;
7 Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
8 (2) Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility
9 while en route to make emergency repairs to public service
10 facilities or properties, but during night operation every
11 vehicle and its load must be equipped with a sufficient
12 number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps
13 upon the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly
14 mark the dimensions of the load.
15 (3) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle
16 or combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in
17 paragraph (6) of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt
18 from length limitations.
19 The towing vehicle, however, may tow any disabled vehicle
20from the initial point of wreck or disablement to a point where
21repairs are actually to occur. This movement shall be valid
22only on State routes. The tower must abide by posted bridge
23weight limits.
24 All other combinations not listed in this subsection (f)
25may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.
26 (h) The load upon any vehicle operated alone, or the load

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1upon the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles, shall not
2extend more than 3 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle
3or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a
4front bumper. The provisions of this subsection (h) shall not
5apply to any vehicle or combination of vehicles specifically
6designed for the collection and transportation of waste,
7garbage, or recyclable materials during the vehicle's
8operation in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or
9recyclable materials if the vehicle is traveling at a speed
10not in excess of 15 miles per hour during the vehicle's
11operation and in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or
12recyclable materials. However, in no instance shall the load
13extend more than 7 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle
14or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a
15front bumper.
16 (i) The load upon the front vehicle of an automobile
17transporter or a stinger-steered vehicle specifically designed
18to transport motor vehicles shall not extend more than 4 feet
19beyond the foremost part of the transporting vehicle and the
20load upon the rear transporting vehicle shall not extend more
21than 6 feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle.
22This paragraph shall only be applicable upon highways
23designated in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section.
24 (j) Articulated vehicles comprised of 2 sections, neither
25of which exceeds a length of 42 feet, designed for the carrying
26of more than 10 persons, may be up to 60 feet in length, not

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1including energy absorbing bumpers, provided that the vehicles
2are:
3 1. operated by or for any public body or motor carrier
4 authorized by law to provide public transportation
5 services; or
6 2. operated in local public transportation service by
7 any other person and the municipality in which the service
8 is to be provided approved the operation of the vehicle.
9 (j-1) (Blank).
10 (k) Any person who is convicted of violating this Section
11is subject to the penalty as provided in paragraph (b) of
12Section 15-113.
13 (l) (Blank).
14(Source: P.A. 102-124, eff. 7-23-21; 103-258, eff. 1-1-24.)
15 (625 ILCS 5/15-116)
16 Sec. 15-116. Highway designations.
17 (a) The Department of Transportation shall maintain and
18provide a listing of all Class I and Class II designated
19streets and highways as defined in Chapter 1 of this Code.
20 (b) The Department shall also maintain and provide a
21listing of all local streets or highways that have been
22designated Class II by local agencies.
23 (c) Local agencies shall be responsible for reporting to
24the Department all streets and highways under their
25jurisdiction designated Class II. Local agencies shall also

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