Public Act 103-1079
 
SB0899 EnrolledLRB103 03371 HEP 48377 b

    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 Sections 15-107 and 15-116 as follows:
 
    (625 ILCS 5/15-107)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 15-107)
    Sec. 15-107. Length of vehicles. 
    (a) The maximum length of a single vehicle on any highway 
of this State may not exceed 42 feet except the following:
        (1) Semitrailers.
        (2) Charter or regulated route buses may be up to 45 
    feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers.
    (a-1) A motor home as defined in Section 1-145.01 may be up 
to 45 feet in length, not including energy absorbing bumpers. 
The length limitations described in this subsection (a-1) 
shall be exclusive of energy-absorbing bumpers and rear view 
mirrors.
    (b) The Department shall have the authority to restrict 
vehicle length on its roadways as it deems appropriate. 
(Blank).
    (c) Except as provided in subsections (c-1) and (c-2), 
combinations of vehicles may not exceed a total of 2 vehicles 
except the following:
        (1) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one trailer.
        (2) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one converter 
    dolly or one semitrailer.
        (3) A truck tractor semitrailer may draw one vehicle 
    that is defined in Chapter 1 as special mobile equipment, 
    provided the overall dimension does not exceed 60 feet.
        (4) A truck in transit may draw 3 trucks in transit 
    coupled together by the triple saddlemount method.
        (5) Recreational vehicles consisting of 3 vehicles, 
    provided the following:
            (A) The total overall dimension does not exceed 60 
        feet.
            (B) The towing vehicle is a properly registered 
        vehicle capable of towing another vehicle using a 
        fifth-wheel type assembly.
            (C) The second vehicle in the combination of 
        vehicles is a recreational vehicle that is towed by a 
        fifth-wheel assembly. This vehicle must be properly 
        registered and must be equipped with brakes, 
        regardless of weight.
            (D) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the 3 
        vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer designed or 
        used for transporting a boat, all-terrain vehicle, 
        personal watercraft, or motorcycle.
            (E) The towed vehicles may be only for the use of 
        the operator of the towing vehicle.
            (F) All vehicles must be properly equipped with 
        operating brakes and safety equipment required by this 
        Code, except the additional brake requirement in 
        subdivision (C) of this subparagraph (5).
        (6) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle 
    or combination of disabled vehicles, provided the towing 
    vehicle:
            (A) Is specifically designed as a tow truck having 
        a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 18,000 
        pounds and 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. 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) Is equipped with flashing, rotating, or 
        oscillating amber lights, visible for at least 500 
        feet in all directions.
            (C) Is capable of utilizing the lighting and 
        braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination 
        of vehicles.
            (D) Does not engage a tow exceeding 50 highway 
        miles from the initial point of wreck or disablement 
        to a place of repair. Any additional movement of the 
        vehicles may occur only upon issuance of authorization 
        for that movement under the provisions of Sections 
        15-301 through 15-318 of this Code.
        The Department may by rule or regulation prescribe 
    additional requirements regarding length limitations for a 
    tow truck towing another vehicle.
        For purposes of this Section, a tow-dolly that merely 
    serves as substitute wheels for another legally licensed 
    vehicle is considered part of the licensed vehicle and not 
    a separate vehicle.
        (7) Commercial vehicles consisting of 3 vehicles, 
    provided the following:
            (A) The total overall dimension does not exceed 65 
        feet.
            (B) The towing vehicle is a properly registered 
        vehicle capable of towing another vehicle using a 
        fifth-wheel type assembly or a goose-neck hitch ball.
            (C) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the 3 
        vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer.
            (D) All vehicles must be properly equipped with 
        operating brakes and safety equipment required by this 
        Code. 
            (E) The combination of vehicles must be operated 
        by a person who holds a commercial driver's license 
        (CDL). 
            (F) The combination of vehicles must be en route 
        to a location where new or used trailers are sold by an 
        Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer 
        dealer. 
    (c-1) A combination of 3 vehicles is allowed access to any 
State designated highway if:
        (1) the length of neither towed vehicle exceeds 28.5 
    feet;
        (2) the overall wheel base of the combination of 
    vehicles does not exceed 62 feet; and 
        (3) the combination of vehicles is en route to a 
    location where new or used trailers are sold by an 
    Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer 
    dealer. 
    (c-2) A combination of 3 vehicles is allowed access from 
any State designated highway onto any county, township, or 
municipal highway for a distance of 5 highway miles for the 
purpose of delivery or collection of one or both of the towed 
vehicles if:
        (1) the length of neither towed vehicle exceeds 28.5 
    feet;
        (2) the combination of vehicles does not exceed 40,000 
    pounds in gross weight and 8 feet 6 inches in width;
        (3) there is no sign prohibiting that access;
        (4) the route is not being used as a thoroughfare 
    between State designated highways; and 
        (5) the combination of vehicles is en route to a 
    location where new or used trailers are sold by an 
    Illinois or out-of-state licensed new or used trailer 
    dealer. 
    (d) On Class I highways there are no overall length 
limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations 
provided:
        (1) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with load, 
    in combination with a truck tractor may not exceed 53 
    feet.
        (2) The distance between the kingpin and the center of 
    the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in 
    combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet 6 
    inches. The limit contained in this paragraph (2) shall 
    not apply to trailers or semi-trailers used for the 
    transport of livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.
        (3) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or 
    with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer 
    or truck tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination, may 
    not exceed 28 feet 6 inches.
        (4) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter 1, 
    may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
        (5) Combinations of vehicles specifically designed to 
    transport motor vehicles or boats may not exceed 65 feet 
    overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive of 
    front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of 
    the transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of 
    this Section.
        (6) Stinger-steered semitrailer vehicles specifically 
    designed to transport motor vehicles or boats and 
    automobile transporters, as defined in Chapter 1, may not 
    exceed 80 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is 
    inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the 
    overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in 
    paragraph (i) of this Section.
        (7) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks coupled 
    together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed 
    97 feet overall dimension.
        (8) A towaway trailer transporter combination may not 
    exceed 82 feet overall dimension. 
    Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting 
poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural 
nature that cannot readily be dismantled or disassembled are 
exempt from length limitations, provided that no object may 
exceed 80 feet in length and the overall dimension of the 
vehicle including the load may not exceed 100 feet. This 
exemption does not apply to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, 
or legal holiday. Legal holidays referred to in this Section 
are the days on which the following traditional holidays are 
celebrated: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; 
Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
    Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en 
route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities 
or properties are exempt from length limitations, provided 
that during night operations every vehicle and its load must 
be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on 
both sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any 
projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
    A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or 
combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6) 
of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length 
limitations.
    The length limitations described in this paragraph (d) 
shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices, 
such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and 
other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary 
for safe and efficient operation; except that no device 
excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use 
the capability to carry cargo.
    Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act 
relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the 
designation of highways under this paragraph (d).
    (e) On Class II highways there are no overall length 
limitations on motor vehicles operating in combinations, 
provided:
        (1) The length of a semitrailer, unladen or with load, 
    in combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 53 
    feet overall dimension.
        (2) The distance between the kingpin and the center of 
    the rear axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in 
    combination with a truck tractor, may not exceed 45 feet 6 
    inches. The limit contained in this paragraph (2) shall 
    not apply to trailers or semi-trailers used for the 
    transport of livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.
        (3) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer or truck 
    tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination may not exceed 
    65 feet in dimension from front axle to rear axle.
        (4) The length of a semitrailer or trailer, unladen or 
    with load, operated in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer 
    or truck tractor semitrailer-semitrailer combination, may 
    not exceed 28 feet 6 inches.
        (5) Maxi-cube combinations, as defined in Chapter 1, 
    may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension.
        (6) A combination of vehicles, specifically designed 
    to transport motor vehicles or boats, may not exceed 65 
    feet overall dimension. The length limitation is inclusive 
    of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the overhang of 
    the transported vehicles, as provided in paragraph (i) of 
    this Section.
        (7) Stinger-steered semitrailer vehicles specifically 
    designed to transport motor vehicles or boats may not 
    exceed 80 feet overall dimension. The length limitation is 
    inclusive of front and rear bumpers but exclusive of the 
    overhang of the transported vehicles, as provided in 
    paragraph (i) of this Section.
        (8) A truck in transit transporting 3 trucks coupled 
    together by the triple saddlemount method may not exceed 
    97 feet overall dimension.
        (9) A towaway trailer transporter combination may not 
    exceed 82 feet overall dimension. 
    Vehicles operating during daylight hours when transporting 
poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural 
nature that cannot readily be dismantled or disassembled are 
exempt from length limitations, provided that no object may 
exceed 80 feet in length and the overall dimension of the 
vehicle including the load may not exceed 100 feet. This 
exemption does not apply to operation on a Saturday, Sunday, 
or legal holiday. Legal holidays referred to in this Section 
are the days on which the following traditional holidays are 
celebrated: New Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; 
Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
    Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility while en 
route to make emergency repairs to public service facilities 
or properties are exempt from length limitations, provided 
that during night operations every vehicle and its load must 
be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on 
both sides and marker lamps on the extreme ends of any 
projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load.
    A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle or 
combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in paragraph (6) 
of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt from length 
limitations.
    Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways 
under their jurisdiction, may also by ordinance or resolution 
allow length limitations of this subsection (e).
    The length limitations described in this paragraph (e) 
shall be exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices, 
such as bumpers, refrigeration units or air compressors and 
other devices, that the Department may interpret as necessary 
for safe and efficient operation; except that no device 
excluded under this paragraph shall have by its design or use 
the capability to carry cargo.
    Section 5-35 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act 
relating to procedures for rulemaking shall not apply to the 
designation of highways under this paragraph (e).
    (e-1) (Blank).
    (e-2) Except as provided in subsection (e-3), combinations 
of vehicles over 65 feet in length, with no overall length 
limitation except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of 
this Section, are 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 or Class II highway onto any 
    non-designated highway for a distance of 5 highway miles 
    for the purpose of loading, unloading, food, fuel, 
    repairs, and rest if:
            (A) there is no sign prohibiting that access; and
            (B) the route is not being used as a thoroughfare 
        between Class I or Class II highways.
    (e-3) Combinations of vehicles over 65 feet in length 
operated by household goods carriers or towaway trailer 
transporter combinations, with no overall length limitations 
except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this Section, 
have unlimited access to points of loading, unloading, or 
delivery to or from a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer. 
    (f) On non-designated highways, the maximum length 
limitations for vehicles in combination are as follows:
        (1) A truck tractor in combination with a semitrailer 
    may not exceed 65 feet overall dimension. An agency or 
    instrumentality of the State or any unit of local 
    government shall not be required to design or construct a 
    new non-designated highway or to widen or otherwise alter 
    a non-designated highway to accommodate truck 
    tractor-semitrailer combinations under this paragraph (1). 
        (2) Semitrailers, unladen or with load, may not exceed 
    53 feet overall dimension.
        (3) A truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer or truck 
    tractor semitrailer-semitrailer may not exceed 60 feet 
    overall dimension.
        (4) The distance between the kingpin and the center 
    axle of a semitrailer longer than 48 feet, in combination 
    with a truck tractor, may not exceed 42 feet 6 inches. The 
    limit contained in this paragraph (4) shall not apply to 
    trailers or semi-trailers used for the transport of 
    livestock as defined by Section 18b-101.
    An agency or instrumentality of the State or any unit of 
local government shall not be required to design, construct, 
alter, widen, or maintain any non-designated highway to 
accommodate vehicles in combination under this subsection (f). 
For the purposes of designing or modifying the intersection of 
a local roadway and a State roadway that does not accommodate 
vehicles under this subsection (f), 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. The Department may, in its sole 
discretion, restrict the length of vehicles turning on to or 
off of any jurisdiction roadway of the intersection. A 
restriction so determined and declared by the Department 
becomes effective, when appropriate signs giving notice of the 
limit are erected. Each governmental entity shall cause 
signage to be installed on its respective roadway to notify 
vehicles of turning and length restrictions. Vehicles that 
exceed posted measurements shall be prohibited from turning to 
access the roadway. 
    (g) Length limitations in the preceding subsections of 
this Section 15-107 do not apply to the following:
        (1) Vehicles operated in the daytime, except on 
    Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, when transporting 
    poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural 
    nature that cannot readily be dismantled or disassembled, 
    provided the overall length of vehicle and load may not 
    exceed 100 feet and no object exceeding 80 feet in length 
    may be transported unless a permit has been obtained as 
    authorized in Section 15-301. As used in this Section, 
    "legal holiday" means any of the following days: New 
    Year's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; 
    Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
        (2) Vehicles and loads operated by a public utility 
    while en route to make emergency repairs to public service 
    facilities or properties, but during night operation every 
    vehicle and its load must be equipped with a sufficient 
    number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps 
    upon the extreme ends of any projecting load to clearly 
    mark the dimensions of the load.
        (3) A tow truck in combination with a disabled vehicle 
    or combination of disabled vehicles, as provided in 
    paragraph (6) of subsection (c) of this Section, is exempt 
    from length limitations.
     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.
    All other combinations not listed in this subsection (f) 
may not exceed 60 feet overall dimension.
    (h) The load upon any vehicle operated alone, or the load 
upon the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles, shall not 
extend more than 3 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle 
or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a 
front bumper. The provisions of this subsection (h) shall not 
apply to any vehicle or combination of vehicles specifically 
designed for the collection and transportation of waste, 
garbage, or recyclable materials during the vehicle's 
operation in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or 
recyclable materials if the vehicle is traveling at a speed 
not in excess of 15 miles per hour during the vehicle's 
operation and in the course of collecting garbage, waste, or 
recyclable materials. However, in no instance shall the load 
extend more than 7 feet beyond the front wheels of the vehicle 
or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with a 
front bumper.
    (i) The load upon the front vehicle of an automobile 
transporter or a stinger-steered vehicle specifically designed 
to transport motor vehicles shall not extend more than 4 feet 
beyond the foremost part of the transporting vehicle and the 
load upon the rear transporting vehicle shall not extend more 
than 6 feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle. 
This paragraph shall only be applicable upon highways 
designated in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section.
    (j) Articulated vehicles comprised of 2 sections, neither 
of which exceeds a length of 42 feet, designed for the carrying 
of more than 10 persons, may be up to 60 feet in length, not 
including energy absorbing bumpers, provided that the vehicles 
are:
        1. operated by or for any public body or motor carrier 
    authorized by law to provide public transportation 
    services; or
        2. operated in local public transportation service by 
    any other person and the municipality in which the service 
    is to be provided approved the operation of the vehicle.
    (j-1) (Blank).
    (k) Any person who is convicted of violating this Section 
is subject to the penalty as provided in paragraph (b) of 
Section 15-113.
    (l) (Blank).
(Source: P.A. 102-124, eff. 7-23-21; 103-258, eff. 1-1-24.)
 
    (625 ILCS 5/15-116)
    Sec. 15-116. Highway designations.  
    (a) The Department of Transportation shall maintain and 
provide a listing of all Class I and Class II designated 
streets and highways as defined in Chapter 1 of this Code. 
    (b) The Department shall also maintain and provide a 
listing of all local streets or highways that have been 
designated Class II by local agencies. 
    (c) Local agencies shall be responsible for reporting to 
the Department all streets and highways under their 
jurisdiction designated Class II. Local agencies shall also 
provide to the Department reference contact names and 
telephone numbers. 
    (d) The Department shall also maintain and provide an 
official map of the Designated State Truck Route System that 
includes State and local streets and highways that have been 
designated Class I or Class II.
    (e) If a unit of local government has no Class II 
designated truck routes, the unit of local government shall 
affirm to the Department that it has no such truck routes.
    (f) Each unit of local government shall report to the 
Department, and the Department shall 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 2023 to the overall length dimension of 
vehicles permitted under paragraph (1) of subsection (f) of 
Section 15-107. 
(Source: P.A. 103-258, eff. 1-1-24.)