Several new laws affecting trucking operators in Illinois took effect Jan. 1, including uniform 80,000-pound truck access, a uniform speed limit, and a texting while driving ban.


Uniform 80,000-Pound Truck Access

Illinois has joined the other 49 states that use the Federal Bridge Formula and a corresponding 80,000-pound gross weight limit for commercial vehicles as the default weight limit on nearly all roads, state and local.

Illinois' outdated 73,280-pound limit was eliminated as of the first of the year. In addition, the 18,000-pound axle and 32,000-pound tandem limits have been eliminated. The default axle and tandem weight limit for all roads in Illinois is now 20,000 pounds and 34,000 pounds, respectively, unless a road is posted for a lower limit.

State and local jurisdictions still have the ability to post roads and bridges with a lower limit in certain circumstances. Local jurisdictions will also have the ability to post roads for up to 90 days for freeze-thaw cycles.

Also, the cost for overweight fines has been doubled.

Uniform 65-mph Speed Limit

The maximum speed limit on rural interstates outside of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties for trucks and other combination vehicles will be 65 mph, the same as for automobiles. Drivers should be aware that speed limits have changed only on rural interstates and only in areas outside of the six-county Chicago area.

There are several areas, particularly in Will and Kane Counties, where the speed limit will remain split 65/55 for cars and trucks. In addition, the new law does not affect four-lane divided highways that are not classified as a rural interstate.

Texting While Driving

Texting while driving is now considered a moving violation as of January 1. The new law prohibits a person from "operating a motor vehicle on a roadway while using an electronic communication device to compose, send, or read an electronic message."

Motorists may use an electronic communication device in hands-free or voice-activated mode, to report an emergency, while parked on the shoulder of a roadway, or if the vehicle is stopped due to normal traffic being obstructed and the vehicle is in neutral or park.

Truck drivers are permitted to read a message that is displayed on a permanently installed communication device, but not to reply.

Uniform Truck Width

As of Jan. 1, Illinois' legal vehicle width limit is 102 inches on all vehicles for all roads. Previously, 102-inch-wide vehicles were restricted to Class I and Class II highways only, and the limit for Class III roads and local roads was 96 inches.

Idling Fines in Chicago, East St. Louis

Beginning on Jan. 1, the fine for violating the state's 10-minute diesel idling limit increased from $50 for a first offense and $150 for a second offense to $90 for a first offense and $500 for a second offense.

Diesel engine idling limits are in effect only in the Chicago-area and in the Metro-East St. Louis-area. The engine idling limit remains 10 minutes per hour and the list of exemptions from the idling limit still remain in effect, including when the outdoor temperature is above 80 degrees or below 32 degrees.