New Law Modifies Truck Weight Limits to Increase Efficiency on Short Trips

EAST ALTON – August 22, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to help reduce fuel and equipment costs for trucking companies throughout Illinois. The new law allows the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to issue permits for loads that previously exceeded size and weight restrictions for travel on state highways if specific conditions are met.

“This law will significantly cut transportation costs for companies throughout Illinois to help them grow their businesses and put more people to work,” Governor Quinn said. “Common sense laws like this will help us continue to strengthen Illinois’ position as the nation’s inland port.”

Sponsored by Sen. William Haine (D-Alton) and Rep. Daniel Beiser (D-Alton), Senate Bill 42 applies to “divisible” loads that previously had to be broken down into separate shipments to meet the standard truck weight limit of 80,000 pounds. Examples include sand, dirt, gravel, stone, logs, scrap metal, fuel, milk and garbage.

The new law means IDOT can issue the necessary permits for a truck hauling a load in excess of 80,000 pounds if it is traveling less than five miles and will not negatively impact pavement conditions along its route. In evaluating whether a load must be split in to another load, IDOT also must consider the safety of other motorists and the effects on economic development in the surrounding community.

Any vehicle load found by IDOT to be non-divisible still must comply with the state’s established size and weight requirements.

“The Illinois Department of Transportation is committed to maintaining a safe, reliable system of highways while helping to improve the state’s business climate. This law allows us to do both,” Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider said. “We constantly are achieving new records in motorist safety. This bill ensures that progress continues.”

The new law goes into effect immediately.

###

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) announced $606,824 in grant money for the Waterloo Regional Airport and the Maquoketa Municipal Airport.

The Waterloo Regional Airport has been awarded $518,580 to purchase new snow removal equipment.  The Maquoketa Municipal Airport has been awarded $88,244 to acquire land needed to extend the runway to allow the airport to meet runway safety area and runway protection zone standards.

“This grant money will help these airports ensure the safety of passengers and employees,” Braley said. “Whether traveling for business or family vacation, Iowans rely on their community airports to be safe, secure and reliable. It’s critical we give Iowa’s airports the tools they need to provide the safest and most efficient service to their customers.”

These federal grants are awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and distributed through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

# # #

Law Will Improve Access to Up-to-Date Truck Route Information

CHICAGO – August 11, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to help the trucking industry operate more efficiently in Illinois. The new law requires local governments to provide the most up-to-date truck route information for the Illinois Department of Transportation to post online.

“Today’s action marks another important step we have taken to improve Illinois’ business climate,” Governor Quinn said. “Helping businesses operate more efficiently helps them create jobs and keep our economy moving forward.”

House Bill 1377, sponsored by Rep. Michael Zalewski (D-Summit) and Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago), requires local units of government to report their designated truck route network or lack of truck routes to the Illinois Department of Transportation. The information will then be posted online at http://www.dot.state.il.us/.

“This law will make it easier for trucks drivers to pick routes that comply with local ordinances and provide the most efficient way to transport goods,” Sen. Raoul said. “A more productive and efficient transportation industry will help ease congestion and minimize wear on roads throughout Illinois.”

Because global positioning systems for passenger cars do not contain the correct data required by truck drivers, the law instructs the Secretary of State to create a brochure illustrating distinctions between different types of GPS devices, and make the brochure available at all SOS facilities where an applicant may obtain or renew a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

“Illinois roadways host hundreds of thousands of motorists and truckers, and we know that by providing motor carrier operators with more information on local truck routes and applicable GPS devices, trucking industry productivity will be enhanced significantly,” said Acting Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider. “We are proud to be involved with this legislation, and look forward to its positive impact statewide.”

The law goes into effect Jan. 1.

###

New Law Strengthens Transportation Options for Seniors

CHICAGO – August, 9, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to protect volunteer drivers from being denied auto coverage or paying extra for car insurance premiums simply because the driver is a volunteer driver. House Bill 1378 also prohibits insurers from imposing a surcharge on or increasing the rate for a vehicle policy solely due to the fact one or more of the vehicle’s drivers is a volunteer driver.

“Many seniors rely on others when they need to go to the grocery store, pick up prescriptions or visit the doctor, and it is important that their volunteer drivers have the insurance coverage they need,” said Governor Quinn. “This legislation clears hurdles for the volunteer drivers who are helping our seniors maintain their independence.”

Illinois is home to more than 2 million adults ages 60 and older. Through the Department on Aging, the state administers programs to assist the most vulnerable seniors in remaining independent. With more seniors relying on transportation services to remain active and independent, a number of alternative transportation programs for seniors have been established in Illinois.

One such program is the Independent Transportation Network America (ITN), a public-private partnership with 16 affiliates in 12 states. The ITN service allows seniors who are unable or no longer wish to drive to donate their cars to ITN in exchange for rides from volunteers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Many ITN volunteer drivers use their own vehicles to transport or run errands for seniors. 

Volunteer drivers must verify that they hold the proper liability insurance, but differing policies among insurers have in some cases limited the number of available drivers; HB 1378 removes an impediment to the operation of nationally-affiliated transportation networks.

This legislation will help expand the pool of volunteer drivers for organizations operating in the City of Chicago and the counties of Bureau, Henderson, Henry, Knox, LaSalle, McDonough, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island and Warren. While insurers in these areas may not refuse or impose a surcharge based solely upon volunteer driver status, HB 1378 does not prevent the insurer from considering factors other than volunteer status when issuing policies or setting rates for volunteer drivers.

House Bill 1378, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Lyons (D-Chicago) and Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Cicero), goes into effect immediately.

###