Section 554.601  Scope

a)         Permits may be issued for overweight vehicles and objects if they have been reasonably disassembled [625 ILCS 5/15-301] and the highway system can carry the weight.  Overweight moves may consist of only a single object.  Overweight equipment may be moved with normal components attached.

b)         The Permit Office may require verification of the weight of the vehicle and load prior to issuing a permit when there is reason to believe the requested weight is incorrect.  Permits are required for any overweight movement to or from a weigh scale over State highways for preliminary weighing of the vehicle and load.

Section 554.602  Legal Weights

See Form BT 753 and Section 15-111 of The Illinois Size and Weight Law.

Section 554.603  Exceptions to Legal Weights

Fire apparatus or equipment designed for snow and ice removal owned or operated by governmental agencies, implements of husbandry temporarily operated or towed upon a highway, and vehicles and loads operated by a public utility when transporting equipment required for emergency repairs are exempt from weight limitations.

Section 554.604  Practical Maximum Weights

All requests for overweight moves are considered.  However, due to the physical capacity of the highways and bridges, practical maximum weights have been established.  Although many bridges will not carry these weights, routes are generally available to most destinations.  These weights are: 

a)         6-axle tractor semitrailer combination 120,000 pounds gross; 48,000 pounds on drive tandem; 60,000 pounds on semitrailer 3-axle tandem.

b)         5-axle tractor semitrailer combination 100,000 pounds gross; maximum of 48,000 pounds on either tandem.

c)         4-or-more-axle vehicle (axle spacing 23 feet or more):  up to and including 76,000 pounds gross; maximum of 34,000 pounds on one tandem and 44,000 pounds on the other.

d)         3-or-more-axle vehicle (axle spacing 18 feet or more):  maximum 68,000 pounds gross; 20,000 pounds on one axle and 48,000 pounds on the tandem.

e)         2-axle vehicle:  maximum 48,000 pounds, neither axle exceeds 25,000 pounds.

Section 554.605  Superload Moves

Superload moves or moves on nonstandard vehicles or with nonstandard axle configurations may be authorized if allowable pavement and bridge stresses are not exceeded.  These moves normally require additional time for analyses.

Section 554.606  Maximum Weight on Chicago Expressways

The maximum gross weight that may be authorized on Chicago expressway is 88,000 pounds on five and six-axle tractor-semitrailer combinations, 72,000 pounds on four-axle vehicles and 60,000 pounds on three-axle vehicles.

Section 554.607  Movement to a Designated Scale

Sections 15-301(b) and (f) of the Illinois Size and Weight Law allow the permittee to travel to a certified scale to verify the axle and gross weights of an overweight load when the permittee is uncertain of the correct weights.  The following conditions apply:

a)         The permittee must, on his original application, request that he be routed to a certified scale, the location of which he has designated on the application.

b)         For superloads, the scale must be the nearest scale to the permittee's origin that has been certified by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (State weigh stations included).  "Nearest scale" for routine permit loads is defined as a scale within 25 miles of the permitted load's origin.  The scale must be certified by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (State weigh stations included).  However, if size and/or weight limits preclude the use of the requested scale, the permittee shall be routed to the first scale located within the route assigned by the Permit Office provided such scale is located within 25 miles of the permittee's origin or no more than ⅓ of the total distance of the permitted route, whichever distance is less.

c)         The permittee must indicate the requested routing.

d)         If any routes under the jurisdiction of local agencies are included in the routing, the permittee must provide evidence that he has secured approval from the local authority having jurisdiction.

e)         Due to the volume of permits handled, the Permit Office cannot assist the permittee in determining the closest certified scale.  By approving the routing to the scale as requested by the applicant and indicating the weight of the load is to be checked at a designated scale, the Permit Office in no way implies that it is the closest certified scale to the permittee's origin.  If a police officer finds there is a closer certified scale, he may require the driver to travel to that scale; however, it is that officer's responsibility to verify the routes can accommodate the load.

Section 554.608  Status of Permittee While Enroute to the Scale

a)         When the permittee has requested travel to a designated scale and the routing and scale have been specified in the permit by the Permit Office the permittee shall be deemed in compliance with the weight provisions of the permit provided the axle or gross weights do not exceed any of the permitted limits by more than the following amounts:

1)         Single axle                   2,000 pounds

2)         Tandem axle                3,000 pounds

3)         Gross                           5,000 pounds

b)         If the permittee is stopped by a police officer while enroute to the scale specified in the permit, the police officer may accompany the permittee to the designated scale and witness the weighing, or the officer may direct the permittee to a closer certified scale.  However, the officer assumes responsibility for ensuring the route he selects to the alternate scale can safely accommodate the load.  The officer may contact the Permit Office if he is unsure of the capacity of the route.

c)         If after checking the weights at the scale, the permittee finds the weights are within the limits indicated on the permit, he may proceed to his destination by the routes indicated in the permit.  However, the permittee must still stop at all open weigh stations along his route and is subject to all normal enforcement action.

d)         If the permittee finds the load exceeds one or more of the limits specified in the permit, but is within the tolerances indicated in subsection (a), he must contact the Permit Office and either obtain a revised permit as provided in Section 554.211 of this Part, or reduce his weights to those specified in his permit before proceeding.  Under the provisions of Section 15-301(f) of the Illinois Size and Weight Law, he is not subject to arrest for being overweight while at or enroute to the designated scale unless he is found to be in excess of his permit limits by more than the weight tolerance in subsection (a).

e)         If the load exceeds one or more of the limits specified in the permit by an amount in excess of the tolerances indicated in subsection (a), the permittee is subject to arrest if a police officer witnesses the weighing or if the permittee moves the load from the scale premises without either first adjusting the load to within the limits specified in the permit or obtaining a new permit that covers the movement.  There shall be no refund of fees for any permit so exceeded, nor will there be any reduction in the fee for the new permit.

Section 554.609  Movement of Off-Road Overweight Equipment

The distance that can be traveled on Illinois highways under a permit by overweight equipment such as a scraper or end loader that is not designed for highway travel, under its own power or towed, will generally be limited to a maximum distance of 25 miles.  Axle limitations will be based upon an analysis of the pavement utilizing the tire sizes specified on the application.  If any single axle exceeds 30,000 pounds, no structures may be crossed.