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Legislative Watch
LEGISLATIVE

Illinois

8/19/09-Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill into law Aug. 18 boosting the fines for idling violations. It took effect immediately.
Illinois law now prohibits diesel-powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 8,000 pounds from stationary idling longer than 10 minutes per hour in areas that include Chicago and East St. Louis, IL.
Violators face $50 fines for first offenses. Second or subsequent offenses within any 12-month period result in $150 fines. Certain exceptions apply.
The fine for first offenders increases from $50 to $90. Repeat offenses increase from $150 to $500.
Previously HB2664, the new law permits local law enforcement to keep $20 of the $90 ticket. But for repeat offenses, the agency will get more than 50 percent – $262. The rest of the money will be routed into the state’s general revenue fund and into a fund to educate truckers about the idling rule.
In place since 2007, the idling rule is waived when temperatures are less than 32 degrees or higher than 80 degrees. Truckers are allowed to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment necessary “to prevent a safety or health emergency.”
A separate provision in current law addresses truckers who many times are forced to wait for extended amounts of time to conduct business. Illinois law specifies that while waiting to weigh, load or unload cargo or freight, truckers are limited to idling for no more than 30 minutes per hour, “unless they are in a line of vehicles that regularly and periodically moves forward.”

6/3/09-A bill on its way to the governor’s desk would increase idling fines.
Illinois law now prohibits diesel-powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 8,000 pounds from stationary idling longer than 10 minutes per hour in areas that include Chicago and East St. Louis, IL.
Violators face $50 fines for first offenses. Second or subsequent offenses within any 12-month period result in $150 fines. Certain exceptions apply.
HB2664 would increase the first-offender fine from $50 to $90. Repeat offenses would increase from $150 to $500.
Local law enforcement would be allowed to keep $20 of the $90 ticket. But for repeat offenses, the agency would get more than 50 percent – $262. The rest of the money would be routed into the state’s general revenue fund and into a fund to educate truckers about the idling rule.
In place since 2007, the idling rule is waived when temperatures are less than 32 degrees or higher than 80 degrees. Truckers are allowed to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment necessary “to prevent a safety or health emergency.”
A separate provision in current law addresses truckers who many times are forced to wait for extended amounts of time to conduct business. Illinois law specifies that while waiting to weigh, load or unload cargo or freight, truckers are limited to idling for no more than 30 minutes per hour, “unless they are in a line of vehicles that regularly and periodically moves forward.”
For bill status, call 217-782-6010. In Illinois, call 800-252-6300.

5/11/09-The Senate Environment Committee voted 5-4 to advance to the full Senate a bill that would increase idling fines. House lawmakers already approved it.
Illinois law now prohibits diesel-powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 8,000 pounds from stationary idling longer than 10 minutes per hour in areas that include Chicago and East St. Louis, IL.
Violators face $50 fines for first offenses. Second or subsequent offenses within any 12-month period result in $150 fines. Certain exceptions apply.
Sponsored by Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Des Plaines, HB2664 would increase the first-offender fine from $50 to $90. Repeat offenses would increase from $150 to $500.
Local law enforcement would be allowed to keep $20 of the $90 ticket. But for repeat offenses, the agency would get more than 50 percent – $262. The rest of the money would be routed into the state’s general revenue fund and into a fund to educate truckers about the idling rule.
In place since 2007, the idling rule is waived when temperatures are less than 32 degrees or higher than 80 degrees. Truckers are allowed to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment necessary “to prevent a safety or health emergency.”
A separate provision in current law addresses truckers who many times are forced to wait for extended amounts of time to conduct business. Illinois law specifies that while waiting to weigh, load or unload cargo or freight, truckers are limited to idling for no more than 30 minutes per hour, “unless they are in a line of vehicles that regularly and periodically moves forward.”
For bill status, call 217-782-6010. In Illinois, call 800-252-6300.

4/21/09-The House voted 80-36 to approve a bill that would increase the fines for idling violations. It now moves to the Senate.
Illinois law now prohibits diesel-powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 8,000 pounds from stationary idling longer than 10 minutes per hour in areas that include Chicago and East St. Louis, IL.
Violators face $50 fines for first offenses. Second or subsequent offenses within any 12-month period result in $150 fines. Certain exceptions apply.
Sponsored by Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Des Plaines, HB2664 would increase the first-offender fine from $50 to $90. Repeat offenses would increase from $150 to $500.
As introduced, the bill called for boosting the fine for first offenders to $250. It also allowed for the ticket writing agency to keep 60 percent of the fine.
The version that awaits assignment to committee in the Senate would allow local law enforcement to keep $20 of the $90 ticket. But for repeat offenses, the agency would get more than 50 percent – $262. The rest of the money would be routed into the state’s general revenue fund and into a fund to educate truckers about the idling rule.
In place since 2007, the idling rule is waived when temperatures are less than 32 degrees or higher than 80 degrees. Truckers are allowed to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment necessary “to prevent a safety or health emergency.”
A separate provision in current law addresses truckers who many times are forced to wait for extended amounts of time to conduct business. Illinois law specifies that while waiting to weigh, load or unload cargo or freight, truckers are limited to idling for no more than 30 minutes per hour, “unless they are in a line of vehicles that regularly and periodically moves forward.”
For bill status, call 217-782-6010. In Illinois, call 800-252-6300.

3/17/09-The House Vehicles and Safety Committee unanimously approved a bill that would increase the fines for idling violations.
Illinois law now prohibits diesel-powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 8,000 pounds from stationary idling longer than 10 minutes per hour in areas that include Chicago and East St. Louis, IL.
Violators face $50 fines for first offenses. Second or subsequent offenses within any 12-month period result in $150 fines. Certain exceptions apply.
Sponsored by Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Des Plaines, HB2664 would increase the first-offender fine from $50 to $90. Repeat offenses would increase from $150 to $500.
As introduced, the bill called for boosting the fine for first offenders to $250. It also allowed for the ticket writing agency to keep 60 percent of the fine.
The version that advanced from committee would allow local law enforcement to keep $20 of the $90 ticket. But for repeat offenses, the agency would get more than 50 percent – $262. The rest of the money would be routed into the state’s general revenue fund and a fund to educate truckers about the idling rule.
In place since 2007, the idling rule is waived when temperatures are less than 32 degrees or higher than 80 degrees. Truckers are allowed to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment necessary “to prevent a safety or health emergency.”
A separate provision in current law addresses truckers who many times are forced to wait for extended amounts of time to conduct business. Illinois law specifies that while waiting to weigh, load or unload cargo or freight, truckers are limited to idling for no more than 30 minutes per hour, “unless they are in a line of vehicles that regularly and periodically moves forward.”
The bill is awaiting consideration on the House floor.
For House bill status, call 217-782-6010. In Illinois, call 800-252-6300.

3/2/09-A bill in the House Vehicles and Safety Committee would increase fines for idling violations as much as 500 percent. The department handing out the tickets would get the bulk of the revenue.
Illinois law now prohibits diesel-powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 8,000 pounds from stationary idling longer than 10 minutes per hour in areas that include Chicago and East St. Louis, IL.
Violators face $50 fines for first offenses. Second or subsequent offenses within any 12-month period result in $150 fines. Certain exceptions apply.
Sponsored by Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Des Plaines, HB2664 would boost the first-offender fine from $50 to $250. Repeat offenses would increase from $150 to $500.
The bill includes an incentive for local law enforcement to make sure truckers follow the letter of the law. For first offenses, the ticket writing agency would keep 60 percent of the fine. For repeat offenses, the agency would get more than 50 percent. The rest of the money would be routed into the state’s general revenue fund and a fund to educate truckers about the idling rule.
In place since 2007, the idling rule is waived when temperatures are less than 32 degrees or higher than 80 degrees. Truckers are allowed to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment necessary “to prevent a safety or health emergency.”
A separate provision in current law addresses truckers who many times are forced to wait for extended amounts of time to conduct business. Illinois law specifies that while waiting to weigh, load or unload cargo or freight, truckers are limited to idling for no more than 30 minutes per hour, “unless they are in a line of vehicles that regularly and periodically moves forward.”
The House Vehicles and Safety Committee was scheduled to consider the bill during a hearing Wednesday, March 4. However, the committee opted not to take up the measure.
With a March 12 deadline looming for the bill to advance from committee, the inaction by lawmakers could potentially be a fatal blow for the legislation.
For House bill status, call 217-782-6010. In Illinois, call 800-252-6300.

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