URBANA, Ill. — Farmers in Illinois can move more grain in every truckload for the next 45 days. Todd Gleason has more…
The state, for the first time ever, has declared a Harvest Emergency. This is because rain has slowed the fall harvest. Governor Bruce Rauner made the announcement Sunday allowing each truck to carry 10% more weight.
Rauner: As of today, for 45 days, farmers can easily get a permit online with the Department of Transportation. I just hung up with Randy Blankenhorn an hour ago and he says the DOT is all ready to go. It can be turned around immediately for everybody that needs to increase their weigh load. So, to all the farmers around the state, there is expanded capability. You can carry 10 percent more weight in your trucks. Let’s get the products to market and support our farmers.
Under a new law Rauner signed Aug. 11, the declaration permits drivers of trucks carrying agricultural commodities over state highways to obtain a free permit to exceed gross vehicle weight limits by 10 percent. Further, local authorities may waive the permit requirement at their discretion. More information is available at truckpermits.dot.illinois.gov.
— Governor Bruce Rauner, State of Illinois
Todd Gleason, Farm Broadcaster
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