On Sunday, Nov. 5 Illinois Governor Rauner signed a Harvest Season Emergency proclamation.  The proclamation declares the Harvest Season Emergency statewide for 45 days.  This will allow trucks hauling agricultural commodities to seek a permit to increase the gross vehicle weight on their trucks by 10% on non-interstate state highways. 

Trucks needing permits visit https://truckpermits.dot.illinois.gov/. The Illinois Emergency Harvest Permit can be obtained at no cost for the next 45 days beginning on Nov. 5th. You’ll need to create a profile and log on to get your permit. The issued permit and the governors proclamation should be carried in the overweight vehicle. 

Local road jurisdictions (county, road districts, and municipal) can honor this Harvest Season Emergency proclamation, but you have to seek their approval. A note will be sent to the Pike and Scott County highway engineers asking them to honor the permit.

Farmers wishing to utilize the Harvest Season Emergency provisions of the law to allow a 10% gross vehicle weight variance must obtain a permit from the Illinois Department of Transportation.