Illinois farmers, including those in McHenry County, can now seek free permits from the Department of Transportation to exceed weight limits on Illinois highways during the 2018 harvest season thanks to a harvest emergency declaration issued recently by Governor Bruce Rauner.
“The 63rd District is home to an abundance of farmland, and this has been a tough summer for our farmers. By lifting these transport weight limits, Illinois farmers- including those right here in McHenry County- will now be able to move their crops from the field to the market more efficiently,” said State Representative Steve Reick (R-Woodstock). “Farmers in other states already enjoy higher weight limits for transport during harvest season, and the Governor’s recent action will help our farmers be more competitive.”
The Governor’s September 7 announcement came just days after he signed legislation creating a permanent system of permits for Illinois farmers to obtain higher weight limits for the vehicles which transport crops during the harvest season. The new legislation, HB 5749 (Public Act 100-1090), takes effect on January 1, 2019. The Governor’s most recent action makes the permits available immediately, just in time for the 2018 harvest.
More information on obtaining the permits can be found at the Illinois Department of Transportation’s website at https://webapps.dot.illinois.gov/ITAP.