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ILLINOIS STATE LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Today is the Illinois General Assembly's deadline for passing bills from the first chamber. Lawmakers will now be on a 2-week Spring Break before returning to Springfield when the Senate will debate House bills and the House will debate Senate bills. The 2014 Session wraps up May 31.
The Illinois Trucking Association has been actively involved in the legislative process again this year, representing the trucking industry at the Capitol. Several trucking-related bills passed the Senate this week.
Speed Limit Differentials - In January, the Illinois Trucking Association requested that IDOT reduce car speed limits in the Chicago-area where they had created a 15 MPH differential between cars and trucks: Cars at 70 MPH and trucks at 55 MPH.
(70 MPH speed limit sign with 55 MPH truck speed limit in background)
The department denied the association's request, so the Illinois Trucking Association was forced to initiate legislation that would raise truck speed limits from 55 to 60 MPH on those rural interstates just to reduce the speed differential back to a 10 MPH difference. SB930, sponsored by Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago), passed the Illinois Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 58-0. The bill now moves on to the House where it will be sponsored by Rep. Martin Moylan (D-Des Plaines).
2,000-lb Weight Variance for NG Trucks - Legislation initiated by the ITA that would grant a 2,000-pound weight variance for trucks powered by Natural Gas passed the Illinois Senate on Wednesday. SB 3574, sponsored by Sen. Martin Sandoval passed the Senate by a vote of 58-0. If the bill is passed by the House and signed by the governor, trucks that are powered by natural gas would receive additional weight limitation of 2,000-pounds on all roads except for federal interstate highways.
The weight variance is needed to compensate for heavier fuel tanks that hold CNG or LNG. SB 3574 now moves on to the House where it is sponsored by Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan).
Truck Towing Restrictions - Another bill initiated by the Illinois Trucking Association passed the Illinois Senate on Tuesday. SB 2932 would prohibit the practice of towing companies removing semis from an unauthorized lot by driving the vehicle away under its own power. Several ITA members have had their trucks "towed" by companies that quickly remove the semi, drive it to their impound lot, and then demand thousands of dollars in towing and storage fees.
SB 2932, sponsored by Sen. John Sullivan (D-Rushville), passed the State Senate on Tuesday by a vote of 55-0. The bill now moves on to the House where it will be sponsored by Rep. Dan Beiser (D-Alton).
SAFETY MAINTENANCE CONFERENCE: MAY 14-15
HOTEL DEADLINE IS MONDAY
Where can you hear from Illinois's FMCSA Division Administrator, IDOT Auditors, IL Secretary of State, IL State Police, receive certification for drug & alcohol testing, and learn about Natural Gas in trucking? It's all at the 2014 ITA Safety Maintenance Conference, May 14 & 15 at the iHotel & Conference Center in Champaign, IL.
The conference will be a valuable educational and networking opportunity for anyone that is involved with safety or with maintenance at your trucking company. Click on any of the links below for more information or to register. Monday is the deadline for hotel reservations. Be sure to register today.
Agenda and Registration Form
Sponsorship Form
Exhibitor Form
ITA would like to thank the following companies that have agreed to sponsor this year's event:
JJ Keller & Associates - Gold Level Sponsor
J&L Services - Awards Luncheon Sponsor
Georgantas Claims - Wednesday Lunch Sponsor
ITA MEMBER SEEKS EXPERIENCE DISPATCHER
Bedford Motor Service, a local trucking company, operating 100 power units, servicing Illinois and neighboring states, seeks an experienced dispatcher. Candidate must have five years steady experience with LTL & TL trucking dispatch, knowledge of the Chicago metro area, basic computer skills with MS Word and Exel and be familiar with DOT regulations. Bedford Motor Service offers a competitive compensation package. Interested persons should notify Dave Moss at 708-458-8030, ext 227 or [email protected]for consideration.
SITE SELECTED FOR TECHNICIANS COMPETITION JULY 18-19
The Illinois Trucking Association is pleased to announce that the first annual Illinois Technicians Competition will be hosted July 18-19 at the brand new campus of Universal Technical Institute in Lisle, IL. UTI is a nationwide provider of technical education training in the fields of automotive, diesel, and collision repair. Many ITA members already partner with UTI for training their technicians, so the ITA is pleased to partner with the school to host the Tech Competition.
Technicians should mark their calendars now for the Illinois Technicians Competition July 18-19. More details will be made available in the coming weeks. Winners from the state competition advance to the national Super Tech Competition in Orlando, FL in September.
HEAVY HIGHWAY USER TAX (2290) FILING MADE EASY
ITA has partnered with Express Truck Tax for easy access in filing and discounted filing fees when your company is filing the 2290 to the IRS.
The IRS has requested all companies file their Heavy Highway Use Tax online, for all units that are 55,000 lbs or more, and if the company has 25 or more units it is mandatory do to the online filing. To receive the Schedule 1 2290 immediately after filing you must file online using a third party. If you file on the IRS website you will not receive a schedule 1 2290 you will only receive the confirmation receipt that an efile was done. Be aware the Secretary of State will not accept the receipt confirmation. For licensing purpose they are required to have the Schedule 1 2290 with the e-file watermark and filing date imprinted on the Schedule 1 showing the VIN numbers and the filing category for each unit listed.
ITA members can go to www. ita2290.comfor the ITA filing page provided by Express Truck Tax. Follow the directions to set up your account and begin enjoying the convenience, ease and discounted filing fees for filing your 2290's. You can file new units at any time or do your renewals. When you are done entering the information you will receive a confirmation received notice through your email address you provided and then shortly after receive the stamped Schedule 1 through the email.
It's simple, easy and can be done right from your office, wherever that may be. The cost is calculated as you enter the VIN numbers and categories. You can file all units at the same time, including exempt.
2290 filings are due between July 1 through August 31, 2014 after that a penalty and per day interest will be assessed. For more information, contact ITA Director of Safety, Linda Blisset at [email protected] or call the ITA offices.
CSA SAFETY MEASUREMENT SYSTEM (SMS) WEBSITE UPDATED
The CSA Safety Measurement System (SMS) website has been updated with the March 28, 2014 snapshot. Check your safety assessment now at: http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/sms.
NOTE TO CARRIERS: There are two ways to access and view all of your safety data. Log into your Portal account (https://portal.fmcsa.dot.gov/login) or log in directly to the SMS website with your FMCSA-issued U.S. DOT Number Personal Identification Number (PIN) (NOT a Docket Number PIN). If you do not know or have forgotten your PIN, you can request one via http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/ and follow the instructions on the page.
ITA FLEET SAFETY AWARDS: ENTER NOW
The Illinois Trucking Association is seeking nominations for the 2014 ITA Fleet Safety Awards, presented by Great West Casualty Company. This year, fleet safety award winners will be recognized at an awards luncheon on May 15 during the ITA Safety Maintenance Conference.
Click here to download the entry form. Nominations must be received by April 16.
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