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 The action bridges the gap between the 2018
harvest season and a new law the governor signed Aug. 25 that
takes effect next year. Going forward, that measure will allow
for an annual harvest-season easing of gross vehicle and gross
axle weight limits for agricultural commodities haulers with a
free permit.
“We have heard from Illinois’ trucking industry and from farmers
who are operating on thin profit margins in today’s agricultural
climate,” Rauner said before making his announcement at the
Ladage Farm in Auburn. “Today’s harvest emergency declaration
recognizes that the weight-restriction structure in place in
Illinois put our farmers and truckers at a disadvantage.
“They cannot and should not be forced to wait until the 2019
harvest season to reap the economic benefits of eased weight
limits,” he said. “Now they won’t have to as they take their
crops to market, processing or storage.”
The emergency declaration is in effect from Monday, Sept. 10, to
Dec. 31, 2018, and enables crop haulers to seek free Illinois
Department of Transportation (IDOT) permits to exceed legal
maximum gross vehicle and gross axle weight limits or the
vehicle’s registered gross weight, whichever is less, by no more
than 10 percent on state and federal highways under IDOT’s
jurisdiction, except interstates. (Federal requirements prohibit
inclusion of interstates.)
“We appreciate Gov. Rauner declaring an emergency situation for
the 2018 harvest season, especially in light of the declining
incomes and market turmoil which farmers are currently facing,”
said Richard Guebert Jr., president, Illinois Farm Bureau. “This
declaration opens the door for increased efficiencies for
farmers and truck drivers hauling agricultural commodities and
will help offset any uncontrollable effects of weather and
commodity markets, allowing farmers the freedom to move what is
projected to be a record-breaking crop.”
Permits will once again be issued at no charge, but applicants
must obtain a route authorization number every two weeks. The
harvest emergency permit and other information on the permitting
process can be obtained through IDOT’s automated permitting web
application at
https:// webapps.dot.illinois.gov/ITAP.
Rauner said the declaration will speed the movement of crops to
market, adding that the importance of an economically healthy
agriculture community in Illinois cannot be overstated. Illinois
is home to 71,000 farms on 26.6 million acres. Marketing of
Illinois’ agricultural commodities generates more than $19
billion annually, and the state’s food and fiber industries
employ nearly 1 million people. The state ranks third nationally
in the export of agricultural commodities, with $8.2 billion
worth of goods shipped to other countries, according to the
Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Meanwhile, the neighboring states of Kentucky, Missouri and
Wisconsin automatically ease highway weight limits at harvest
time.
“Our farmers feed the world, working tirelessly every harvest
season to get their crops from the field to market as quickly as
possible,” said Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA)
Director Raymond Poe. “We need to give Illinois farm families
every advantage we can to ensure they stay competitive with
farmers in neighboring states. We thank Gov. Rauner for
recognizing the need for a quick change to help our farmers this
harvest season without waiting until the new law takes effect
next year.”
Legislators also welcomed the declaration.
“Gov. Rauner and Director of Agriculture Poe are enabling
farmers a smoother, more efficient harvesting season, given the
weather,” said Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Raymond, who attended
today’s ceremony. “I supported the governor last year with this
announcement, and I stand with him today to ensure Illinois does
its best to help this pillar of our economy — the agriculture
industry.”
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She was joined by Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton.
“I applaud this decision to allow trucks hauling agricultural
commodities to obtain a free permit to exceed the gross vehicle
weight limit by 10 percent and help farmers harvest their crops more
efficiently,” said Severin, a member of the Agriculture and
Conservation Committee.
“I’m glad to see that our state is taking the steps necessary to
assist our agricultural industry at a critical time of the year,”
added Rep. Jerry Costello II, D-Smithton. “With livelihoods at
stake, we need to responsibly remove barriers for our harvesters and
ensure that their crop is brought to market. I am appreciative of
the effort on both sides of the aisle to make this emergency order a
reality.”
“I’m encouraged to see Gov. Rauner be proactive about
an issue that has unfairly restricted our farmers and hindered our
state’s ability to compete with our neighbors,” said Sen. Dale
Fowler, R-Harrisburg. “This decision to declare a harvest emergency
will serve as a bridge until House Bill 5749 takes effect next year,
providing relief to those in the agriculture industry and providing
some long-term assistance to Illinois’ farmers.”
“I support the harvest emergency declaration because our farmers
need every opportunity they can get to get their crops out of their
fields as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Sen. Paul
Schimpf, R-Waterloo. “A declaration such as this shows we value
their hard work.”
“Giving farmers additional latitude to harvest crops this year will
ease their burden and allow for commodities to get to the market
quicker, which is good for all consumers,” said Sen. Neil Anderson,
R-Andalusia. “Agriculture is the backbone of Illinois’ economy, so
anytime we can support farmers and the agriculture industry, it’s a
win for the entire state. I wish our farmers a safe and bountiful
harvest.”
“Harvest season always comes with unexpected delays and
unpredictable challenges,” said Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy. “This
declaration should pave the way for a smoother harvest season for
the farmers who feed our world.”
“With this harvest emergency declaration, farmers have the ability
to get more grain to the storage sites quicker. I appreciate Gov.
Rauner’s action and IDOT for developing a user-friendly application
process,” said Rep. Dan Swanson, R-Alpha, a fifth-generation family
farmer and member of the House Agriculture and Conservation
Committee.
“It’s that time of year when farmers have to harvest their crops
with limited time,” said Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville. “The
governor’s declaration will be very helpful to farmers as it can be
difficult to estimate the proper amount of bushels loaded on a semi.
Without this declaration, if a semi is determined to be overloaded,
the fine can actually be worth more than the crop itself. I’m glad
the governor declared the harvest emergency in order to help
Illinois’ No. 1 industry, agriculture.”
“Moving corn and other crops in a timely and efficient manner
affects the bottom line of hard-working farmers,” said Rep. Terri
Bryant, R-Murphysboro. “This declaration is an appropriate response
to an urgent need and I applaud the governor for taking this
action.”
[Office of the Governor Bruce Rauner] |
