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Illinois harvest emergency eases way for haulers

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has eased the weight limits for ag commodity haulers this harvest season. A bill the governor signed into law in late August would ease the gross vehicle and gross axle weight limits with a free permit but not until the 2019 harvest season. Rauner says his harvest emergency declaration will bridge that gap – in effect September 10th through December 31st this year. Permits will be issued at no charge but applicants have to get a route authorization number every two weeks.

Rauner says the waiver will “speed the movement of crops to market” and help level the playing field between Illinois farmers and crop haulers and those in neighboring states. Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin automatically ease highway eight limits during harvest season.

Illinois Farm Bureau President Rich Guebert says the emergency declaration is much appreciated “especially in light of the declining incomes and market turmoil which many farmers are facing.”