In the News

Pioneer Press, February 8, 2007

Truckers who drive with excessive loads along U.S. Route 41, or otherwise fail to comply with traffic safety laws, are paying a price, thanks to stepped up enforcement efforts by Illinois State Police.

In the last two years, state police have beefed up staffing at its two truck weigh stations along Route 41 in Lake County, and those efforts are paying off.

In 2006, the total number of trucks weighed at the two stations was 432,200, compared to 388,828 in 2005. Total fines issued for violations were $436,889 in 2006, compared to $432,777 in 2005.

"I think we're stopping more trucks and ensuring the scales are staffed as much as possible," said State Police District 2 Commander Jeff Hedrich.

The southbound weigh station is located at Route 41 and Rosecrans Road, while the northbound station is near the intersection of Wadsworth Road. The weigh stations are generally open between the hours of 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays.

State Sen. Susan Garrett, D-29th, of Lake Forest, said she secured additional funding a few years ago to improve the condition of the weigh stations, which had fallen into disrepair, and increase staffing levels so that regular inspections could be performed.

Garrett said inspectors test the trucks to ensure they do not exceed legally permitted weight limits and fines are levied if there are violations. Checks also are conducted to ensure drivers have valid commercial drivers licenses and are not violating any traffic laws, she said.

Garrett said truck traffic along Route 41 has increased since early 2005, when the Illinois Tollway increased tolls for commercial vehicles, causing many truckers to use Route 41 instead of the Tri-State Tollway. She said heavy truck traffic has been a major topic of concern for many communities in her district including Lake Bluff, Lake Forest and Highland Park.

"We're doing everything we can to make sure the trucks that are driving through our communities are doing so in as safe a way as possible," she said.

Trucks that exceed the weight limits cause more damage to the highway and pose a greater safety hazard for other motorists because it takes trucks with heavier loads longer to stop, Hedrich said.

"I definitely think the efforts of the weight inspectors and troopers are making Route 41 safer for everybody," he said.