In the News

News Sun, January 27, 2007

WADSWORTH -- A successful drive to increase hours and staffing at the Route 41 weigh stations in Lake County is paying off with a significant increase in inspections and fines.

According to Illinois State Police, extended hours of operation at the southbound weigh station on Route 41 are yielding greater numbers of trucks being weighed and increased fines.

The number of trucks weighed last year, 227,255, was up 30 percent over the 174,088 weighed in 2005. Fines totaled $246,278 in 2006, up 26 percent from 2005.

"These figures point out the importance of increased staffing and hours at the weigh stations," said state Sen. Susan Garrett D-Lake Forest, who led a multiyear lobbying effort for improvements and changes at the weigh stations.

"These southbound trucks are entering Illinois in violation of our weight requirements, and they are being detected and fined in growing numbers. It's imperative that we continue to provide oversight of these truckers to ensure that Route 41 is as safe as possible."

The weigh stations on Route 41 at Rosecrans north of Route 173 and in Wadsworth near Wadsworth Road are generally open Monday through Friday from approximately 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

State Police District 2 Commander Jeff Hedrich said police conduct thousands of commercial motor vehicle and driver inspections at the weigh stations.

"Our goal is to detect and enforce violations of the federal motor carrier regulations and take appropriate enforcement action," he said. "Fortunately, we find that the vast majority of commercial vehicle drivers voluntarily comply with state and federal rules, but we watch closely for those who operate unsafe trucks which pose significant dangers to all drivers."