HIGHWOOD, Illinois – Numbers released last week by the Illinois State Police indicate that the extended hours of operation at the southbound weigh station on Route 41 are yielding significantly greater numbers of trucks being weighed and increased fines.

The number of trucks weighed last year was up 30% from 2005 (227,255 trucks in 2006 compared with 174,088 in 2005). Fines totaled $246,278 in 2006, up from $195,980 the previous year (a 26% increase).

“These figures point out the importance of increased staffing and hours at the weigh stations,” said State Senator Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest). “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 Rt. 41 is as safe as possible.”

The weigh stations on Rt. 41 at Rosecrans (north of Rt. 173) and Wadsworth (near Wadsworth Road) are open Monday through Friday from approximately 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., staffing permitting.

Capt. Jeff Hedrich, Illinois State Police District 2 Commander, added, “The State 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. 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.”