Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Idle Reduction Requirement

A person that operates a diesel powered motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 8,000 pounds may not cause or allow the motor vehicle, when it is not in motion, to idle for more than a total of 10 minutes within any one-hour period. If the vehicle is waiting to weigh, load, or unload cargo or freight, it may idle for up to 30 minutes within any one-hour period. Applicable areas include the counties of Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry, Will, Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe, and the townships of Oswego (Kendall County) and Aux Sable and Goose Lake (Grundy County, as well as any other county with more than 3 million people but outside a municipality with less than 2 million people when within 200 feet of a residential area). Exceptions apply, including those pertaining to emergency vehicles, vehicle weight, traffic, auxiliary power unit use, remote starter systems, school buses, outside temperature, and more. (Reference Senate Bill 1256, 2019, and 625 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/11-1429)

Low-Speed Vehicle Access to Roadways

Low-speed vehicles may operate on streets with posted speed limits up to 30 miles per hour (mph) if authorized by the local government. Low-speed vehicles are allowed to cross an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of up to 45 mph. Low-speed vehicles may cross an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 45 mph if the intersection is controlled by a traffic light or a four-way stop sign. Local governments may restrict low-speed vehicle access on streets with posted speed limits of 30 mph or less if they determine that public safety may be jeopardized. A low-speed vehicles is defined as a four-wheeled motor vehicle capable of maintaining a speed of more than 20 mph, but not more than 25 mph, and conform to federal regulations under Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.500. (Reference 625 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/1-140.7 and 5/11-1426.2)

Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) Initiative

The Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Autonomous Illinois initiative was established to promote the development, testing, and deployment of CAV technologies and related infrastructure. IDOT partners with state agencies to:

• Review CAV research, pilot projects, and other relevant information to determine best practices for vehicle testing, technology deployment, law enforcement collaboration, insurance coverage, liability determinations, data-sharing arrangements, privacy issues, and infrastructure needs;
• Evaluate current laws and regulations applicable to CAVs;
• Pursue opportunities to make Illinois a leader in CAV transportation;
• Collaborate with industry experts on the latest developments in CAV systems, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and other innovative areas;
• Work with stakeholders to strengthen the sharing and analysis of CAV generated data to enhance planning, operations and maintenance throughout the state and identify areas of interest and potential pilot projects related to improved safety and mobility for the elderly, disabled, and underserved populations;
• Develop and implement a plan to address changing education and workforce training needs related to CAV technology development;
• Identify public-private partnership opportunities to increase efficiency in the transportation network and seek savings for taxpayers;
• Maintain a website to provide updates on the Autonomous Illinois initiative and offer educational resources for the public and interested stakeholders; and
• Inform Illinois agencies, partner entities, and the public about the work of the Autonomous Illinois and its findings.

Autonomous Vehicle Testing Program

The Autonomous Illinois Testing Program (Program) encourages the partnership between the state and entities developing and related infrastructure. The Program facilitates legal testing and programs on public roads and highways, and requires that a licensed driver remains behind the wheel. The Illinois Department of Transportation will create a registration system for entities wishing to conduct safe pilots or tests of connected and autonomous vehicles and will file a report with the governor on the status of the Program each December 31 and June 30 until the program ends. (Reference Executive Order 13, 2018)