Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner declared a statewide harvest season emergency on Nov. 5, says DeAnne Bloomberg, Rock Island County Farm Bureau manager, which allows trucks to haul 10% heavier loads based on the three forms of weight restrictions — gross, axle and registered.

For example, a single-axle allowed to carry up to 20,000 pounds may haul 22,000 pounds if properly registered under the HSE.

How do farmers obtain HSE permits? That depends on where you’re hauling, Bloomberg says.

Contact the Illinois Department of Transportation for state routes, the county engineer for county roads, the highway commissioner for township roads and local street departments for municipal streets.

The IDOT HSE permit is available by filling out an online form.

Drivers need to carry an electronic or printed copy of the HSE permit, a printed copy of the OPER 993 form and a printed copy of the governor’s declaration during heavy hauls.

Long time coming
HSE bill discussions began two years ago when Sen. Neil Anderson, R-District 36, was elected, Bloomberg says.  The bill was signed on Aug. 11, but required the governor’s declaration before permits could be issued. Bloomberg says the Rock Island County Farm Bureau urged the Illinois Farm Bureau to contact the governor’s office in October as farmers faced a turbulent harvest. “We had the spring that never ended and now a harvest that’s going on and on,” Bloomberg explains. “It’s start and stop, start and stop.”

USDA’s Nov. 6 Illinois Crop Progress Report places corn harvest 8% behind the five-year average at 83% complete.

HSE permits allow heavier loads for 45 days following the declaration. Rauner is the first Illinois governor to declare a harvest season emergency.

“This was a courtesy call,” Bloomberg says. “It really shows support from the state of Illinois for farmers and the ag industry.”

LaSalle County Farm Bureau President Bob Stewart hosted Rauner and Illinois Department of Ag Director Raymond Poe for the statewide harvest season emergency declaration. Several Illinois Farm Bureau representatives attended the event, including Brad Temple, LaSalle County/District 4 director; Marty McManus, Rock Island County Farm Bureau president; Tamara Halterman, Grundy County/District 5 director; and Jeff Kirwan, Mercer County/District 3 director.