SB1608 creates the Cargo Transportation Fee Act, authorizing municipalities and counties to impose a per-vehicle fee on interstate and intrastate carriers that transport tangible personal property for retail sale and receive that property directly from an intermodal facility located in the jurisdiction. The fee applies only when the carrier receives freight from a qualifying intermodal facility, and the bill sets a graduated fee schedule based on the commercial motor vehicle’s gross weight, ranging from $0.50 to $8 per transaction.
The bill also establishes a new Cargo Transportation Fee Fund in the State treasury and directs 95% of fee revenue to the Illinois Department of Transportation for road projects on state and local roadways used as trucking routes within five miles of the fee-generating intermodal facility. The remaining 5% goes to the Motor Carrier Safety Inspection Fund for Illinois State Police enforcement within 20 miles of the facility. The Department of Revenue would administer collections, returns, and related rules, and the bill incorporates portions of the Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act and penalty provisions to support enforcement and administration.
Impact
SB1608 would add a new local revenue tool for municipalities and counties near intermodal freight facilities, while also creating a dedicated state fund and amending the State Finance Act to authorize it. It would affect interstate and intrastate motor carriers, especially those moving retail goods from intermodal facilities, and would shift some transportation-related costs onto those carriers through a locally imposed fee. The bill would also require the Department of Revenue, Illinois Department of Transportation, and Illinois State Police to administer, distribute, and enforce the new fee structure and spending rules.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the available record shows no documented public debate or formal legislative sentiment in the materials provided. The bill’s structure suggests a policy rationale centered on funding roadway repairs and safety enforcement in freight-impacted areas, which may appeal to local governments and transportation advocates. At the same time, the proposal likely raises concerns for trucking and logistics interests because it imposes a new fee on carriers operating through affected jurisdictions.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely whether local governments should be allowed to impose a targeted fee on interstate and intrastate carriers using intermodal facilities, and whether that fee is an appropriate way to fund road maintenance and enforcement. Carriers and freight industry stakeholders may object to the added cost, the potential for uneven local taxation, and the burden on interstate commerce. Supporters, by contrast, would likely emphasize that the fee is narrowly tied to freight activity that contributes to roadway wear and that the proceeds are restricted to nearby road repair and safety enforcement.