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December 8, 1999 11:18 AM, EST

Illinois lawmakers provided relief to intermodal truckers who are often stuck with faulty equipment by passing a law that makes the owners of chassis, trailers and containers responsible for their condition.

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Illinois is the third state in the nation to pass a law addressing the issue of roadworthiness of intermodal equipment. Similar legislation was approved in South Carolina in 1998 and Louisiana in July. The federal government held hearings in November to debate whether a national law was needed.

The Illinois House voted Dec. 1 to approve the roadability legislation. The General Assembly had passed the bill in May, but it was vetoed with amendments by Gov. George Ryan in August. Ryan made minor changes that both chambers of the legislature accepted, clearing the way for the law to take effect July 1, 2000.

The law prohibits intermodal equipment in violation of federal regulations from being interchanged. It gives the owner of the equipment responsibility for its upkeep and requires them to reimburse truckers for any fines, penalties or repair costs incurred because of defects specified by the law. Violation of the law could result in a fine of up to $500.

For the full story, see the Dec. 6 print edition of Transport Topics. .