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SB 1608

CARGO TRANSPORT ACT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Rachel Ventura

Local authorities may impose a weight-based per-vehicle fee on carriers picking up goods from intermodal facilities, funding cargo transport and safety inspection programs.

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Bill Summary · SB 1608

SB 1608 — Cargo Transportation Fee Act (summary)

Note: the bill text provided includes multiple unrelated state proposals. This summary focuses on the Cargo Transportation Fee Act portion that appears to be Illinois SB 1608 (introduced by Sen. Rachel Ventura), which matches the title “Cargo Transport Act.”

Purpose and intent

The bill authorizes local governments (municipalities or counties) to impose a per-vehicle fee on interstate and intrastate carriers that pick up tangible personal property from certain intermodal facilities when that property is transported for the purpose of retail sale. The stated purposes include generating local revenue tied to cargo movements and directing a portion of proceeds to motor carrier safety inspection activities.

Key provisions

  • Local option fee: On or after January 1, 2026, the corporate authorities of a municipality — or a county if the intermodal facility is in an unincorporated county area — may adopt an ordinance imposing the fee.
  • Covered entities: Fee applies to entities that (a) are interstate or intrastate carriers (as defined in the Illinois Vehicle Code), (b) transport tangible personal property by common carrier in Illinois for the purpose of retail sale, and (c) receive that property directly from an intermodal facility located within the adopting municipality or county. “Intermodal facility” is defined as freight transfer facilities (explicitly excluding airports).
  • Trigger and basis: The fee is imposed each time a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) owned by a qualified carrier receives tangible personal property directly from the covered intermodal facility.
  • Rate schedule: The bill sets a graduated flat-dollar fee per qualifying CMV arrival based on vehicle gross weight. Rates in the draft range from $0.50 (smallest weight bracket) up to $8.00 (vehicles over 80,001 pounds), with multiple intermediate brackets (e.g., $1, $1.50, $2, … $7.50).
  • Revenue distribution: 95% of fee proceeds are deposited into a newly created Cargo Transportation Fee Fund; 5% are deposited into the Motor Carrier Safety Inspection Fund.
  • Administration and reporting: The Department of Revenue administers the law. Carriers must file monthly returns (by the 15th) reporting and paying the fee for the prior calendar month; smaller filers may qualify for quarterly or annual filing. The bill incorporates applicable provisions of the Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act and the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act for enforcement, penalties, and procedural rules.
  • Local jurisdiction rule: If an intermodal facility spans multiple municipalities/counties, only the jurisdiction containing the majority of the facility may impose the fee.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Interstate and intrastate carriers (commercial motor vehicle operators) that pick up retail-destined tangible goods at covered intermodal facilities.
  • Secondary: Municipalities and counties (gain local taxing authority and revenue); state Department of Revenue (administration/enforcement); operators of intermodal facilities.
  • Indirect: Retail supply chains, shippers, and ultimately consumers (fees may be passed through in logistics/retail pricing).

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Effective date for imposition: January 1, 2026.
  • Creates the Cargo Transportation Fee Fund under the State Finance Act (use details partially enumerated in the draft).
  • Administrative obligations (registration, monthly/quarterly/annual filing, electronic payment) could create compliance costs for carriers.
  • The bill is a local-option revenue tool; adoption depends on each municipality/county ordinance.

Status / procedural history (from provided materials)

  • Introduced in the Illinois Senate (SB1608) by Sen. Rachel Ventura — bill text dated 2025 session; assigned to Revenue. The composite document contains actions from multiple states; confirm current status with the Illinois legislative website for up-to-date chamber votes, committee reports, or amendments.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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