Smoke Testing Proposed for Trucks

A proposal by Illinois House of Representatives Speaker Michael Madigan to require annual and random emissions tests for Chicago-area trucks is rankling motor carriers in the Windy City.

Legislation that Madigan introduced would subject the nearly 100,000 trucks registered in and around Chicago to annual emissions tests. All trucks could also receive surprise air pollution inspections conducted at weigh stations or during police traffic stops.

The bill, introduced Feb. 10, would add Illinois to the growing list of states that require truck emissions tests. Such programs are operating in 10 states, and seven more have plans to establish them soon.

The Illinois Transportation Association opposes the measure, calling it a costly and unnecessary truck-testing program.

For the full story, see the Feb. 22 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.