[braddesatnik]

Well, first off, I'm not trying to stir up trouble w/this post, I'm just hoping I can find some fellow members that may be able to assist me due to similar experiences. Well, here's the story. I moved out to Illinois (Peoria Area) in October for a temporary job and took a permanent job late Dec. I was pulled over by an Il Trooper in Jan, warned for out of state plates and lincense, mud flaps, illegal bumper heights, and ILLEGAL LIFT. I did some research to find out what I had to do to comply w/the law. I got Il plates, an Il license, installed mud flaps, and measure my bumper and frame heights (which were legal), but there was nothing in the Il vehicle code saying the lift was illegal, so i stopped there. I was again pulled over by the same cop this past week. He harrassed me again for the lift, at which point i showed him the Il vehicle code and the lack of legislation stating the lift was illegal. After 45 minutes of my time (and making me late for work), he let me go w/a verbal warning and added and illegal exhaust system to the list. Now here's the catch. SEMA had shut down a bill that limited exhaust noise output to more than the stock system this past summer. . .when I checked the code in january it stated you needed a muffler or a turbo for an exhaust to be legal. Well now the web site claimed a muffler no louder than stock was mandatory. Still no legislation dictating lifts being illegal, but he is standing by it. He claims he will implement the law to its fullest when he pulls me over the next time. This brings me down to two questions:

1) Can anyone confirm that the exhaust law did in fact pass?
2) Can anyone confirm that there is some obscure Il law that states lifts are illegal?

I am trying to conform to the law, but i like my truck lifted, and don't want to waste the money to unnecessarily lower my truck on behalf of a mistaken law officer. But, he will continue to pull me over until some action is taken to prove my legallity. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif Any help or input will be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[gilbert948]

I think I'd put in a call to this officer's superiors and let them know exactly what he is doing. Call your local news station to see if they are also interested in getting an exclusive.

Joe

 

[FallGuy]

Sounds like this guy got picked on in high school by somebody that looked like you. I always call the local DOT/DMV enforcement office here in Iowa and go over these things with them. Then carry state code numbers with you. If you ARE legal, ask for a citation next time and then explain to the judge that you have attempted to show the officer that you are conforming with the law and are simply being harrassed now. I did this once here in Iowa and the judge was irritated with the state trooper for wasting time. Never had a problem again. But then, we were not talking about a lifted truck although I see little difference if you are complying with the law. I would also make note of the name of the officer you talk to at the enforcement office. And although it will cost, I would recommend an lawyer to represent you. Worth more than continuing to be harrassed.


Another suggestion is to try and do most of your driving when the "Hot Donuts Now" sign is lit at the local Krispy Kreme. Heck, I don't even stop at red lights during this time.

 

[Jcart]

FallGuy,
"Heck, I don't even stop at red lights during this time."
Hahahahaa.......THAT SIR is the funniest thing I have read all day.....actually for some time....hahhahaaha.....Unfortunate for us Canucks we do not have Krispy Creme here....however we do have Tim Horton's and THEY know the're always fresh and hot......hahahaahhaaaa...

thanks again for the Humour.....

jrc

 

[riowilson]

[ QUOTE ]
This brings me down to two questions:

1) Can anyone confirm that the exhaust law did in fact pass?
2) Can anyone confirm that there is some obscure Il law that states lifts are illegal?


[/ QUOTE ]

I looked for IL vehicle code online but couldn't find it...but I can answer for Wisconsin which is probably/maybe similar.

1) In Wisconsin, under statute 347.39 - you can't have a muffler louder than stock. I am not familiar with the exhaust law you reference - but here, you are required to have one, and it can't be louder than the OEM muffler designed for your vehicle.

2) Covered under TR305.31 ( web page ) - with certain complications, the upshot is that here it looks like you are limited to 9" of lift.

Sorry to hear about your bad experience with the officer. Like any industry, there are always a few sour apples. Judges tend to be more reasonable, and I would think if you can find laws similar to the ones above - you can find out if you're legal or not.

Good luck

 

[pancartom]

i had a similar problem a few years back with one our town's finest. after being harrassed for 6 months, i took it to the chief. i won. he's gone.... retired, so i heard. seems like i wasn't the only one he pissed off.

 

[braddesatnik]

Thanks for the input and options for recourse. I want to get through this as wisely as possible and am eager to just put all this behind me. I did a search on Il vehicle code when i was pulled over in Jan and I printed of the section that was pertainent to suspensions. I then highlighted the sections that laid out the law for my specific truck (weight class and all). I also looked up the exhaust code because i was though it was really interesting that he didn't try to get me for that too, and to my suprise I was actually legal. When I checked this last time the law had changed (I was gonna print it off to show the officer the next time). Anyway, I was suprised to see they had changed the law, I looked it up on SEMA's website and they said it had been blocked last summer and had no further information on it. So I'm trying to find out if the law actually passed, of if the webmaster was over anxious in updating the site. The officer also told me that the vehicle lift statutes were not in the suspension area of the vehicle code and i needed to "dig deeper" to find the code. Well, i dug and coldn't find it, so i'm turning to you guys. Thanks for all the help so far, and keep the ideas coming. . .and if anyone can shed some light on the Il vehicle code, or put me in contact w/someone who could, i will be eternally greatful.

 

[freddyfast9]

I would contact my attorney and have him send them a nice letter.

 

[toalpi]

[ QUOTE ]
1) Can anyone confirm that the exhaust law did in fact pass?
2) Can anyone confirm that there is some obscure Il law that states lifts are illegal?



[/ QUOTE ] The old muffler law (12-602) still makes your system illegal. What is your frame height behind the front bumper, in the center, and in front of the back bumper? Do you have "stacked" blocks in the rear?

 

[braddesatnik]

My bumper mounting has not been modified so the frame height at the bumper shouldn't come into play (hence, i haven't measured it so i don't know), but my front bumper is 27" my rear bumper is 29.5" and my frame height between the front and rear axles is like 26". I have the factory block in the rear in conjuction with the alignment wedge that came w/the procomp lift.

 

[NEVRNF]

The last revision of the height law took effect 07-09-04
It is # 625 ILCS 5/12-608
It states front bumper height 28" and rear bumper height is 30 for all motor vehicles regardless of GVWR rating.
The old law was different depending on GVWR but they revised it due to a Local 4X4 shop that was changing the GVWR under a false loop hole. They have since been shut down and now the law has been changed to cover the loop hole.
The other thing some people do is to re license the truck with a D plate instead of a B. This will require a safty inspection and some cops feel if you are willing to pay the $$$$$$$$ for the D plate and take the time for the instpction twice a year that that justifies the pass on a ticket. I know guys running around with 46's and 49's on trucks and they never get a second look. I am going to bet you did something to attract the attention of the trooper and now he is just making your life miserable.

 

[Kanman]

So this officer is telling you that your illegal, but he cant state the code that you are breaking? I would definitely speak with this fellas superior, and I would also ask for the ticket. If you do go to court, make sure you have kept good notes, and bring copies of all info you've dug up on this subject. You will sound intelligent, the officer wont! Sounds to me like this guy is bored and isn't willing to let it go until his hand is forced. Nothing worse than a cop only knowing half the law!

I would certainly continue to be respectful and cooperative. You will eventually win.

 

[pabrannan]

I would think if he wanted you to comply with the law he would at least give you the info. that he quotes. I'll almost bet he doesn't have any idea!! And if he doesn't, can you say harassment?? Since we can't use ignorance of the law there should be an avenue for us (you) to be able to see what the law is without a lot of digging. I would get with a lawyer and see what your rights are with the situation and possible make the officer show you so you can research.
But what do I know? just my thoughts......


Paul B

 

[cmirabile]

Here is a good website to tell you your local laws. LexisNexis Law Resource

 

[Texascadillac42]

Ah, the wonderful cops around Peoria IL. I went to school at Bradley University, and for a year and a half ran a 94 F350 on 41" Michelins. It was lifted 9", and life was grand.........for about a year.

The first incident came with an IL State Trooper who pulled me over for "illegal lift". He asked how tall my truck was lifted, I said 9" and he immediately began writing a ticket without measuring anything. I asked what the violation was, and he replied that in IL, trucks can only be lifted 3". I corrected him by saying that they can only be BODY lifted 3". We both looked at the book and he decided to write the ticket anyway. I got warnings for bumper height, no mudflaps and no fender flares as well. Went to traffic court, and won after deliberating with the judge and this officer for 45 minutes. The law states that the body cannot be lifted from the chassis. So I asked the judge to look up the definition of Chassis in the ILCS, and he agreed that the law was indeed written for body lifts.

A few months later, I was pulled over on my way to school for bumper height. The officer measured the bumpers, both of which were over the legal limit according to her. (Trucks GVWR is 9200 lbs) So according to the old law I was fine since nothing over 9k GVW was mentioned in the ILCS. I pointed this out to her, she wrote the ticket anyway, and back to court I went. After a few minutes of explaining with the prosecuting attorney, I won. Didnt even see the judge.

The third time (and the deal breaker which caused me to sell the truck) came just 5 days after I received the prior ticket. Another officer pulled me over, and walked up to my truck, asked for license and informed me that he was going to issue a citation for bumper heights. I was curious as to why he would do such a thing without even having a measuring tape in hand. When I asked him, he immediately replied with the exact heights of my bumpers. The look on my face made him laugh, because he said "dont be surprised, Ive measured this truck in a parking lot, and I was just waiting to see you on the road". Back to court we went, and I won again, with the GVW rule. This officer was absolutely furious that I won, and on the way out the door of the courthouse, he informed me that he wasnt the only cop in town who knew about my truck.

Now I am all for being law abiding, and not causing trouble. And I know when to stand up for myself. But this caused me to lower the truck back down, sell it and move on. I could have kept driving the truck, but being a 21 (at the time) year old college kid, I just had no chance of getting away from this type of harrassment. The police chief was notified through a friend of this harrassment, but I know what battles to fight, and which ones to walk away from. The whole point to this novel I just typed is this

A) Both city cops, and state guys seem to hate lifted trucks in Peoria. No matter what you do, its not gonna stop you from getting pulled over eventually. Once they pick your truck out, you are a marked man.

B) The cops almost ALWAYS do not know the laws 100%. So if you get a ticket for lift laws, take it and fight it. Dont say anything to the officer, just keep your mouth shut, take the ticket and deal with it in court. Judges are much more laid back about these things than officers. It sounds to me as if they are trying to trick you into taking at ticket by being in "violation" of the lift law which only applies to body lifted vehicles.

In IL, it still remains that if you have an exhaust system that is modified to be louder then stock, you are in violation. Good luck with everything, and let us know if anything else develops.

 

[BadInfluence]

[ QUOTE ]
Judges are much more laid back about these things than officers. It sounds to me as if they are trying to trick you into taking at ticket by being in "violation" of the lift law which only applies to body lifted vehicles.

[/ QUOTE ]

I actually think the Judges are less "laid back" about it, which is why you are better off in front of a judge. You are innocent until proven guilty, which means the cop needs to "prove" his case. PITA, because you can be cited for anything. Just like you can be sued for anything, but you will likely win.

Next time I would politely ask for the specific code that deals with the lift. Just saying "look deeper" doesn't do it. If he can't cite you the code, or find it in his field book, he probably won't find it in court to prove you wrong. He probably won't show up though, and might continue harassing you.

I agree with the suggestion above to go over his head, explain that he you have shown the officer the code and that the officer can't cite the violation, and put the State Troopers' office on notice that you consider it harasment. If it continues without his citing you or proving your violation in court, it is harassment and you should sue. Just take notes every time he pulls you over. Document document document.

Hope this helps.

 

[Texascadillac42]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Judges are much more laid back about these things than officers. It sounds to me as if they are trying to trick you into taking at ticket by being in "violation" of the lift law which only applies to body lifted vehicles.

[/ QUOTE ]

I actually think the Judges are less "laid back" about it, which is why you are better off in front of a judge. You are innocent until proven guilty, which means the cop needs to "prove" his case. PITA, because you can be cited for anything. Just like you can be sued for anything, but you will likely win.


[/ QUOTE ]

Yea, we are saying the same thing. What I mean is, the judge doesnt have a stick up his a$$ about moving violations, unlike SOME police officers who are bound and determined to write tickets for "violations" as they see fit. I agree 100% that you are better off in front of a judge.

 

[braddesatnik]

Thanks for all the helpful insight, its nice to know i'm not the only one who has or is going through the ringer for our hobby. I had actually concidered selling the truck after getting pulled over the first time because i knew i was at that point a marked man, but my tranny was going out and I couldn't get anything for the truck w/a bum tranny. At that point I had to make a decision, and it was to put a BTS in it. . .guess that means i'm keeping it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif, can't recoup that investment. I will definately keep yall informed of how this proceeds, and document the people that I contact who may be beneficial for others in the Peoria area who befall the same circumstances as myself. Oh, and keep the suggestions coming, I'm always open to ideas that I haven't thought about yet.

 

[Musclford]

[ QUOTE ]
Well, first off, I'm not trying to stir up trouble w/this post, I'm just hoping I can find some fellow members that may be able to assist me due to similar experiences. Well, here's the story. I moved out to Illinois (Peoria Area) in October for a temporary job and took a permanent job late Dec. I was pulled over by an Il Trooper in Jan, warned for out of state plates and lincense, mud flaps, illegal bumper heights, and ILLEGAL LIFT. I did some research to find out what I had to do to comply w/the law. I got Il plates, an Il license, installed mud flaps, and measure my bumper and frame heights (which were legal), but there was nothing in the Il vehicle code saying the lift was illegal, so i stopped there. I was again pulled over by the same cop this past week. He harrassed me again for the lift, at which point i showed him the Il vehicle code and the lack of legislation stating the lift was illegal. After 45 minutes of my time (and making me late for work), he let me go w/a verbal warning and added and illegal exhaust system to the list. Now here's the catch. SEMA had shut down a bill that limited exhaust noise output to more than the stock system this past summer. . .when I checked the code in january it stated you needed a muffler or a turbo for an exhaust to be legal. Well now the web site claimed a muffler no louder than stock was mandatory. Still no legislation dictating lifts being illegal, but he is standing by it. He claims he will implement the law to its fullest when he pulls me over the next time. This brings me down to two questions:

1) Can anyone confirm that the exhaust law did in fact pass?
2) Can anyone confirm that there is some obscure Il law that states lifts are illegal?

I am trying to conform to the law, but i like my truck lifted, and don't want to waste the money to unnecessarily lower my truck on behalf of a mistaken law officer. But, he will continue to pull me over until some action is taken to prove my legallity. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif Any help or input will be much appreciated.

Thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

First off, can I assume you may be working for the big yeller worm? (CAT)

Second, I may take a ride up to Germantown / Metamora area (State Police Headquarters) and talk very respectfully to someone in charge. Actually, you may want to call first to find out who you could talk to. Respectfully is key. Go in with an attitude, and your probably not gonna go anywhere.

I would then explain the situation and see what they say. I would add that if the exhaust is "too loud" how do they justify the MANY Harleys / Choppers exhaust. I love it mind you, but it is 10 times louder than a 7.3 w/o muffler. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif

That's at least what I would do?

If your in EP, don't go to the EP headquarters.. The chief has SMS (Your truck is probably tall enough he could walk under it) and more than likely would tell you to lower it and put on some exhaust. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

BTW, there are plenty of lifted trucks in EP and Washington. SD's specifically...

Just a couple suggs.

Musclford

 

[braddesatnik]

Close, i work for a consulting firm that works with Cat. Thanks for the heads up on where to and not to go. I've been thinking about heading to a head quarters, but wasn't sure which one would be most advantageous. I'll probably make call out there and have someone take a look at it for me.