New law limits idling of diesel vehicles to reduce emissions and save fuel.

Diesel trucks and buses account for approximately 50 percent of the particulate matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) air pollution from on-road vehicles in Illinois. PM and NOx may contribute to a variety of health effects, including nausea, headaches, increased risk of asthma attacks, lung cancer, and premature death. Children and people with lung and heart conditions, are generally the most sensitive to diesel exhaust. Millions of tons of air pollution are emitted every year in the U.S. by trucks and buses that idle while parked.

The law took effect July 1, 2006, and it only applies in the Chicagoland area and in St. Louis Metro-East region. Exemptions to the law are described below. Another Illinois law prohibits a person from leaving a vehicle unattended on a public roadway for any amount of time while the engine is running. This law applies statewide.

On June 9, 2006, Governor Blagojevich signed Public Act 094-0845 into law, which prohibits diesel vehicles of more than 8,000 pounds (heavy-duty trucks and buses) from idling for more than ten minutes per hour when they are parked. This law will reduce diesel emissions that contribute to poor air quality while limiting unnecessary idling that wastes fuel. On average, one hour of idling uses up to one gallon of diesel fuel. A truck that idles for six hours per day will waste roughly $4,300 of diesel fuel per year. Excess idling also increases engine maintenance costs and shortens engine life.

"10/06"--Colophon.

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Diesel trucks and buses account for approximately 50 percent of the particulate matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) air pollution from on-road vehicles in Illinois. PM and NOx may contribute to a variety of health effects, including nausea, headaches, increased risk of asthma attacks, lung cancer, and premature death. Children and people with lung and heart conditions, are generally the most sensitive to diesel exhaust. Millions of tons of air pollution are emitted every year in the U.S. by trucks and buses that idle while parked.

The law took effect July 1, 2006, and it only applies in the Chicagoland area and in St. Louis Metro-East region. Exemptions to the law are described below. Another Illinois law prohibits a person from leaving a vehicle unattended on a public roadway for any amount of time while the engine is running. This law applies statewide.

On June 9, 2006, Governor Blagojevich signed Public Act 094-0845 into law, which prohibits diesel vehicles of more than 8,000 pounds (heavy-duty trucks and buses) from idling for more than ten minutes per hour when they are parked. This law will reduce diesel emissions that contribute to poor air quality while limiting unnecessary idling that wastes fuel. On average, one hour of idling uses up to one gallon of diesel fuel. A truck that idles for six hours per day will waste roughly $4,300 of diesel fuel per year. Excess idling also increases engine maintenance costs and shortens engine life.

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