Logistics Center Impact Fee Bill Introduced in Illinois

Last week, Illinois State Rep. Lawrence Walsh, Jr. (D-86), whose district includes parts of Channahon, Elwood, Joliet, Ingalls Park, Preston Heights, and Rockdale, introduced House Bill 4915, which would create a logistics center impact fee. This fee would be an annual fee imposed on the owner of each logistics center located in the State of Illinois. The impact fee will vary depending on how many trucks on average utilize the logistics center.

Specifically, a logistics center is defined as an area in which all activities relating to transportation, logistics, and distribution of goods for national transport, international transport or both are carried out by operators on a commercial basis. A logistics center would include distribution centers and warehouses. The impact fees would range from $0 to $15,000 based on the following formula:

• Average of 100 or fewer trucks per day during the 12-month period beginning on July 1 of the calendar year prior to the year in which the return is due (enacted date and year). The impact fee would be $0.
• Average of 100 to 250 trucks per day during the 12-month period beginning on July 1 of the calendar year prior to the year in which the return is due (enacted date and year). The impact fee would be $5,000.
• Average of 250 to 500 trucks per day during the 12-month period beginning on July 1 of the calendar year prior to the year in which the return is due (enacted date and year). The impact fee would be $10,000.
• Average of 500 or more trucks per day during the 12-month period beginning on July 1 of the calendar year prior to the year in which the return is due (enacted date and year). The impact fee would be $15,000.

All the funds collected will be deposited into the state’s road fund, which in recent years has come under scrutiny because less than half of the money deposited in the road fund went to construction costs. Most of the payments in previous years went to cover salaries at the Illinois Department of Transportation’s bond debt payments and other non-direct costs.

TIA will be working the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the State of Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) on addressing this issue.TIA needs your input and assistance to accurately gauge the impact of this proposed legislation. If your company has a warehouse or other logistics center that services motor carriers in Illinois, please send that information to TIA Advocacy at advocacy@tianet.org or call 703-299-5700.