Republican Governor Bruce Rauner has declared a “harvest emergency” to help crop-hauling Illinois farmers compete with those from neighboring states. Rauner’s declaration allows haulers to exceed road-weight limits, while taking crops to market. The free permits are available from the Illinois Department of Transportation. Rauner signed the law on August 25th, in order to ease weight limits along Illinois roadways, but it would not take into effect until 2019. Rauner’s order will be effective from now through December 31st, so that the permits can be used immediately. The permits allow haulers to exceed certain weight limits, by no more than 10-percent on state and federal highways under the Transportation department’s jurisdiction. Interstates are not included on this order. Richard Guebert Jr. is the president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, and he says that the order will increase efficiency and offset uncontrollable weather or market problems.