21K fine for overweight truck on the bridge in Naperville, IL

Hi,
Can anyone advise on my situation. I was on a regular truck route in Naperville, IL and after turning right on intersection to Washington Blvd. there was a weight limit 15 tons. I was already on that street and couldn't turn around. I decided to keep going thinking that I am still fine because there was also truck route sign. Truckers from my company regularly go to this street because they are filling up a Shell gas station right there ( which is before the bridge). But there was a tiny bridge that I crossed and State police was right after the bridge, they pull out their scale and I got 21K fine! That "Truck Route" was very misleading but police didn't want to talk about it. I called few attorneys but their fees are ridiculous like 30% of the reduced amount. Can anybody advise me on this or was in similar situation. I will greatly appreciate it!

 

I was going from east on 75th to Washington St. On 75th street is no weight limit sign, it is only on Washington. As I mentioned, we go on Washington regularly to deliver gas to the Shell gas station. So I didn't see a problem with that. The problem was that I had to continue on Washington pass the gas station ( where are truck route signs heading north) but I didn't know where the tiny bridge was until I was very close by and I had no other chance then continue. Right before the bridge there was a 15ton limit sign but that was too late. Since there was a truck route signage, I thought that there will be "truck route" to go around the bridge.

 

Thanks for your replies. I am asking for advice or if anyone was in similar situation? 21K fine for wrong turn is ridiculous amount.