GENERAL PROVISIONS (9-114-010 et seq.)

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 9, ch. 9-114, art. I

in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-010 Definitions.

9-114-010 Definitions. The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this chapter: "Charter/sightseeing vehicle" means a public passenger vehicle for hire principally on charter trips or sightseeing tours or both. Provided, however, in Sections 9-114-315 and 9-114-320, the term "charter/sightseeing vehicle" shall refer to a vehicle for hire principally on charter trips or sightseeing tours or both, with a passenger capacity of fifteen or more, regardless of whether it is licensed as a public passenger vehicle or regulated as to licensure or registration by another jurisdiction. "Charter trip" means a group trip in a charter/sightseeing vehicle arranged in advance at a fixed rate per vehicle. "Commissioner" means the City's Commissioner of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection or the Commissioner's designee. "Council" means the City Council of the City of Chicago. "Licensee" means any person to whom one or more licenses have been issued pursuant to this chapter. "Livery vehicle" means a public passenger vehicle for hire only at a charge or fare for each passenger per trip or for each vehicle per trip fixed by agreement in advance. "Low-speed electric public passenger vehicle" means: (i) a three-wheeled or four-wheeled vehicle; (ii) exclusively powered by an electric motor that is capable of propelling the vehicle at a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour on a paved level surface; and (iii) which is used for the transportation of passengers for hire. "Medical carrier" means any privately owned public passenger vehicle which is specifically designed, constructed or modified and equipped and is maintained or operated for the nonemergency transportation of persons for compensation for the purpose of obtaining medical services, or persons with disabilities for any purpose. "Medical carrier owner" means a person engaged in business as owner of one or more medical carriers. "Operation expenses" means all charges, costs and expenses properly incurred for any given period in accordance with good accounting practice in connection with a licensee's public passenger vehicle operations. "Place of business in the City of Chicago" means: (1) a location within the City where the City may send, and the licensee shall accept, notices of hearing or other notices from the City; and (2) a location within the City where a licensee maintains its business and financial records relating to the licenses involved. "Public passenger vehicle" means a motor vehicle, as defined in the motor vehicle law of the State of Illinois, which is used for the transportation of passengers for hire, excepting those (1) devoted exclusively for funeral use; (2) in operation of a metropolitan transit authority; (3) interstate carriers licensed for the transportation of passengers by the United States Department of Transportation solely to the extent that specific regulation of such vehicles by the City is preempted by federal law; (4) interstate carriers operating pursuant to and in conformity with a certificate of authority issued by the Illinois Commerce Commission solely to the extent that specific regulation of such vehicles by the City is prohibited by federal or state law; (5) taxicabs regulated pursuant to Chapter 9-112 of this Code; and (6) vehicles used to provide a transportation network service pursuant to Chapter 9-115. Public passenger vehicles included in the provisions of this chapter include, but are not limited to, livery vehicles, charter/sightseeing vehicles, jitney car services, medical carrier vehicles, and low-speed electric public passenger vehicles. "Restricted chauffeur" means the driver of a public passenger vehicle licensed by the City as a restricted public chauffeur and who may drive any public passenger vehicle except a taxicab. "Sightseeing tour" means a tour in a public passenger vehicle which is available to the general public, including prearranged groups, in accordance with a published schedule or itinerary at a charge per passenger or per vehicle and which includes a lecture or material regarding the subject matter of the sightseeing tour. "Solicit" means an appeal by words or gestures for immediate patronage of a public passenger vehicle by the licensee or his agent upon the public way attempting to direct people to a public passenger vehicle that is parked, stopped, standing or moving upon the public way. "Two-way dispatch system" means a method of communication by which a dispatcher may communicate simultaneously or individually with the drivers of all vehicles in an organization and for each driver to communicate with the dispatcher, so long as the manner of usage of such device while driving a public passenger vehicle does not violate City, State or Federal regulations. For purposes of this definition the term "organization" refers to the licensee and all vehicles for which a license is owned or controlled by the licensee. "Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle" or "WAV" means a vehicle that a person in a wheelchair may enter and exit independently or with assistance while seated in a wheelchair. A WAV shall safely secure and restrain the wheelchair. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 5-28-14, p. 82771, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 4-19-17, p. 47373, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61913, § 11; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 7; Amend Coun. J. 10-27-21, p. 39525, § 11)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-020 License required.

9-114-020 License required. (a) It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle, or for the registered owner thereof to permit it to be operated, for the transportation of passengers for hire within the city unless it is licensed by the city as a public passenger vehicle pursuant to this chapter, or as a taxicab pursuant to Chapter 9-112, or used to provide a transportation network service pursuant to Chapter 9-115. (b) Subject to the conditions and limitations of this chapter, the city grants exclusive permission and authority to the licensees hereunder to operate public passenger vehicles licensed hereunder unless rescinded, terminated, or revoked as hereinafter provided. (c) It shall be unlawful for any taxicab or public passenger vehicle not licensed or required to be licensed as such by the city to solicit or accept business within the corporate boundaries of the city, except where such vehicle is licensed in the community that the passengers have as their destination, and then only when such transportation has been arranged in advance and no intermediate stops are made within the city. (d) A public passenger vehicle licensed by another jurisdiction may come into the city to discharge passengers whose trip originated from outside of the city or to transport passengers through the city without stopping. While the vehicle is in the city no roof light or other special light shall be used to indicate that the vehicle is vacant or subject to hire, and a white card printed in black letters, or a digital sign, bearing the words "Not For Hire" with text size not less than two inches in height shall be displayed at the windshield of the vehicle, and the vehicle may make no stops other than the destination. (e) Any person who solicits or transports passengers for hire, and the registered owner of any motor vehicle who permits such solicitation and transportation, in violation of this chapter, including, without limitation, Sections 9-114-315 and 9-114-320, are subject to fines, vehicle impoundment, and other applicable penalties. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 5-28-14, p. 82771, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 4-19-17, p. 47373, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-025 Temporary permits - Fees.

9-114-025 Temporary permits - Fees. The commissioner may issue temporary permits for the operation within the city of a public passenger vehicle not licensed by the city, or any charter/ sightseeing vehicle regardless of where it is licensed or registered, where the use within the city is for a special event or for a specific purpose. The daily fee for a temporary permit under this section shall not exceed $100.00 per vehicle. Such vehicles shall be subject to all applicable provisions of Chapters 9-104, 9-112, and 9-114, as applicable, of the Chicago Municipal Code as well as all rules and regulations properly promulgated pursuant to Chapters 9-104, 9-112, and 9-114. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 6-6-12, p. 28356, § 21; Amend Coun. J. 4-19-17, p. 47373, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-030 Application for license.

9-114-030 Application for license. An applicant must apply for the issuance or renewal of a license using a print or electronic from prescribed by, and as directed by, the commissioner and accompanied by such documents as the commissioner may require. If the applicant is a corporation or partnership, then its duly authorized agent can apply on behalf of the applicant. An applicant for a license who intends to operate one or more charter/sightseeing vehicles shall include as part of the application, and update as necessary, the address(es) where all vehicles in the licensee's fleet are kept when not in use. Any changes made to the information submitted on the application or any material changes made to the licensee's personal or businesses operations or to any information provided under this chapter must be reported, in writing, to the commissioner within four business days of the change. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 4-19-17, p. 47373, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-040 Qualifications for license.

9-114-040 Qualifications for license. (a) In order to qualify for a license, whether upon initial application or upon application for renewal of a license: (1) an applicant shall be in compliance with all City, State of Illinois and Federal laws, and the provisions of this chapter; and (2) an applicant shall have a place of business in the City of Chicago: (i) with respect to any corporate applicant, the corporation shall be organized or qualified to do business under the laws of Illinois and have a place of business in the City of Chicago; or (ii) with respect to a partnership applicant, the partnership shall have a place of business in the City of Chicago; or (iii) with respect to any applicant other than a corporation or partnership, he shall reside and be domiciled in the City of Chicago; and (3) an applicant must successfully complete a course of study which the Commissioner may prescribe by rule; and (4) an applicant must register with the Department of Finance to pay the City's ground transportation tax, as required under Chapter 3-46 of this Code. (5) an applicant does not owe debt to the City as the term "debt" is defined in Section 4-4-150 of this Code. (b) In determining whether an applicant is qualified for a license, or the renewal thereof, the Commissioner shall take into consideration: (1) The character and reputation of the applicant or its members, officers or directors, including, if applicable, the disciplinary record of the applicant in the operation of his taxicab vehicle and the disciplinary record of the applicant, or of any officer or director of a corporate applicant, as a public chauffeur; (2) The applicant's financial ability to render lawful, safe, suitable and comfortable service and to maintain or replace the equipment for such service; (3) The applicant's ability to maintain mandated insurance (including but not limited to liability and worker's compensation) for the payment of personal injury, death, property damage, or other insurable claims; (4) The applicant's financial ability to pay all judgments and awards which may be rendered for any cause arising out of the operation of a public passenger vehicle. (c) No applicant is eligible for a license if: (1) any Chicago taxicab or public passenger vehicle license or any Chicago public chauffeur license or restricted public chauffeur license of the applicant, or any officer or director of a corporate applicant or partner in a partnership applicant, has held (i) was revoked within the previous three years; or (ii) was denied, rescinded, within the 12-month period preceding the date of application; or (2) if the applicant, or any officer or director of a corporate applicant or partner in a partnership applicant, within the three years immediately preceding the date of his application, has been either convicted, or in custody, under parole or under any other noncustodial supervision resulting from a conviction in a court of any jurisdiction for the commission of any felony as defined by Article 2 of the Illinois Criminal Code of 1961, as amended, or its equivalent under federal or other jurisdictional law. Provided, however, that this subsection (c) shall not apply to any conviction for a minor cannabis offense, as defined in Section 4-4-005. In the case of a company licensee, if any officer, member, shareholder or director of the licensee is convicted of a felony, the licensee shall sever its relationship with any such officer, shareholder or director immediately upon such conviction or any license issued to such company licensee shall be subject to revocation pursuant to Section 9-114-190. (d) The total number of licenses that each licensee holds will be based on the total licenses in each corporation, or legal entity, in which the licensee holds a 25 percent or greater share of ownership interest including, but not limited to, stocks and shares. No person shall own in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, or have a security interest in more than 25 percent of, the authorized licenses issued under Chapters 9-112 and 9-114. (e) Eligibility for issuance of any license under this chapter shall be a continuing requirement for maintaining such license. (f) As part of the application process, all officers, directors, shareholders and members of the applicant shall submit to a fingerprint background check by a fingerprint agency approved by the Department and submit passport-sized photos of such officers, directors, shareholders and members. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 12-10-14, p. 101074, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. IX, § 25; Amend Coun. J. 1-27-21, p. 26741, Art. II, § 13; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 7; Amend Coun. J. 10-27-21, p. 39525, § 11)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-050 Investigation and issuance of license.

9-114-050 Investigation and issuance of license. (a) Upon receipt of an application for the issuance or renewal of a license, the Commissioner may investigate the applicant for compliance with this Code, including but not limited to: (1) the character and reputation of the applicant; and (2) the ability of the applicant to render safe transportation service, to maintain or replace the equipment for such service, and to pay all fees, fines, taxes, judgments and awards which may be rendered for any cause arising out of the operation of a taxicab during the license period. (b) Every applicant shall be required to submit to a criminal background check and shall provide photos of the applicant as required by the Commissioner. Applicants shall be responsible for the costs of the criminal background check and photos. (c) As part of the application process, fees sufficient to cover the costs of processing the criminal background check and photos will be assessed in addition to the license fees set forth in Section 9-114-070 of this Code. The criminal background check and photo fees will be assessed regardless of whether the license applied for is issued or denied. The amount of the fees shall be set forth in rules promulgated by the Commissioner. (d) The licensee shall provide a vehicle that is in safe and proper condition at the time the license is issued; and shall register the vehicle in applicant's name or, in the case of a leased vehicle, shall provide a copy of the lease, in a form acceptable to the Commissioner, that must cover at least the duration of the license for that vehicle and must include an acknowledgment by the lessor of the vehicle that such lessor has given his consent for the vehicle to be used as a public passenger vehicle as licensed. (e) All licenses issued pursuant to this chapter are the property of the City of Chicago, and all of the licensee's privileges due to holding that license are subject to rescission, revocation and termination. (f) All licenses shall expire on the date noted on the license unless renewed prior to the date of expiration or as specified by rule. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. IX, § 26)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-060 Unlawful to operate a public passenger vehicle with meter.

9-114-060 Unlawful to operate a public passenger vehicle with meter. It is unlawful for any person to operate or drive a public passenger vehicle equipped with a meter which registers a charge of any kind. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-070 License fees.

9-114-070 License fees. The license fee for each public passenger vehicle of the class herein set forth is as follows: Livery vehicle | $1,200.00 for a two-year licensing term from December 16 to December 15 Charter / sightseeing vehicle | $1,000.00 for a one-year licensing term from July 1 to June 30 Medical carrier vehicle | $600.00 for a one-year licensing term from July 1 to June 30 Jitney car service vehicle | $250.00 for a one-year licensing term from July 1 to June 30 Low-speed electric public passenger vehicles | $500.00 for a one-year licensing term from July 1 to June 30 The license fee shall be paid before the license is issued. The license fee is non-refundable and shall not be prorated except regarding livery vehicles to establish the initial staggering of license renewals. All licenses shall expire on the date noted on the license unless renewed prior to the date of expiration. In order to renew a license, a licensee must renew with the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and pay the license fee before the expiration date of the current license term. A license not renewed with payment of the full license fee prior to its expiration date shall be considered lapsed, and any vehicle operated under a lapsed license shall be considered an unlicensed public passenger vehicle. A lapsed license may be renewed for up to one year after expiration of the license term upon payment of the full license fee and the license type’s respective late fee. Other than livery vehicle licenses, which shall have a late fee of $150, all other late fees shall be set as provided in Section 4-4-260 of the Code. The Commissioner may permit the renewal of a license lapsed for more than one year upon the payment of an additional late fee for each year lapsed. For a livery vehicle license, except as provided in this section, the license fee shall be paid upon the issuance of any new license or the renewal of any existing license. In order to establish the staggering of the total livery vehicle licenses due for renewal across the two-year license term, the Commissioner is authorized to issue initial or renewed livery vehicle licenses for a one-year or two-year license terms. The one-year livery vehicle license fee shall be half the amount of the fee for a two-year livery vehicle license. At the end of the one-year term of any such license issued for this purpose, the licensee shall be renewed for a two-year term. The method used to establish a staggering of license renewals across the two-year license term shall be through issuing new or renewed livery vehicle licenses such that odd numbered licenses expire in odd numbered years and even numbered licenses expire in even numbered years. The Commissioner is authorized to set the renewal process for each category of public passenger vehicles by rules and regulations. Nothing in this section shall affect the right of the City to impose or collect a vehicle tax and any occupational tax, as permitted by law, in addition to the license fee herein provided. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 7; Amend Coun. J. 12-19-25, p. 38125, Art. IV, § 6)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-080 Liability for actions of a restricted public chauffeur.

9-114-080 Liability for actions of a restricted public chauffeur. The licensee shall be liable for all violations of this chapter or rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by a restricted public chauffeur operating the licensee's public passenger vehicle if an administrative law officer or a court of competent jurisdiction has found the restricted public chauffeur liable for three or more such violations within any two-year period. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-090 Dispatch.

9-114-090 Dispatch. All licensees have an affirmative duty to respond to requests for service and are responsible for the actions of any employee, restricted chauffeur, two-way dispatch service, or other person that reports to, or acts as an agent of, the licensee, for any failure to respond to a request for service. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-100 Reserved. Editor’s note – Coun. J. 11-15-23, p. 6542, Art. VII, § 11, repealed § 9-114-100, which pertained to license emblem to be affixed.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-105 License ineligibility - Indebtedness and child support.

9-114-105 License ineligibility - Indebtedness and child support. (a) Indebtedness: All licensees must be in good standing with the City in reference to debt pursuant to and as defined in section 4-4-150 of this Code. (b) Child support: All licensees must be in compliance with court-ordered child support pursuant to and as defined in section 4-4-152 of this Code. (Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 7)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-110 Reserved. Editor’s note – Coun. J. 12-19-25, p. 38125, Art. IV, § 6, repealed § 9-114-110, which pertained to unlawful to operate vehicle without current emblem.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-120 Reserved. Editor’s note – Coun. J. 12-19-25, p. 38125, Art. IV, § 6, repealed § 9-114-120, which pertained to tampering with license emblem unlawful – penalty.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-130 Reserved. Editor’s note – Coun. J. 12-19-25, p. 38125, Art. IV, § 6, repealed § 9-114-130, which pertained to replacement of damaged or stolen license emblems – fee.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-140 License card.

9-114-140 License card. (a) The Commissioner shall provide a license card for each licensed public passenger vehicle. This license card must be displayed on the dashboard of the public passenger vehicle. At a minimum, this license card shall contain the name of the licensee and the license number of the public passenger vehicle. The Commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules for additional conditions of license card display and for replacement license card fees. (b) The restricted chauffeur license of the driver of the public passenger vehicle must also be displayed next to the license card. (c) No person may operate a public passenger vehicle unless the license card and driver’s restricted chauffeur license is displayed as provided in this section. (d) It shall be unlawful for any person to tamper with or alter the license card for any public passenger vehicle. Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine of not less than $250.00 nor more than $3,000 for each offense, and if the person is a public passenger vehicle licensee, the public passenger vehicle license for the vehicle shall be revoked. (e) In the event a license card is lost or stolen, the licensee shall furnish to the Commissioner a police report stating the facts pertaining to the loss or theft, and after review, the Commissioner may issue a duplicate license card for a fee set by rules. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-15-23, p. 6542, Art. VII, § 12; Amend Coun. J. 12-19-25, p. 38125, Art. IV, § 6)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-150 Public passenger vehicle specifications.

9-114-150 Public passenger vehicle specifications. (a) Any vehicle which has ever been issued the title class of either "salvage," "rebuilt," "junk," "total loss," or any equivalent classification in any jurisdiction is not eligible for operation as a public passenger vehicle. (i) It is the affirmative duty of the licensee to ascertain that the public passenger vehicle is in compliance with this section. (ii) Any vehicle placed in operation by a licensee as a public passenger vehicle in violation of this section is unsafe as defined by 9-112-050 of this Code. (iii) Any licensee that places a vehicle in operation as a public passenger vehicle in violation of this section is subject to immediate license suspension and revocation. (iv) The commissioner may by rule require licensees to submit a car history report at the licensee's expense. (b) The commissioner may by rule define and set limitations on the age of a vehicle permitted to be licensed as a public passenger vehicle. (c) The commissioner may by rule assert additional vehicle specifications that motor vehicles must meet before they can be approved as a public passenger vehicle. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-155 Public passenger vehicle inspection.

9-114-155 Public passenger vehicle inspection. No licensee shall allow any vehicle to be used as a public passenger vehicle unless such vehicle is inspected at time periods determined by rule promulgated by the Commissioner and according to standards approved by the Commissioner, and has passed such inspection. A public passenger vehicle inspection shall include, but is not limited to, ensuring that all required equipment is installed and operating as intended, and that the interior and exterior of the vehicle are clean and in good condition for the safety of the vehicle drivers and passengers. The Commissioner may determine that a public passenger vehicle inspection by a government agency authorized to undertake such inspections to be sufficient to meet the inspection requirement of this section. (Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 7)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-160 Change of equipment.

9-114-160 Change of equipment. The commissioner will promulgate in rules and regulations the process that licensees must follow when they are changing equipment (replacing the public passenger vehicle) and the applicable fees for change of equipment processing. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-170 Insurance.

9-114-170 Insurance. (a) Every licensee shall comply with all insurance requirements mandated by Federal, State and City law. Except for licensees that have surrendered their licensees to the City or that have submitted an affidavit ascertaining that they have suspended operations, each applicant for the issuance or renewal of a license issued under this chapter must carry commercial automobile liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage and where applicable, worker's compensation insurance, from an insurance company authorized to insure in the State of Illinois, and qualified under the laws of Illinois to assume the risk in the amounts hereinafter set forth, to secure payment by the licensee, or his agents, employees or lessees of any final judgment or settlement of any claim against them resulting from any occurrence caused by or arising out of the operation or use of any of the licensee's public passenger vehicles. Every insurance policy issued shall list the City of Chicago as an additional insured on a primary, noncontributory basis for any liability arising directly or indirectly from the licensee's operations. (1) Liability insurance: Each automobile liability insurance policy shall provide at least the following minimum coverage for each licensed vehicle: For each vehicle with capacity of 10 or more seats: | $1,000,000.00 combined single limit coverage per occurrence For each vehicle with a capacity of up to and including 9 seats: | $350,000.00 combined single limit coverage per occurrence Jitney car service vehicles: | $100,000.00 combined single limit coverage per occurrence (2) Worker's compensation: (i) Any licensee who does not carry worker's compensation insurance shall have his license(s) immediately suspended until proof of such insurance is provided to the Commissioner. The licensee shall provide the Commissioner with a copy of the licensees' insurance verification for worker's compensation upon request of the Commissioner. (ii) Any restricted public chauffeur, upon filing a claim for temporary total disability with the Illinois Industrial Commission, shall immediately surrender his restricted public chauffeur license to the department. Such restricted public chauffeur license shall remain surrendered for any period for which the chauffeur claims or receives benefits. Any restricted public chauffeur whose claim for benefits with the Illinois Industrial Commission is determined to be fraudulent, not credible, or otherwise not filed in good faith may have his public chauffeur license revoked. (b) If any licensee fails to maintain required insurance, the Commissioner may immediately suspend the license's license and impose a fine of $300 per day of insurance lapse, in addition to all other applicable penalties, including a higher fine. If a licensee shows a pattern of failing to maintain required insurance, the Commissioner may revoke the license. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 10-28-15, p. 11951, Art. VI, § 26; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 37901, Art. II, § 25; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. IX, § 27; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 7)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-180 Payment of judgments and awards.

9-114-180 Payment of judgments and awards. Any licensee shall pay each judgment or award for loss or damage in the operation or use of a public passenger vehicle rendered against the licensee by any court or commission of competent jurisdiction within 90 days after its judgment or award shall have become final and not stayed by supersedeas. If any such judgment shall not be so paid, the commissioner shall revoke the license of the licensee concerned. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-190 Suspension or revocation of license - Fines - Equitable relief.

9-114-190 Suspension or revocation of license - Fines - Equitable relief. (a) If any public passenger vehicle shall become unsafe for operation or if its body or seating facilities shall be so damaged, deteriorated or unclean as to render the vehicle unfit for public use, the license therefor shall be suspended by the commissioner until the vehicle is made safe for operation and its body and seating facilities reconditioned, repaired, or replaced as directed by the commissioner. In determining whether any public passenger vehicle is unfit for public use, the commissioner shall give consideration to its effect on the safety, health, comfort and convenience of the drivers and passengers, and its public appearance on the streets of the city. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this code, the commissioner may seek all applicable penalties, including but not limited to fines, license suspension, or license revocation in addition to restitution or other equitable relief against any licensee who violates this chapter or any rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter. (c) Except as otherwise provided in this code, the commissioner may seek suspension or revocation of the license of and/or the imposition of a fine not less than $75.00 nor more than $1,000.00 upon, and may seek an order of restitution or other equitable relief against any licensee who violates this chapter or any rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter. The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations regarding the lengths of suspension and the amounts of fines to be imposed, and the types of equitable relief to be ordered, for specific violations or license types. Before any suspension or revocation or fine is imposed, or equitable relief is ordered, the licensee shall be notified of the specific charges against him and of his right to a hearing in accordance with Chapter 2-14 of the Code. (d) Upon suspension or revocation of a license, or imposition of any fine for cause under the provisions of this chapter, the commissioner shall remove the license emblem and the license card from the vehicle. The commissioner shall notify the department of police of every suspension or revocation and of the termination of any suspension. The department shall charge the licensee for the costs to reaffix and replace the license emblem and to re-issue the license card, upon payment of fines and termination of suspension. These costs shall be set by the rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner. (e) If the commissioner has knowledge that a licensee has been charged with the commission of a felony, as defined in Article 2 of the Illinois Criminal Code of 1961, as amended, arising in connection with the provision of public passenger vehicle services, the commissioner shall immediately suspend all public passenger licenses of the licensee until final adjudication is made with respect to such charges. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-200 Revocation of license - Grounds.

9-114-200 Revocation of license - Grounds. Grounds for revocation of a license shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Abandonment of the licensee's place of business in the City; (2) If any official notice or legal process cannot be served upon a licensee at the Chicago address licensee registered with the Department; (3) Failure to respond to a legal notice or appear in answer to legal process at the time fixed therein; (4) Failure to pay any judgment or award as provided in Section 9-114-180; (5) Conviction of any criminal offense involving a felony. Provided, however, that this paragraph (5) shall not apply to any conviction for a minor cannabis offense, as defined in Section 4-4-005; (6) If, while operating a public passenger vehicle, a licensee shall have in his possession or control any illegal controlled substances, alcohol, or drugs; (7) If licensee solicits any person for transportation to any prostitute; (8) If licensee operates or permits to be operated more than one vehicle bearing the same public passenger vehicle license number. Upon revocation of any license, the licensee shall take all actions to remove all indicia of City licensure from any person or vehicle affected by the license revocation. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 59869, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 7)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-210 Revocation of license - Grounds of fraud, misrepresentation, misstatement or omission.

9-114-210 Revocation of license - Grounds of fraud, misrepresentation, misstatement or omission. In the event that the commissioner, after investigation and hearing, determines that any licensee (1) has obtained any public passenger vehicle license by fraud, misrepresentation, willful misstatement or omission of any material fact, or in case any licensee fails to carry out any representation made to the commissioner before the issuance of such license, or (2) has willfully made any material misstatement of fact on any statement filed with the commissioner, the city comptroller, or the department, or (3) has operated, or caused to be operated, any public passenger vehicle in violation of the provisions of this chapter or of the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter, or (4) has obtained his license pursuant to a foreclosure of a security interest without having provided the commissioner with the information required under Section 9-112-320 of this Code, the commissioner may institute proceedings with the department of administrative hearings to revoke any or all public passenger vehicle licenses, and any other City licenses held by licensee. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-215 License rescission.

9-114-215 License rescission. The commissioner shall have the power to rescind any license erroneously or illegally issued, transferred or renewed pursuant to this chapter. In order for such a rescission to be effective, the commissioner must notify the licensee of the date the rescission will take effect. The notice shall take place by first class mail or in- person notification. The commissioner must indicate in such notice the basis for the rescission and must also indicate a date and time, prior to the proposed rescission date, upon which the licensee may appear before the commissioner, or his or her designee, to contest the proposed rescission. The licensee shall also be informed that he or she shall be entitled to present to the commissioner or his or her designee any document, including affidavits, relating to the proposed rescission. Following the appearance of the licensee before the commissioner, the commissioner may affirm or reverse his or her rescission decision. The commissioner's decision shall be in writing and shall be mailed to the licensee at least five days before a license rescission is effective. A licensee may appeal the commissioner's decision to any court of competent jurisdiction. (Added Coun. J. 4-19-17, p. 47373, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-220 Interference with Commissioner's duties.

9-114-220 Interference with Commissioner's duties. It is unlawful for any person to interfere with or hinder or prevent the Commissioner from discharging any duty in the enforcement of any provision of this Code under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner. Failure to deliver or submit public passenger vehicles for inspection or for the performance of any other duty by the Commissioner upon demand is considered to be an interference with Commissioner's duties. Failure to comply with or respond to the Commissioner's request or notices for a formal meeting or production of records and documents is an interference with Commissioner's duties. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 7)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-230 Change of address - Notice to city required.

9-114-230 Change of address - Notice to city required. It is the duty of every licensee to notify the commissioner whenever any change in his Chicago address, telephone number, electronic mail (e-mail), or contact information is made. The licensee must notify the commissioner of such change within four business days of the change. It is proper notice for the commissioner to send notices to the licensee's last Chicago address recorded in the office of the commissioner. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-240 Removal or change of officer.

9-114-240 Removal or change of officer. Whenever any changes occur in the officers of the licensee, the licensee shall notify the department within 30 days of the effective date of the change on forms specified by the commissioner. For purposes of this section, the term "officer of the licensee" or "officers of the licensee" means the members of a partnership, the officers, directors, managers or shareholders of a corporation, or the managers or managing members of a limited liability company or other legal entity licensed pursuant to this chapter. The commissioner will promulgate rules describing the process that licensees must follow when they are removing or changing officers’ equipment and the applicable fees for removal or change of officers. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 6-6-12, p. 28356, § 23; Amend Coun. J. 11-20-19, p. 9510, Art. IV, § 23)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-250 Recordkeeping - financial reports.

9-114-250 Recordkeeping - financial reports. Every person licensed under this chapter shall keep and provide accurate books and records of account of his operations at his place of business in the city for a minimum of three years. Upon request of the commissioner, licensees must submit requested lease agreements, driver records, financial reports or any other pertinent documents within three business days, and the commissioner reserves the right to audit the finances and reported data of any licensee. The commissioner may by rule require licensees to file an annual financial report. The commissioner may by rule specify the form, format and deadline for licensees to submit annual financial reports. Such financial reports may include, but are not limited to: a profit and loss statement for the preceding calendar year, showing all his earnings and expenditures for operation, maintenance and repair of property, depreciation expense, premiums paid for workers compensation and public liability insurance, and taxes for unemployment insurance and social security, and all state and local license fees, property taxes and federal income taxes, and a balance sheet taken at the close of said year. The commissioner, or the authorized committee of the council, shall have access to the property, books, contracts, accounts and records during normal business hours at said place of business, for such information as may be required for the effective administration and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, or for the adoption of any ordinances, rules affecting public passenger vehicle operations. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 5)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-260 Revoked, surrendered and rescinded licenses - Reissuance.

9-114-260 Revoked, surrendered and rescinded licenses - Reissuance. Any license for which an application for renewal has not been made as specified within this chapter or which has been revoked, surrendered, rescinded, cancelled or otherwise forfeited, may be reissued by the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. (Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-114-265 Fare rates higher than regular rates.

9-114-265 Fare rates higher than regular rates. (a) A licensee licensed under this chapter or Chapter 9-115 of this Code, or a taxi dispatcher, only as provided in Section 9-112-600(i) of this Code, may charge passengers at a higher fare rate than the regular fare rate displayed in the licensee's Internet-enabled application or digital platform, or, if the dispatched vehicle is a taxicab, at a rate higher rate than the rate provided in Section 9-112-600, only if such licensee or such licensee's dispatch complies with all of the following requirements: (i) the licensee or the licensee's dispatch, through the licensee's or the dispatch's Internet-enabled application or digital platform and e-mail accounts of the licensee's subscribers, provide public notice of the time period when the higher fare rate would apply; and (ii) the licensee's or the licensee's dispatch Internet-enabled application or digital platform clearly provides to a customer requesting a trip the option to obtain the total reasonable fare estimate of the trip in a range expressed in dollars and cents, in addition to any applicable rate multiplier. The on-screen prompt for the choice to decline the fare estimate shall be smaller in size than the on-screen prompt to accept that estimate. For purposes of this section, the commissioner is authorized to regulate, by rule, the permissible range of fare estimate that shall be provided pursuant to this section; and (iii) no fare greater by 20 percent than the fare estimate provided pursuant to subsection (a)(ii) shall be charged for the trip, unless the customer changes the destination or route from that initially requested; and (iv) the customer requesting the ride expressly agrees to the fare estimate unless, pursuant to subsection (a)(ii), the customer has chosen to decline the estimate offered when accepting the ride on the licensee's or the licensee's dispatch Internet-enabled application or digital platform. (b) The commissioner is authorized to regulate, by rule, the amount of increase in fare rate from the regular fare rate displayed in the licensee's Internet-enabled application or digital platform and the manner of fare amount calculation for providing a prearranged transportation service. In addition, the commissioner is authorized to require licensees licensed under this chapter or Chapter 9-115 of this Code to comply with nationally recognized technical and technological standards applicable to fare amount calculation for providing a prearranged transportation service, as determined by the commissioner. (c) If applicable law allows taxicab licensees to charge at a higher rate than the rate provided under Chapter 9-112 of this Code, this section applies to the regulation of such rate to the extent such regulation is allowed under the applicable law. (Added Coun. J. 5-28-14, p. 82771, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 10-28-15, p. 12062, Art. XI, § 4)

Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2648865Fetched: 10/24/2026