PUBLIC CHAUFFEURS

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 9, ch. 9-104

in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-010 Definitions.

9-104-010 Definitions. For purposes of this chapter the following definitions shall apply: "Commissioner" means the City's Commissioner of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. "Compensation" means any payment or donation received, or economic or business benefit obtained, for providing transportation of passengers. "Criminal background check" means a fingerprint based or non-biometric based local and national criminal background check, including, but not limited to, checking an applicant against: (1) the National Sex Offenders Registry database or National Sex Offenders Public Website or other similar database; and (2) Multi-State or Multi-Jurisdictional Criminal Records Locator or other similar commercial nationwide database with validation (primary source search). "Department" means the City's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. "Driver's license" means a permanent license to drive a motor vehicle issued by any state, district or territory of the United States. "Licensee" or "public chauffeur licensee" means a person required to hold a public chauffeur license issued pursuant to this chapter. "License" means a public chauffeur license issued pursuant to this chapter. "Public chauffeur license" means a restricted chauffeur license or a taxi chauffeur license. "Public passenger vehicle" has the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 9-114-010. "Restricted chauffeur license" means a public chauffeur license issued under this chapter that permits the licensee to operate only public passenger vehicles licensed pursuant to Chapter 9-114, or transportation network vehicles. Restricted chauffeur licensees shall not operate taxicabs licensed pursuant to Chapter 9-112. "Taxi chauffeur license" means a license issued under this chapter that permits the licensee to operate taxicabs licensed pursuant to Chapter 9-112, public passenger vehicles licensed pursuant Chapter 9-114, or transportation network vehicles. “Taximeter” means a device which records and indicates a charge or fare measured by distance traveled, waiting time, number of passengers, and any extra charges set forth in Chapter 9-112. Taximeters must meet specifications set forth by the Commissioner in rules. "Transportation network vehicle" shall have the meanings ascribed to this term in Section 9-115-010. (Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-22-16, p. 27771, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. IX, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 4-15-26, p. 42642, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-020 License - Required.

9-104-020 License - Required. (a) Any person who operates a taxicab licensed pursuant to Chapter 9-112 for the transportation of passengers for compensation within the corporate limits of the City must hold a valid taxi chauffeur license. Any person who violates this subsection shall be fined no less than $500.00 nor more than $1,000.00 for each offense; provided, however, that a failure to renew a taxi chauffeur license shall subject the violator to the fine set forth in Section 9-104-140(d), if the lapse is limited to 60 days or less. (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) or Chapter 9-110, any person who operates a public passenger vehicle for the transportation of passengers for compensation within the corporate limits of the City must hold a valid restricted chauffeur license or taxi chauffeur license. Any person who violates this subsection shall be fined no less than $500.00 nor more than $1,000.00 for each offense; provided, however, that a failure to renew a restricted chauffeur license or taxi chauffeur license shall subject the violator to the fine set forth in Section 9-104-140(d), if the lapse is limited to 60 days or less. (c) A driver with a valid, permanent, commercial driver's license issued by any state, district or territory of the United States may drive a charter/sightseeing vehicle or a medicar vehicle, licensed under Chapter 9-114 of this Code, provided that operating such vehicle does not violate any restriction or endorsement placed on the operator's commercial driver's license. (Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-22-16, p. 27771, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-030 License - Fee.

9-104-030 License - Fee. (a) Upon qualification of the applicant, and payment of a non-refundable license fee, the Department shall issue a public chauffeur license in a form prescribed by the Commissioner. Public chauffeur licenses shall bear the photograph, name, and license number of the licensee. (b) No person shall alter, modify or replicate a public chauffeur license without authorization by the Department. (c) The fee for the issuance of a new, renewed or duplicate public chauffeur license shall be $40.00. (d) If a public chauffeur licensee violates subsection (b) of this section, in addition to any other applicable penalty, the Commissioner may immediately suspend such public chauffeur's license pursuant to Section 9-104-140. (Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 12-16-24, p. 23004, Part 1, Art. II, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-040 License - Term.

9-104-040 License - Term. (a) A public chauffeur license shall be issued for a two-year period; provided, however, the Commissioner is authorized to issue initial public chauffeur licenses or renewals for less than a two-year period to establish a system for renewing chauffeur licenses on a staggered basis in a manner that the Commissioner determines by rule. (b) All licenses shall expire on the date noted on the license unless renewed prior to the date of expiration or as specified by rule. (c) TThe Commissioner is authorized to prescribe by rule the grounds and criteria for extension of the time period for renewing a public chauffeur license for an applicant who fails to renew their license prior to the expiration date for the license. (d) The Commissioner may issue a temporary license for a period not to exceed 180 days to ensure a licensee's compliance with debt payment obligations, physical examination, rehabilitative educational classes, or when cases involving the licensee are pending at the Department of Administrative Hearings, in traffic court, or other courts, as determined by the Commissioner. (Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 4-15-26, p. 42642, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-050 License - Qualifications.

9-104-050 License - Qualifications. (a) An applicant is qualified to receive and maintain a public chauffeur license if the applicant: 1. has possessed a valid permanent driver's license of any state, district or territory of the United States, for at least one year, and shall not currently have a suspended or revoked driver's license in any state, district, or territory of the United States; 2. is at least 21 years of age; 3. [Reserved]; 4. [Reserved]; 5. has successfully completed a training course and license examination as prescribed by the Commissioner, unless deemed unnecessary for that applicant pursuant to rule; 6. [Reserved]; 7. does not owe debt to the City as the term "debt" is defined in Section 4-4-150 of this Code; 8. [Reserved]; 9. has not been convicted, found liable, placed on supervision or any similar deferral program, or subject to conditional discharge for three or more traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles of any kind in any jurisdiction: (i) for new license applicants, for violations that occurred within a 12-month period preceding the application; or (ii) for renewal license applicants, for violations that occurred within a 12-month time frame during the applicant's last license term; 10. has not had a previous public chauffeur license application denied, rescinded, within the 12-month period preceding the date of application; 11. has not had a previously issued public chauffeur license revoked within the 3-year period preceding the date of application; 12. [Reserved]; 13. has not been: (i) required to register as a sex offender pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act (730 ILCS 150/1, et seq.) or a comparable law of another jurisdiction; or (ii) required to register as a violent offender against youth pursuant to the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act (730 ILCS 154/1, et seq.) or a comparable law of another jurisdiction; or (iii) sentenced by a court of any jurisdiction to a life-time parole or supervision; or (iv) currently under an outstanding arrest warrant issued by a court of any jurisdiction; 14. has not had their driver’s license canceled, suspended, or revoked, by any governing jurisdiction, as a result of a driving-related incident within the 12-month period preceding the date of application; and 15. has not, within the 3-year period preceding the date of application, been convicted by a court of any jurisdiction, in custody, under parole, under any other non-custodial supervision, or any similar deferral program, or subject to conditional discharge, resulting from a finding or determination of guilt by a court of any jurisdiction, for any of the following offenses: (i) any forcible felony as defined by Article 2-8 of the Illinois Criminal Code of 2012, codified at 720 ILCS 5/2-8; (ii) any controlled substance trafficking (as provided in 720 ILCS 570/401.1 or comparable law) or trafficking in persons (as provided in 720 ILCS 5/10-9 or comparable law); (iii) operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, cannabis, alcohol or other substance which impairs one's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle (as provided in 625 ILCS 5/11-501 or comparable law); (iv) criminal sexual assault (as provided in 720 ILCS 5/11-1.20 or comparable law), criminal sexual abuse (as provided in 720 ILCS 5/11-1.50 or comparable law), promoting prostitution (as provided in 720 ILCS 5/11-14.3 or comparable law), child pornography (as provided in 720 ILCS 5/11-20.1 or comparable law), stalking (as provided in 720 ILCS 5/12-7.3 or comparable law), or any similar offense; (v) unlawful use or possession of a weapon or firearm (as provided in Chapter 24 of the Illinois Criminal Code of 2012 or comparable law); (vi) arson (as provided in 720 ILCS 5/20-1 or comparable law); (vii) racketeering or organized criminal activity (as provided in 720 ILCS 5/33G-1, et seq., or comparable law); or (viii) any crime that raises public safety concerns, as determined by the Commissioner; and 16. has not, within the 1-year period preceding the date of application, been convicted or released from incarceration, whichever occurs later, for any of the following offenses: (i) any non-forcible felony, as the term felony is defined in Section 2-7 of the Illinois Criminal Code of 2012, codified at 720 ILCS 5/2-7; (ii) identity theft; (iii) forgery or counterfeiting; or (iv) theft of property valued over $1,000. (b) An applicant who has been charged with the commission of a felony as defined in Section 2-7 of the Illinois Criminal Code of 2012, codified at 720 ILCS 5/2-7, or a felony in another jurisdiction, or any crime that raises public safety concerns, as determined by the Commissioner, shall not be eligible for a public chauffeur license until final disposition of such charges. (c) Any conviction for a minor cannabis offense, as defined in Section 4-4-005, shall not disqualify an applicant. (d) Eligibility for issuance of any license under this chapter shall be a continuing requirement for maintaining such license. (Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-22-16, p. 27771, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. IX, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-26-19, p. 11547, § 15; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 4-15-26, p. 42642, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-060 License - Application.

9-104-060 License - Application. Application for a new or renewed public chauffeur license shall be made in writing to the department on a form provided by the commissioner, and the application shall be signed and sworn to by the person seeking a public chauffeur license. The application form shall require the following information: 1. the applicant's full name and residence address; 2. the applicant's date of birth; 3. the applicant's driver's license number; and 4. such other information the commissioner may reasonably require in connection with the issuance or renewal of a license. (Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-070 License - Investigation, issuance and denial.

9-104-070 License - Investigation, issuance and denial. (a) Upon receipt of an application for the issuance or renewal of a license, the Commissioner may investigate the applicant for compliance with all applicable provisions of this Code and applicable rules. (b) As part of the investigation prescribed by subsection (a), every applicant shall: (1) submit to a criminal background check as defined by Section 9-104-010; (2) submit to additional checks as the Commissioner sets forth in rules; and (3) provide photos of the applicant as required by the Commissioner. Applicants shall be responsible for the costs of the criminal background check, any additional checks, and photos. (c) As part of the application process, fees sufficient to cover the costs of processing the requirements of subsection (b) shall be assessed in addition to the license fees set forth in Section 9-104-030 of this chapter. The fees will be assessed regardless of whether the license applied for is issued or denied. The amount of the fees shall be as set forth by rules promulgated by the Commissioner. (d) The Commissioner may deny a license to an applicant who submits an application or any information or document that includes an omission or misstatement of material fact, or false information. (e) After investigating an applicant as provided in subsection (a) and this section, the Commissioner has the authority to deny a license if the applicant does not meet the requirements for the issuance or renewal of a license. Such investigation may include, but is not limited to, a review of the applicant's application, criminal record, driving record, complaint history, and any other information that may be reasonably relied upon to issue a license. (f) If an application for the issuance or renewal of a public chauffeur license is denied, the applicant may, within 10 days of the mailing of the notice of denial, make written demand upon the Commissioner for a hearing. Upon receipt of a timely written demand for a hearing, the Department shall within 30 days conduct a hearing. If at such a hearing the applicant establishes through competent evidence that the denial was based upon incorrect findings, the Commissioner shall issue the license. If at such a hearing the denial is found to have been based upon correct findings, the denial shall become final. After entry of a final denial, the applicant shall be ineligible to make a new application for a period of 12 months. (Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. IX, § 3)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-080 License - Rescission.

9-104-080 License - Rescission. (a) The commissioner has the authority to rescind any license obtained erroneously, illegally, by fraud, by misrepresentation, by willful misstatement or omission of any material fact or statement filed with the commissioner, the city comptroller, or any city department. (b) If a license is rescinded, the former licensee may, within ten days of the mailing of the notice of rescission, make written demand upon the commissioner for a hearing. Upon receipt of a timely written demand for a hearing, the department shall within 30 days conduct a hearing. If at such a hearing the applicant establishes through competent evidence that the rescission was based upon incorrect findings, the commissioner shall issue the license. If at such a hearing the rescission is found to have been based upon correct findings, the rescission shall become final. After entry of a final rescission, the applicant shall be ineligible to make a new application for a period of 12 months. (Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-090 Training course and licensing exam.

9-104-090 Training course and licensing exam. (a) The Commissioner is authorized to enter into agreements, with the approval of the mayor, with any state-approved vocational or technical schools that provide a training course to public chauffeurs. The agreement may specify the curriculum and tuition cost for such course. (b) The Commissioner is also authorized to approve the curriculum and tuition cost for public chauffeur courses offered by any private entity not referenced in subsection (a). (c) The Commissioner is authorized to prescribe, by rule, course curriculum and exam criteria specific to the training and licensing of taxi chauffeurs and restricted public chauffeurs. The training course for public chauffeurs shall include: (1) Guidelines on transporting passengers in a safe manner, consistent with the City's initiative to reduce and eliminate fatalities and serious injuries from traffic crashes (Vision Zero Initiatives); (2) Guidelines on driving in the City, including rules of the road specific to the City; (3) Guidelines for a zero-tolerance policy regarding use of intoxicating substances while operating any vehicle with a public chauffeur license; (4) Guidelines on providing service to people with disabilities; (5) Guidelines on compliance with the City's laws specific to public transportation, including the City's laws regarding taxis, liveries, pedicabs, and transportation network providers; and (6) Guidelines and information on compliance with other applicable laws and rules. (d) The Commissioner may, by rule, authorize the issuance of temporary licenses for public chauffeurs in training. (Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-100 Reserved. Editor's note – Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4, repealed § 9-104-100, which pertained to taxi chauffeur rebate program.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-110 Rules.

9-104-110 Rules. The Commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules for the proper administration and enforcement of this chapter and any other applicable section of this Code to facilitate a safe environment for licensees, passengers, and the public, and in order to promote orderly, efficient, and professional conduct by licensees. The Commissioner is also authorized to promulgate rules to impose any fees reasonably related to the cost of administration as specifically authorized in this chapter. (Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-15-26, p. 42642, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-120 Public chauffeur behavior.

9-104-120 Public chauffeur behavior. A licensee shall not abuse, assault, insult, or threaten any other person, any passenger or other drivers, or use profane language, in connection with the operation of a taxicab or public passenger vehicle. A licensee shall not discriminate against or refuse service to a passenger based on the passenger’s stated destination or the passenger’s stated or apparent identity as a member of a protected class as listed in Section 6-10-030. (Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-15-26, p. 42642, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-125 Taximeter and fare payment.

9-104-125 Taximeter and fare payment. A licensee is responsible for ensuring that the taxicab the licensee operates is equipped with an operational taximeter. A licensee who operates a taxicab must activate the taximeter at the start of a passenger trip for all passengers secured through “street hail” or taxicab stand. A licensee who operates a taxicab is exempt from activating the taximeter for passengers secured through a taxi e-hail dispatching smart phone application or platform. (Added Coun. J. 4-15-26, p. 42642, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-130 Service to passengers with service animals.

9-104-130 Service to passengers with service animals. A licensee must comply with 775 ILCS 30/1, et seq. by accepting passengers with service animals. Any licensee found to have refused transportation to a person with a service animal shall be fined $500.00 and have their license suspended for 29 days for the first offense. Any licensee found to have committed a subsequent offense of this section shall have their license revoked and shall be fined $500.00. For purposes of this section, the term “service animal” has the meaning ascribed to this term in 28 C.F.R. § 35.104. (Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 4-15-26, p. 42642, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-135 T.A.P. program compliance.

9-104-135 T.A.P. program compliance. The Pace Taxi Access Program (T.A.P.) gives certified paratransit customers an opportunity to travel in taxis at reduced rates for trips that originate within the City. As a condition of being licensed, every public chauffeur licensee must participate in and comply with T.A.P. or a similar program providing for increased access to taxicab service to persons with disabilities. Compliance with T.A.P. includes accepting and processing T.A.P. forms of payment, such as the T.A.P. swipe card. (Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-140 License - Suspension, revocation and penalties.

9-104-140 License - Suspension, revocation and penalties. (a) If the Commissioner has information provided by a law enforcement agency or court of law that a licensee has been charged with the commission of: (1) a felony as defined in Article 2 of the Illinois Criminal Code of 2012 or a felony in another jurisdiction; or (2) an alleged act that raises concerns of public safety; or if a licensee is under an outstanding arrest warrant issued by a court of any jurisdiction; or if a licensee violates subsection (b) of Section 9-104-030, the Commissioner may immediately suspend the licensee's public chauffeur license until final adjudication is made with respect to such charges. (b) Whenever the licensee's driver's license has been revoked, suspended or otherwise invalidated by the Illinois Secretary of State or other similar authorized agency, the licensee's public chauffeur license shall be subject to automatic suspension for the same period that the driver's license is revoked, suspended or otherwise invalidated. (c) The Commissioner shall promulgate rules 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. (d) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter for which a penalty is not otherwise provided shall be fined not less than $75.00 or more than $1,000.00. Each day that such violation continues shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense. In addition to fines, penalties for any violation of this chapter may include license suspension, rescission, or revocation. The Commissioner may also require a licensee to successfully complete additional courses of study, examinations, drug tests, and physical evaluations. (e) The Commissioner, upon receiving a complaint, is authorized to require any licensee to: (i) be evaluated by an Illinois-licensed physician that the licensee has the capability to safely operate a public passenger vehicle; and (ii) take a test, conducted by authorities approved by the Commissioner, for the presence of any illegal drug (other than cannabis) or inebriating substance in the body. If the physician does not certify that the licensee has the capability to safely operate a public passenger vehicle, or if the licensee fails the drug or substance test, the Commissioner shall immediately suspend the licensee's public chauffeur license for a period of 12 months. An applicant suspended under this section is ineligible to renew or apply for a license for a period of 12 months. (Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-22-16, p. 27771, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-26-19, p. 11547, § 16; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 12-16-24, p. 23004, Part 1, Art. III, § 5)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-150 Interference with Commissioner's duties.

9-104-150 Interference with Commissioner's duties. Every licensee shall deliver or submit the public passenger vehicle(s) under the licensee's control for inspection or the performance of any other duty by the Commissioner upon demand. 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. (Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-104-160 Surrendering license and information to authorized City personnel - Required.

9-104-160 Surrendering license and information to authorized City personnel - Required. A public chauffeur shall upon request of any authorized City personnel, as defined in Section 9-114-315, surrender their public chauffeur license and supply any additional information requested by such authorized City personnel concerning the operation of their public vehicle. (Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 4-15-26, p. 42642, § 1)

Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2647818Fetched: 10/24/2026