(A) (1) Required. No person shall drive a taxicab for hire upon the streets of the city and no person who owns or controls a taxicab shall permit it to be so driven at any time for hire, unless the driver has a taxicab driver’s license.
(2) Application.
(a) An application for a taxicab driver’s license shall be filed with the City Clerk on a form provided by the city. The application shall be verified under oath and shall be accompanied by:
1. Evidence of ownership of a valid driver’s license, as required by state statute, for the operation of vehicles carrying passengers for hire;
2. Two photographs, one to be placed on the license, and one to be filed with the City Clerk. In addition, each applicant shall submit himself or herself to the city’s Police Department for a Police Department photograph and shall, at such time, pay a fee of $1 for the making of such photograph. This photograph shall remain on file with the Police Department;
3. A certificate from a reputable physician, certifying that, in his or her opinion, the applicant is not afflicted with any disease or infirmity which might make him or her an unsafe or unsatisfactory driver;
4. A list, showing the residence of the applicant for the previous ten years;
5. A statement under oath that the applicant has never been convicted or charged with a crime, either felony or misdemeanor, as defined by the Illinois Compiled Statutes;
6. Three character references, together with their addresses; and
7. License fee for one year.
(b) The certificate of a reputable physician, as hereinbefore required, shall have been issued by such physician not more than 60 days prior to the application for license, as herein provided.
(3) Qualifications. Before any driver’s application is finally passed upon by the City Council, the applicant shall pass a satisfactory examination as to his or her knowledge of the city and show that he or she has a current motor vehicle operator’s permit issued by the state.
(4) Police investigation. The Police Department shall record, fingerprint and conduct an investigation of the applicant for a taxicab driver’s license. Such police investigation should be conducted both at time of initial application and prior to all renewals of taxicab driver’s license. A report of such investigation and copy of the traffic and police record of the applicant, if any, shall be attached to the application for the consideration of the City Council.
(5) Consideration by Council. The City Council, upon consideration of the driver’s application shall approve or reject it. If the application is rejected, the applicant may request a personal appearance before the City Council to offer evidence why his application should be reconsidered.
(6) Issuance and term. Upon approval of a driver’s application, the City Clerk shall issue a license which shall bear the name, address, color, age, signature and photograph of the applicant. Such license shall be in effect for the remainder of the calendar year; provided, however, that, such license shall automatically expire if the holder thereof ceases to be employed by a taxicab company which has been issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity by the city.
(7) Fee. The fee for a taxicab driver’s license is $2 for each calendar year.
(8) Display of license. A taxicab driver, while driving a cab, shall post his or her driver’s license in the taxicab in full view of the passengers.
(9) List of drivers, addresses. On the first day of each month, it shall be the duty of a holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity to supply the Chief of Police and the City Clerk with a list of all drivers, and their addresses, employed by said holder at that time.
(1960 Code, § 7-13-10)
(B) The City Clerk may suspend or revoke the driver’s license of any taxicab driver who fails to comply with the provisions of this subchapter. A suspension shall be for a period of not more than ten days. A license may not be revoked unless the driver has received notice and has had an opportunity to present evidence in his or her behalf.
(1960 Code, § 7-13-11)
(Ord. 2630, passed - -; Ord. 2823, passed - -; Ord. 3087, passed 6-19-1972; Ord. 5385, passed 3-8-1995) Penalty, see § 116.99