4-68-110 Peace officer assistance during emergencies.

   A peace officer may assist an emergency medical technician, as defined in the Illinois Emergency Medical Service Systems Act, 210 ILCS 50/1, et seq., in transporting a person to a hospital licensed to provide comprehensive emergency treatment services when the officer is informed by an emergency medical technician that the situation constitutes an emergency as defined in the Emergency Medical Services Systems Act and that person is in need of immediate hospitalization to protect such person or others from physical harm. The provisions of this section shall not apply when the person sought to be transported objects to transportation or medical treatment on religious grounds.

(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 7-30-97, p. 50612)

4-68-120 License suspension and revocation.

   When the department of business affairs and consumer protection finds or is notified by another department or agency of the city of a violation of any requirements of this chapter or of the rules and regulations adopted by the department of business affairs and consumer protection hereunder, it may make a second inspection after a lapse of whatever time it deems necessary for the correction of the violation. Provided, however, that whenever an inspection indicates that conditions create an imminent hazard to the public, the license for any ambulance may be immediately suspended.

   After receipt from the department of business affairs and consumer protection of a notice of violation by the licensee, as evidenced by said inspection report, but before the allotted time has elapsed for compliance, the licensee may request a hearing to file exceptions to the inspection report or may request an extension of the time allowed for compliance. Such appeal must be filed within three days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and official city holidays) of the receipt of such notice of violation.

   If, upon such second inspection, it is found that the licensee is in continued violation of this chapter or the rules and regulations promulgated by the department of business affairs and consumer protection hereunder, the license may be temporarily suspended.

   Upon suspension of the license the Chicago Police Department shall be notified of the suspension and shall enforce the cessation of operation of the ambulance.

   The holder of a license may, at any time, make application for a restoration of the license. After receipt by the department of business affairs and consumer protection of such application, accompanied by a statement signed by the licensee indicating that the provision or provisions previously violated have been complied with, a reinspection shall be made on the next regular City of Chicago government business day to assure the department of business affairs and consumer protection consumer services that the applicant is complying with requirements of this chapter. When the reinspection indicates full compliance, the license shall be restored, and the Chicago Police Department so notified.

   Upon a record of repeated violations of this chapter or the rules and regulations adopted by the department of business affairs and consumer protection hereunder, or repeated suspensions of a license, the department of business affairs and consumer protection may revoke such license in the manner prescribed by law.

   When the department of health finds or is notified by another department or agency of the city of a violation of any requirement of this chapter, or of the rules and regulations adopted by the department of health hereunder, it may make a second inspection after a lapse of whatever time it deems necessary for the correction of the violation. Provided, however, that whenever an inspection indicates that conditions create an imminent hazard to the public health, the license for any ambulance may be immediately suspended.

   After receipt from the department of health of a notice of violation by the licensee, as evidenced by said inspection report, but before the allotted time has elapsed for compliance, the licensee may request a hearing to file exception to the inspection report or may request an extension of the time allowed for compliance. Such appeal must be filed within three days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and official city holidays) of the receipt of such notice of violation.

   If, upon such second inspection, it is found that the licensee is in continued violation of this chapter or the rules and regulated promulgated by the department of health hereunder, the license may be temporarily suspended. Upon suspension of the license, the Chicago Police Department shall be notified of the suspension and shall enforce the cessation of operation of the ambulance.

   The holder of a license may, at any time, make application for a restoration of the license. After receipt by the department of health of such application, accompanied by a statement signed by the licensee indicating that the provision or provisions previously violated have been complied with, a reinspection shall be made on the next regular City of Chicago government business day to assure the department of health that the applicant is complying with the requirement of this chapter. When the reinspection indicates full compliance, the license shall be restored, and the Chicago Police Department so notified.

   Upon a record of repeated violations of this chapter or the rules and regulations adopted by the department of health hereunder, or repeated suspensions of a license, the department of health may recommend the revocation of the license to the department of business affairs and consumer protection which may revoke such license in the manner prescribed by law.

   The department of health shall notify the Illinois Department of Public Health of any ambulance license suspension or revocation.

   Nothing in this section shall preclude the initiation of any court action based on any violations of this Code.

(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 7-30-97, p. 50612; Amend Coun. J. 7-27-05, p. 53211, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. V, § 5)

4-68-130 Fees for ambulance services.

   (a)   The City of Chicago may levy reasonable fees, as determined by the Comptroller, for ambulance services rendered by public ambulances.

   (b)   The City will bill the patient for any services rendered. The patient shall be responsible for any amount billed. If the patient has insurance, the City may also bill the insurance company.

   (c)   After the City receives payment by an insurance company, and after the patient has paid any amounts required by the insurance company, such as a co-pay, the City shall waive any remaining amount owed by the patient.

   (d)   If at the time of service the patient is uninsured, the following shall apply.

      (1)   The Department of Finance shall credit the amount billed to cap the bill to the patient at the fee cap set forth by the Comptroller in rules.

      (2)   A patient may participate in a payment plan in which the balance owed is divided equally into monthly payments, not to exceed 24 payments.

      (3)   If the patient participates in any of the following programs or has the status of being in one of the following categories, the Comptroller shall waive any ambulance fee remaining after any payment from any non-insurance assistance.

         (A)   Government Issued Unemployment Compensation.

         (B)   Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

         (C)   Federal Public Housing / Section 8.

         (D)   Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

         (E)   Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF).

         (F)   Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

         (G)   Worker's Compensation Income Benefits.

         (H)   Illinois Free Lunch and Breakfast Program.

         (I)   Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP / Food Stamps).

         (J)   Enrollment in an organized community-based program that assesses and documents limited low income financial status as criteria.

         (K)   Household income of 300 percent or less than the Federal Poverty Level.

         (L)   Foreclosure (received a notice of foreclosure, entered into a consent foreclosure, gave a deed in lieu of foreclosure, or had a judgment of foreclosure entered on primary residence within last three years).

         (M)   Eviction.

         (N)   Bankruptcy (liability for fines and penalties remain after obtaining a bankruptcy discharge).

         (O)   Student (attending high school, college, trade or vocational school with a valid student ID card).

         (P)   Senior Citizen (65 and older).

         (Q)   Active Military (including reservists and national guard).

         (R)   Recently Inactive Military (discharged from the military in the last 180 days).

         (S)   Homelessness.

         (T)   Unemployment.

         (U)   Domestic Violence Victim.

(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 7-30-97, p. 50612; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-14, p. 98037, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-24-20, p. 24619, Art. VI, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 10-27-21, p. 39543, Art. X, § 3)

4-68-150 Insurance.

   Every ambulance owner shall maintain in full force and effect at all times throughout the duration of the license period commercial general liability insurance and commercial automobile liability insurance and worker's compensation insurance for employees with insurers authorized to insure in the State of Illinois. The commercial automobile liability insurance policy may cover one or more ambulance vehicles, but each ambulance shall be insured for the sum of at least $350,000.00, combined single limit, per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage. The commercial general liability insurance shall have limits of not less than $350,000.00 for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage for liability arising in any way from the issuance of the license or activities conducted pursuant to the license. Each insurance policy shall: (1) name 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, and (2) provide for the payment and satisfaction of any final judgment rendered against the owner, or any person driving any insured vehicle, and (3) so that suit may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction upon such policy or contract by any person having claims arising from the operation or use of such ambulances contain a description of each ambulance vehicle insured, the manufacturer's name and serial number, the State license number, and the ambulance-operating license number.

   All insurance policies required by this section or copies thereof certified by the insurers shall be filed with the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, and no insurance shall be subject to cancellation or lapse, except on 30 days' advance notice to the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. If any insurance is canceled or permitted to lapse for any reason, the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection shall suspend the license for the ambulance affected for a period not to exceed 30 days, to permit the insurance to be supplied in compliance with the provisions of this section. If such other insurance is not supplied within the period of suspension of the license, the Commissioner shall revoke the certificate of inspection for such ambulance.

   Every company licensed pursuant to this chapter shall pay each judgment or award for the loss or damage in the operation for use of an ambulance rendered against such 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 ambulance-operating license of the applicable ambulance company in accordance with Section 4-4-280.

(Amend Coun. J. 7-30-97, p. 50612; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. V, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 38; Amend Coun. J. 10-28-15, p. 11951, Art. VI, § 15; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 37901, Art. II, § 11; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. VII, § 10)

4-68-180 Discrimination.

   There shall be no discrimination against any person employed or seeking employment with a company licensed under this chapter on account of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry; likewise, it shall be unlawful for any individual licensed or authorized to provide services under this chapter to refuse aid or transportation to any patient on account of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, or in a life-threatening situation, the inability to pay.

(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 7-30-97, p. 50612)