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(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)
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)
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 his license suspended for 29 days for the first offense. Any licensee found to have committed, a subsequent offense of this section shall have his 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 CFR § 35.104.
(Added Coun. J. 3-16-16, p. 20056, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4)
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)
(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)
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)
A public chauffeur shall upon request of any authorized City personnel, as defined in Section 9-114-315, surrender his public chauffeur license and supply any additional information requested by such authorized City personnel concerning the operation of his public vehicle.
(Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 4)