9-112-020 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 taxicab pursuant to this chapter, or as a public passenger vehicle pursuant to Chapter 9-114, 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exclusive permission and authority to the licensees hereunder to operate the taxicab vehicles licensed hereunder unless rescinded, terminated, or revoked as hereinafter provided.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 as such by the city to solicit or accept business within the corporate boundaries of the City of Chicago, except where the passengers have as their destination the community in which such vehicle is licensed and then only when such transportation has been arranged in advance.

   (d)   A taxicab licensed by another jurisdiction may come into the city to discharge passengers whose trip originated outside of the city. 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.

   (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, are subject to fines, vehicle impoundment, and other applicable penalties.

(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-6-12, p. 28356, § 15; Amend Coun. J. 5-28-14, p. 82771, § 4)

9-112-030 Total number of licenses.

   The total number of licenses that each licensee holds will be based on the total licenses in each corporation, or legal entity, in which he 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.

(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 12-10-14, p. 101074, § 3)

9-112-035 Licensee to provide state law information.

   The licensee shall provide to each chauffeur operating the licensee's vehicle a summary, prepared by the commissioner, of prohibited areas for carrying concealed firearms pursuant to the section 65 of the Illinois Concealed Carry Act.

(Added Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 59869, § 4)

9-112-040 Liability for actions of a chauffeur.

   The licensee may be liable for all code and rule violations of a chauffeur operating licensee's vehicle if an administrative law officer or a court of competent jurisdiction has found the chauffeur liable of three violations within any two-year period. The department will set forth in rules and regulations a process for notifying licensees of chauffeurs found liable of two violations within any two-year period for whom they may be liable under this section.

(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 1)

9-112-050 Vehicle inspections.

   No person shall place a vehicle into service as a taxicab until the vehicle has been inspected under the direction of the Commissioner and found to be in safe operating condition. A taxicab vehicle inspection includes, 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. Licensees must submit all their taxicab vehicles for inspection as scheduled by the Department. Taxicab vehicles with a vehicle age of five years or newer must be inspected at least annually, and all older taxicab vehicles must be inspected at least semiannually.

   If any licensee fails to appear and make his vehicle available for inspection after receiving a notification from the Commissioner to do so, the Commissioner may immediately suspend the licensee's license and impose a fine as set forth in Section 9-112-630, in addition to all other applicable penalties, including extending the license suspension, and/or license revocation. If the licensee again fails to so appear, the Commissioner may suspend his license until the vehicle has passed an inspection pursuant to this section. If a licensee demonstrates a pattern of missing scheduled inspection dates, the Commissioner may revoke the license.

   The Commissioner is authorized to adopt rules to specify the time frame and schedule for vehicle inspections and may require additional inspections based upon complaints.

(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 5-28-14, p. 82771, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. IX, § 9)

9-112-060 Failed vehicle inspections.

   If a vehicle fails an inspection required by 9-112-050 of this Code, the licensee shall pay a re-inspection fee of $75.00.

(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 1)