9-112-050 Vehicle inspections.

9-112-570 Wheelchair-accessible vehicle taxicabs, wheelchair-accessible transportation network vehicles and centralized wheelchair-accessible dispatch.

9-112-575 Taxicab driver awards.

9-112-580 T.A.P. program compliance.

9-112-590 Group riding permitted when.

9-112-600 Taxicab rates of fare.

9-112-610 Recordkeeping – Financial reports.

9-112-620 Revoked, surrendered and rescinded licenses – Reissuance.

9-112-630 Violation – Penalty.

9-112-640 Impoundment of unlicensed vehicle.

9-112-650 Rules and regulations.

9-112-010 Definitions.

For purposes of this chapter the following definitions shall apply:

“Accessibility fund” means a fund used to improve the services of taxicabs and transportation network vehicles (as defined in Section 9-115-010) for people with disabilities. Uses of this fund include, but are not limited to, reimbursement for costs associated with converting or purchasing a vehicle to be used as a taxicab or transportation network vehicle that is fully wheelchair accessible by ramp or lift, and costs to a licensee for the provision of wheelchair-accessible vehicle taxi rides to customers where the cost to provide the ride exceeds the cost charged to the customer. The maximum amount of reimbursement per taxicab vehicle from the fund, and the conditions of reimbursement and the maximum amount of reimbursement per a transportation network vehicle from the fund will be established by rules, in consultation with, among other individuals as the Commissioner may determine, representatives from the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, the community of people with disabilities, the taxi industry, and the transportation network providers industry. The accessibility fund may also be used to cover administrative costs of programs designed to improve the services of taxicabs and transportation network vehicles for people with disabilities.

"Chauffeur" or "public chauffeur" means the driver of a taxicab vehicle, who is licensed by the City as a public chauffeur.

"Commissioner" means the City's Commissioner of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection or the Commissioner's designee.

"Council" means the City Council of the City of Chicago.

"Department" means the City's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.

"Fuel efficient vehicle" means a hybrid vehicle or alternative fuel vehicle (AFV), as defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), as amended, including any dedicated, flexible-fuel, or dual-fuel vehicle designed to operate on at least one alternative fuel. Alternative fuels include but are not limited to the following:

a. Compressed natural gas (CNG)

b. Biodiesel (B20 blend or higher)

c. Propane

d. Hydrogen

e. Electricity

"License broker" means any person who acts as an authorized agent in negotiating the transfer of a license or negotiating a loan secured or to be secured by an encumbrance upon transfer of a medallion license.

“License decal” means a sticker furnished by the Commissioner for outward-facing display as the physical representation of a license to operate as a taxicab.

“License manager” means any person who assumes or undertakes any or all of the responsibilities of the licensee, including, but not limited to, those responsibilities relating to the leasing of the taxicab vehicle.

“Licensee” means any person to whom the City has issued a license pursuant to this chapter.

“Model year” means that year designated in the vehicle manufacturer’s certificate of origin or on the vehicle title issued by the Secretary of State of Illinois or other state.

"Owner-Operator" means a licensee that (1) owns or controls no more than one taxicab medallion license and (2) who certifies that no chauffeur other than the individual license holder, his spouse, or his natural or legally adopted child will operate and drive the taxicab.

If the medallion license holder is a corporate entity, the 100 percent shareholder and/or the listed president of the corporate entity is considered the licensee for "owner- operator" status.

"Place of business in the City of Chicago" means (1) a location within the City where the City may send, and the licensee shall accept, notices of hearing or other notices from the City; and (2) a location within the City where a licensee maintains its business and financial records relating to the licenses involved.

"Straight meter fare" means the initial meter base fare and the standard time and distance meter rate set by this chapter. "Straight meter fare" does not include extra charges not measured by the meter or extra charges entered by the taxi driver, including, but not limited to, additional passengers charges, airport fees, convenience fees, surcharges, technology fees, tolls or vomit clean up fees.

"Taxicab" means a vehicle licensed under this chapter for hire at rates of fare set forth in this chapter, which are or should be recorded and indicated by a taximeter.

"Taxicab affiliation" means an association of licensees organized and incorporated for the purpose of providing its members with (1) a Chicago business address, (2) telephone number registered to the taxicab affiliation, (3) uniform color scheme, (4) trade name or emblem, (5) an approved two-way dispatch system, (6) insurance, and (7) the designation of an authorized registered agent. Members of a taxicab affiliation shall be known as "affiliates".

"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 this chapter. Taximeters must meet specifications set forth by the Commissioner in rules and regulations.

"Transfer of a license" means the buying, selling or assigning of a medallion license or medallion licenses or the buying, selling and assigning of more than 25 percent of the stock or other interest in a person that owns or controls a medallion license or medallion licenses, whether such ownership or control is through a subsidiary, successor or any other person.

"Two-way dispatch system" means a method of communication by which a dispatcher may communicate simultaneously or individually with the drivers of all vehicles in an organization and for each driver to communicate with the dispatcher, so long as the manner of usage of such device while driving a taxicab does not violate City, State or Federal regulations. For purposes of this definition, the term "organization" refers to the taxicab affiliation and all its affiliates.

"Vehicle Age" means the age of a vehicle computed by totaling the number of the years in between and including both the calendar year and the model year. For example a vehicle with a model year of 2009 has a vehicle age of 4 years in the 2012 calendar year (2009 + 2010 + 2011 + 2012).

“Wheelchair-accessible vehicle” or “WAV” means a vehicle that a person in a wheelchair may enter and exit independently or with assistance while seated in a wheelchair. A WAV shall safely secure and restrain the wheelchair.

“Wheelchair-accessible transportation network vehicle” has the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 9-115-010 of this Code.

(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; Amend Coun. J. 6-22-16, p. 27771, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 6; Amend Coun. J. 11-15-23, p. 6542, Art. VII, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 12-16-24, p. 23004, Part 1, Art. I, § 1)

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)

9-112-070 Specifications for taxicab vehicles.

The Commissioner may issue licenses for motor vehicles to operate as taxicabs according to the following:

(a) Vehicles having a manufacturer's rated seating capacity of ten or more persons, including the driver, may not be licensed as taxicabs.

(b) A vehicle must meet applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards for vehicles of its size, type and proposed use, in order to be licensed as a taxicab.

(1) Ten years for vehicles that are not designated pursuant to the Department's list of authorized vehicles as wheelchair accessible or fuel efficient.

(2) Fifteen years for vehicles that are designated pursuant to the Department's list of authorized vehicles as fuel efficient.

(3) Fifteen years for vehicles that are designated pursuant to the Department's list of authorized vehicles as wheelchair accessible.

(d) A licensee cannot place a vehicle with an odometer reading of 150,000 miles or greater in operation for the first time as a licensed taxicab.

(e) Any vehicle which has ever been issued the title class of either "salvage," "rebuilt," "junk," "total loss," or any equivalent classification in any jurisdiction is not eligible for operation as a taxicab.

(i) It is the affirmative duty of the licensee to ascertain that the taxicab vehicle is in compliance with this subsection.

(ii) Any vehicle placed in operation by a licensee as a taxicab in violation of this subsection is unsafe for purposes of Section 9-112-050 of this Code.

(iii) Any licensee that places a vehicle in operation as a taxicab in violation of this subsection is subject to immediate license suspension or revocation.

(iv) The Commissioner may by rule require licensees to submit a car history report at the licensee's expense.

(f) The Commissioner may by rule assert additional vehicle specifications that motor vehicles must meet before they can be approved as a taxicab and may by rule in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities extend the amount of time that a wheelchair-accessible vehicle may be in service.

(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 5-28-14, p. 82771, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 12-10-14, p. 101074, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. IX, § 10; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 6; Amend Coun. J. 12-16-24, p. 23004, Part 1, Art. I, § 1)

9-112-080 Change of taxicab equipment.

The Commissioner will promulgate by rules establishing the process that licensees must follow when a licensee replaces the taxicab vehicle (for purposes of this section, a "change of equipment"). For a change of equipment performed during a scheduled periodic inspection, the Commissioner shall assess a $25.00 change of equipment processing fee. For a change of equipment not performed during a scheduled periodic inspection, the Commissioner shall assess a $25.00 change of equipment processing fee.

(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. IX, § 11)

9-112-090 Application for issuance and renewal of license.

(a) An application for the issuance or renewal of a taxi license shall be made in writing to the Department on a form provided by the Department and signed and sworn to by the applicant or, if the applicant is a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership, by its authorized agent. Each application shall contain at a minimum:

(1) If the license applicant is an individual:

(i) The individual's full name, social security number, residence address, business address, business e-mail address, if any, and business telephone number;

(ii) Proof that the applicant is at least 18 years of age;

(2) If the license applicant is a corporation:

(i) The corporate name, Chicago business address and telephone number of the applicant;

(ii) The date and state of incorporation;

(iii) The full names, titles, dates of birth, social security numbers, residence addresses, e-mail addresses and residence telephone numbers of its corporate officers, stockholders and authorized agent;

(iv) Proof that all corporate officers are at least 18 years of age; and

(v) Proof that the corporation is in good standing under the laws of the State of Illinois.

(3) If the license applicant is a partnership or limited liability company:

(i) The name, Chicago business address and telephone number of the applicant;

(ii) The full names, social security numbers, residence addresses, e-mail addresses and residence telephone numbers of all partners and managers;

(iii) Proof that all partners, managers, managing members and members, as applicable, are at least 18 years of age.

(b) In addition to the license application requirements listed in subsection (a), and in addition to any other information that the Commissioner may reasonably require in connection with the issuance or renewal of a license, any applicant for license issuance or renewal shall provide to the Commissioner, in a manner the Commissioner prescribes: (i) the license plate number of each vehicle which the applicant will use if a license is issued with a document attesting that each such vehicle and equipment meet the inspection and vehicle standard requirements provided in this chapter; (ii) the Chicago business address and telephone number of the applicant's taxicab affiliation, if any; and (iii) the applicant's insurance policies as provided in Section 9-112-330.

(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 38042, Art. VI, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 6)

9-112-100 Qualifications for license or renewal of license.

(a) In order to qualify for a license, whether upon initial application or upon application for renewal of a license:

(1) an applicant shall be in compliance with all City, State of Illinois and Federal laws, and the provisions of this chapter; and

(2) an applicant shall have a place of business in the City of Chicago:

(i) with respect to any business entity applicant, the applicant shall be organized or qualified to do business under the laws of the State of Illinois; or

(ii) with respect to an individual applicant, the applicant shall reside and be domiciled in the City of Chicago; and

(3) an applicant for the issuance of a taxicab license shall submit a copy of the licensee's agreement with a taxicab affiliation licensed by the City. However, a licensee who owns only four or less medallions need not be affiliated.

(4) an applicant does not owe debt to the City as the term "debt" is defined in Section 4-4-150 of this Code.

(b) In determining whether an applicant is qualified for a license, or the renewal thereof, the Commissioner shall take into consideration:

(1) The character and reputation of the individual applicant and of the members, partners, owners, managers, officers or directors of a business entity applicant, including, if applicable, the disciplinary record of the applicant in the operation of the taxicab vehicle and the disciplinary record of the individual applicant, or of any member, partner, owner, manager, officer or director of a business entity applicant, as a public chauffeur;

(2) The applicant's financial ability to render lawful, safe, suitable and comfortable service and to maintain or replace the equipment for such service;

(3) The applicant's ability to maintain mandated insurance, including, but not limited to, liability insurance and worker's compensation insurance for the payment of personal injury, death, property damage, or other insurable claims; and

(4) The applicant's financial ability to pay all judgments and awards which may be rendered for any cause arising out of the operation of a taxicab vehicle.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section, no applicant is eligible for the issuance or renewal of a license if: (1) any Chicago taxicab or public passenger vehicle license or any Chicago public chauffeur license or restricted public chauffeur license held by the applicant (i) was revoked within the previous three years or (ii) was denied or rescinded within the 12-month period preceding the date of application; or (2) if the applicant, within the three years immediately preceding the date of application, has been either convicted, held in custody, under parole, or under any other noncustodial supervision resulting from a conviction in a court of any jurisdiction for the commission of any felony as defined by Article 2 of the Illinois Criminal Code of 2012, or its equivalent under federal or other jurisdictional law. Provided, however, that this subsection (c) shall not apply to any conviction for a minor cannabis offense, as defined in Section 4-4-005. For purposes of this section, the term "applicant" includes: (i) any individual; (ii) any officer, director, shareholder, member or manager of a company applicant; (iii) any partner in a partnership applicant; or (iv) any owner or manager of an applicant that is another type of business entity.

(d) When an applicant's Chicago taxicab or public passenger vehicle license or any Chicago public chauffeur license or restricted public chauffeur license is revoked as the result of a municipal code violation, the applicant may submit a written request to the Commissioner for eligibility to renew other existing taxicab licenses held by the applicant. In order to be eligible to renew other existing taxicab licenses held by the applicant at the time of revocation, any debt owed to the City for the revoked taxicab license must be satisfied or resolved by a settlement agreement. Upon receiving such written request, the Commissioner has the authority to grant or deny the request based upon objective factors including, but not limited to, the following considerations: (i) the grounds for revocation identified in Sections 9-112-380, 9-112-390, and other sections of this Code, (ii) an evaluation of the severity of the violation that resulted in the revoked license, (iii) additional and prior violations by the applicant, and (iv) other revocations of the applicant's licenses. Any applicant may seek review of the decision of the Commissioner denying such request in the manner provided by law.

(e) Eligibility for issuance of any license under this chapter shall be a continuing requirement for maintaining such license.

(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-6-12, p. 28356, § 16; Amend Coun. J. 12-10-14, p. 101074, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 38042, Art. VI, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. IX, § 12; Amend Coun. J. 2-19-20, p. 14101, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 1-27-21, p. 26741, Art. II, § 12; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 6)

9-112-110 Investigation and issuance of license.

(a) Upon receipt of an application for the issuance or renewal of a license, the Commissioner may investigate the applicant for compliance with all provisions of this code, including but not limited to: (1) the character and reputation of the applicant; and (2) the ability of the applicant to render safe transportation service, to maintain or replace the equipment for such service, and to pay all fees, fines, taxes, judgments and awards which may be rendered for any cause arising out of the operation of a taxicab during the license period.

(b) Every individual applicant and every agent of a business entity applicant shall be required to submit to a criminal background check as defined in Section 9-104-010, and shall provide photos of such person as required by the Commissioner. Applicants shall be responsible for the costs of such criminal background check and photos.

(c) As part of the application process, fees sufficient to cover the costs of processing the criminal background check and photos will be assessed in addition to the license fees set forth in Section 9-112-150 of this Code. Such fees shall be assessed regardless of whether the license applied for is issued or denied. The amount of the fees shall be set forth in rules promulgated by the Commissioner.

(d) The licensee shall provide a vehicle that is in safe and proper condition at the time the license is issued; and shall register the vehicle in applicant's name or, in the case of a leased vehicle, shall provide a copy of the lease, in a form acceptable to the Commissioner, that must cover at least the duration of the license for that vehicle and must include an acknowledgment by the lessor of the vehicle that he has given his consent for the vehicle to be used as a taxicab as licensed.

(e) All licenses shall expire on the date noted on the license unless renewed prior to the date of expiration or as specified by rule.

(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 38042, Art. VI, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. IX, § 13)

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