(a) Upon receipt of an application for the issuance or renewal of a license, the Commissioner may investigate the applicant for compliance with 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 applicant shall be required to submit to a criminal background check and shall provide photos of the applicant as required by the Commissioner. Applicants shall be responsible for the costs of the 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 9-114-070 of this Code. The criminal background check and photo fees will 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 such lessor has given his consent for the vehicle to be used as a public passenger vehicle as licensed.
(e) All licenses issued pursuant to this chapter are the property of the City of Chicago, and all of the licensee's privileges due to holding that license are subject to rescission, revocation and termination.
(f) 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, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-21-17, p. 61755, Art. IX, § 26)