(a) If any public passenger vehicle shall become unsafe for operation or if its body or seating facilities shall be so damaged, deteriorated or unclean as to render the vehicle unfit for public use, the license therefor shall be suspended by the commissioner until the vehicle is made safe for operation and its body and seating facilities reconditioned, repaired, or replaced as directed by the commissioner. In determining whether any public passenger vehicle is unfit for public use, the commissioner shall give consideration to its effect on the safety, health, comfort and convenience of the drivers and passengers, and its public appearance on the streets of the city.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this code, the commissioner may seek all applicable penalties, including but not limited to fines, license suspension, or license revocation in addition to restitution or other equitable relief against any licensee who violates this chapter or any rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this code, the commissioner may seek suspension or revocation of the license of and/or the imposition of a fine not less than $75.00 nor more than $1,000.00 upon, and may seek an order of restitution or other equitable relief against any licensee who violates this chapter or any rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter. The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations 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. Before any suspension or revocation or fine is imposed, or equitable relief is ordered, the licensee shall be notified of the specific charges against him and of his right to a hearing in accordance with Chapter 2-14 of the Code.
(d) Upon suspension or revocation of a license, or imposition of any fine for cause under the provisions of this chapter, the commissioner shall remove the license emblem and the license card from the vehicle. The commissioner shall notify the department of police of every suspension or revocation and of the termination of any suspension. The department shall charge the licensee for the costs to reaffix and replace the license emblem and to re-issue the license card, upon payment of fines and termination of suspension. These costs shall be set by the rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner.
(e) If the commissioner has knowledge that a licensee has been charged with the commission of a felony, as defined in Article 2 of the Illinois Criminal Code of 1961, as amended, arising in connection with the provision of public passenger vehicle services, the commissioner shall immediately suspend all public passenger licenses of the licensee until final adjudication is made with respect to such charges.
(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2)