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(a) General. Charter/sightseeing vehicles shall not be used for transportation of passengers except on sightseeing tours or charter trips.
No person shall solicit passengers for sightseeing tours upon any public way except at stands specially designated by the City Council for sightseeing vehicles.
Each charter/sightseeing vehicle that is not subject to requirements to display identification or information pursuant to rules imposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Illinois Commerce Commission, or federal or state law shall display the City of Chicago public vehicle (for purposes of this section, "COCPV") license number, preceded by the initials "COCPV", and the name of and a contact telephone number for the owner. For purposes of this section, a license plate is not "identification information". The markings required by this section must:
(1) Be painted or otherwise permanently affixed to, and appear on both sides of the vehicle;
(2) Be in letters that contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed;
(3) Be readily legible, during daylight hours, from a distance of 50 feet while the vehicle is stationary; and
(4) Be kept and maintained in a manner that retains the legibility required by the preceding paragraph (3).
The driver of a charter/sightseeing vehicle shall keep an itinerary identifying the point of origin and each stop for the current trip, in such form and format as the Commissioner specifies, and shall present that itinerary to Authorized City Personnel, as that term is defined in Section 9-114-315, upon request.
The owner of each charter/sightseeing vehicle subject to City licensure under this chapter shall include their City license account (I.R.I.S.) number on all advertising and promotional materials for the charter/sightseeing service, on any web page promoting or describing the charter/sightseeing service, and on any trip contract used for the trip.
(b) Trips that include alcohol. In addition to the requirements of subsection (a), the requirements and restrictions of this subsection (b) apply to each trip with fifteen or more passengers that includes the opportunity for passengers to consume alcoholic liquor either: (i) while on the vehicle, or (ii) during an interim stop on the trip (i.e. a stop other than the point of origin or final destination).
(1) Each charter/sightseeing vehicle subject to this subsection (b) that: (i) has no itinerary stops (i.e. hired for the opportunity for social or recreational activity on the vehicle); or (ii) serves or allows the consumption of alcoholic liquor on the vehicle shall comply with all of the following requirements: (i) contain a security guard to accompany the driver for the entire trip; (ii) be equipped with one or more fully operational security cameras meeting specifications set by rule; and (iii) have a written plan of operation addressing safety protocols which shall be kept in the vehicle and shall be available for inspection by Authorized City Personnel, as that term is defined in Section 9-114-315, upon request.
(2) Each charter/sightseeing vehicle subject to this subsection (b) with an itinerary of listed stops shall comply with all of the following requirements: (i) contain personnel, who could be the driver or another individual, trained in safety protocols to ensure the safety of the passengers, the chauffeur/driver and the public for the entire trip, and (ii) be equipped with one or more fully operational security cameras meeting specifications set by rule; and (iii) have a written plan of operation addressing safety protocols which shall be kept in the vehicle and shall be available for inspection by Authorized City Personnel, as that term is defined in Section 9-114-315, upon request.
The owner, driver of a charter/sightseeing vehicle or security guard shall take affirmative measures to determine that no passenger is in violation of Section 9-114-315(b)(4).
Upon commencing a trip in the City of Chicago, or upon or prior to entering the City of Chicago, the driver of a charter/sightseeing vehicle or security guard shall present to each passenger the text of subsections 9-114-315(b) and (c). This text may be presented via an information sheet or placard, a spoken presentation to the passengers, or a video. The presentation shall be subject to discretionary audit by Authorized City Personnel, as that term is defined in Section 9-114-315.
No charter/sightseeing vehicle shall include a stop for purposes of visiting any public park during the hours the park is closed.
(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 4-19-17, p. 47373, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-7-18, p. 88803, § 26; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 7)
Any owner who has been found liable for unlicensed operation, or who has otherwise been subjected to disciplinary action for violations of this chapter, may be required to enter into a plan of operation acceptable to the Commissioner as a condition of being allowed to engage in or resume licensed operation. Any such plan of operation shall be imposed at the Commissioner's direction and shall contain such requirements and restrictions that the Commissioner determines are necessary and appropriate to ensure safe operation, taking into account the nature and number of the pertinent violations.
A cease-and-desist order imposed for a violation committed in conjunction with any charter/sightseeing vehicle shall apply to all charter/sightseeing vehicles in that owner's fleet. A license suspension or revocation imposed for a violation committed in conjunction with any charter/sightseeing vehicle shall apply to all charter/sightseeing vehicles in that owner's fleet. The Commissioner shall consider the number and nature of violations that trigger license suspension or revocation on a fleet-wide basis as opposed to a vehicle-specific basis. For purposes of this paragraph, "fleet" shall mean all charter/sightseeing vehicles under common ownership.
(Added Coun. J. 4-19-17, p. 47373, § 1)
(a) It is unlawful for any charter/sightseeing licensee to display any advertising sign or device on or in a licensed charter/sightseeing vehicle before the advertising sign or device is approved by the Commissioner and permitted pursuant to the elements specified in this section and rules promulgated thereunder.
(b) Charter/sightseeing licensees or licensed advertisement vendors may apply for permits to display an advertising sign or device on the exterior or the interior of the vehicle, or both. Separate permits are required for each exterior and interior advertising display. The Commissioner shall promulgate rules: (1) specifying the locations on the charter/sightseeing vehicle where advertising signs or devices may be displayed; (2) describing the permissible design, construction, and method of affixing the display to the vehicle; and (3) specifying insurance requirements for approving a permit to display an advertising sign or device on or in the charter/sightseeing vehicle. The rules also may include additional guidelines for such displays and the permit process. In establishing such criteria, considerations shall include:
(1) visual clutter and aesthetics on the public way;
(2) the safety and comfort of passengers, drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists;
(3) the visibility of all information required by this chapter, Department rules, or other laws to be displayed on the interior or exterior of charter/sightseeing vehicles, including, but not limited to, vehicle numbers, ownership indicia, lights, and safety signals;
(c) The Department shall inform applicants for an advertising display permit under this section whether the application is approved or disapproved within thirty business days after its receipt of the completed application, unless it gives the applicant written notice that it needs an additional thirty business days and the reasons therefor. If the application is approved and the requirements of subsections (d) and (e) complied with, the Department shall issue an advertising display permit. If the Department denies the permit application, it shall provide written notice of its decision within such time period, stating the specific grounds and rules that form the basis for such denial. If the Department fails to so act within thirty business days after receipt of the application, or sixty business days if it has given advance notice of the need for an additional review period, the application shall be deemed granted and the permit shall be issued, provided that the permit fee has been paid.
(d) The fee for the issuance of any interior or exterior advertising display permit shall be $100.00 for each display, due at time of application. This fee shall be in addition to the personal property lease transaction tax that applies to lease or rental payments pursuant to Chapter 3-32. An advertising display permit applicant shall have satisfied all debt, as defined in Section 4-4-150, to the City before the Department may issue the permit.
(e) Where the Commissioner has by rule approved any type of advertising display device that involves the installation of a physical apparatus on or in the charter/sightseeing vehicle, an inspection is required as part of the advertising permitting process. The fee for such inspection shall be an additional $100.00, due prior to inspection by the person or entity installing the advertising display device on or in the charter/sightseeing vehicle.
(f) An advertising permit issued under this section shall expire one year after the date of issue, unless sooner surrendered, revoked, or terminated.
(g) No permit for advertising issued pursuant to this section shall be transferred or assigned.
(h) The denial, rescission, suspension, or revocation of a license issued pursuant to this chapter shall act as the suspension or revocation of any advertising permit issued hereunder to the affected charter/sightseeing vehicles.
(i) Each licensee to whom a permit is issued under this section shall maintain complete and accurate records of all revenues received from the display of any advertising sign or device. Each such licensee shall submit to the Commissioner, upon request, an affidavit in such form as may be required by the Commissioner, stating the gross revenues received by the licensee from the display of any advertising sign or device, and any other financial information that the Commissioner may determine is relevant in monitoring advertising revenues.
(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-14-18, p. 90376, Art. IV, § 7; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 7)
ARTICLE IV. MEDICAR (9-114-340 et seq.)
(a) Vehicles of any size licensed by the State of Illinois as medical carriers pursuant to the Illinois Vehicle Code, Illinois Revised Statutes Chapter 95-1/2, Paragraph 8-101 et seq. and Paragraph 13-101-1, et seq. (1985), as amended, may be licensed as medical carriers.
(b) No vehicle shall be licensed as a medicar vehicle unless it has two doors on each side and meets applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for vehicles of its size, type and proposed use.
(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2)
ARTICLE V. JITNEY CAR SERVICES (9-114-345 et seq.)
(a) Vehicles having a manufacturer's rated seating capacity of nine or more persons, including the driver, may not be licensed as jitneys.
(b) No vehicle shall be licensed as a jitney vehicle unless it has two doors and meets applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for vehicles of its size, type and proposed use.
(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 7)
Editor's note – Formerly § 9-114-350.
(a) Jitneys may provide service only at a flat rate prominently published within the vehicle. The commissioner shall prescribe by rule the maximum rates allowable for jitney service.
(b) Jitneys may not refuse service to the residents within the neighborhoods in which they operate.
(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19118, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 7)
Editor's note – Formerly § 9-114-360.
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