(a) For purposes of this section, "residential building" means any structure containing two or more dwelling units.
(b) Any public utility engaged in furnishing or supplying gas to a residential building where such gas is used for water heating or space heating must, prior to terminating or cutting off such service or supply for any reason other than customer request, including cutting off gas supplies to illegal gas connections or emergencies, notify the building commissioner of its intention to do so. Such notice shall be delivered to the building commissioner in the manner and in the form prescribed by the commissioner. The notice required by this section shall include, but not be limited to, the street address of the building, the number of units in the building, the date on which service or supply will be terminated or cut off, and the account billing name and address for the building. The notice shall indicate clearly that the building for which the notice is provided is a residential building as defined in sub-section (a) of this section. Such notice shall not be made as part of a list of, or commingled with, addresses of buildings that are not residential buildings as defined in subsection (a) of this section. Where an immediate termination or cutting off of such service or supply is necessary to protect the public safety, the prior notice required by this section, and any penalties for failure to provide the notice required by this section, may be waived by the building commissioner, provided that notice is given as soon as possible and in no case later than eight hours after such action is taken and such notice otherwise complies in full with the requirements of this subsection.
(c) Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine of $500.00. For each termination, for each building, and for each day that any notice required by this section has not been given, the failure to provide such notice shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
(d) In addition to the fines provided in subsection (c) of this section, a public utility that violates this section shall be liable for any and all costs incurred by the City as a result of its violation of this section.
(e) Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to preclude or interfere with the implementation by a gas utility company of measures necessary to assure the provision of adequate, efficient, reliable and environmentally safe service, as required by the Illinois Public Utilities Act (220 ILCS 5/1-101, et seq.).
(f) The Building Commissioner shall have the authority to issue rules necessary or proper to accomplish the purposes of this section in accordance with Section 14A-1-104.4.
(Added Coun. J. 3-27-02, p. 82127, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 9-14-21, p. 35949, Art. XV, § 6)