(A) License required. No person shall engage in the business of contractor within the village without first obtaining a license therefor. Application for the license shall be made and the license shall be issued as provided in the code. No contractor shall engage in business without first obtaining a professional certification, if required by state statute.
(B) Expiration. All contractor licenses shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance. All contractor licenses shall become invalid if a bond or certificate of insurance expires or is cancelled. A contractor licensed by the State of Illinois who registers with the village shall not be required to obtain a village license so long as its/his/her Illinois license remains valid and he/she/it maintains the required bond or certificate of insurance.
(C) Annual fee. The cost of an annual contractor license shall be remitted in accordance with § 150.12. A contractor's business license fee will be waived if the contractor is required by state law to obtain a professional permit, license or certificate on an annual basis from any department or agency of the state. A license will be required unless satisfactory evidence is offered that the professional certification has been obtained.
(D) Bond. Before any license is issued, the contractor must provide the village with a corporate surety bond, in the amount of $10,000, conditioned to indemnify and hold the village harmless from liability, loss or damage resulting from the work undertaken or performed by the contractor. Such bond shall also guarantee completion of the work in conformance with all applicable codes. House moving, raising or shoring projects require a public liability insurance policy in an amount not less than $100,000.
(E) Insurance. All contractors shall file with the village, prior to the issuance of a building permit, a certificate of insurance with coverage as follows:
(1) Public liability insurance for each person in the sum of $100,000 and for each accident in the sum of $300,000.
(2) Property damage insurance in the amount of $50,000 limited to not less than $10,000 for each accident.
(F) Existing violations. The village is not required to issue a building permit or contractor license to any contractor responsible for existing code violations until such violations have been corrected.
(G) Suspension, revocation of contractor license. When any licensed contractor commits one or more of the offenses listed below, a committee consisting of the Village President, Village Clerk and Director of Fire and Building shall be authorized to summarily order the suspension of a company's or individual's contractor license. Within seven days after a license or permit is suspended, the committee shall call a hearing for the purpose of determining whether or not the license or permit should be revoked. Contractor licenses issued by the village may be suspended or revoked after notice and hearing, for any of the following causes:
(1) Any fraud, misrepresentation or false statement contained in the application for the license or construction permit;
(2) Failure to obtain necessary building permits for work requiring a permit;
(3) Failure to comply with the applicable building codes, or failure to correct such violation of the building codes;
(4) Pattern of code violations or defects in construction performed in the village;
(5) Conviction of any felony or of a misdemeanor where such conviction indicates an inability to perform building or construction services in a safe, honest and legitimate manner;
(6) Failure of the licensee to pay any fine, penalty, fee or charge owed to the village;
(7) Refusal to permit an inspection or material sampling, or any interference with an authorized village representative performing his or her inspection duties.
(H) Revocation of a contractor's license shall not preclude prosecution and imposition of any other penalties provided for the violation of other provisions of this code or other village ordinances.
(I) Notice of the hearing for revocation of a contractor's license shall be given to the licensee at his/her/its last known address by regular and certified mail, return receipt requested, setting forth specifically the grounds of the complaint and the time and place of the public hearing. Such notice shall be sent at least five days prior to the date set for the hearing. If the licensee requests a continuance of the hearing, a suspension of the license shall be in effect until the Committee renders a decision. Within a reasonable time after the conclusion of the hearing, but not later than five days after the hearing is concluded, the Village President shall file a written decision and findings of fact.
(Ord. 1123, passed 1-28-20)