Each person driving a taxicab must be licensed as such. Each applicant for a drivers license must meet the following requirements:
(A) Age. Be of the age of 18 years or over;
(B) Chauffeurs license. Be the holder of a chauffeurs license issued by the state;
(C) Physical fitness. Be of sound physique and good eye sight, and not subject to epilepsy, vertigo, heart trouble, or any other infirmity of body or mind which might render him or her unfit for the safe operation of a taxicab;
(D) Literacy. Be able to read and write the English language;
(E) Cleanliness. Be clean in dress and person and not addicted to the use of narcotic drugs or intoxicating liquors;
(F) Affidavits of character. Must produce on forms to be provided by the city, affidavits of from two reputable citizens who have known him or her personally and observed his or her conduct during one year preceding the date of his or her application verifying the applicant’s reputation, honesty and integrity, and a further testimonial on a form provided for that purpose from his or her last employer unless good cause is shown for failure to produce such testimonial;
(G) Personal information. Must complete and submit an application provided by the city providing the applicant’s, first name, middle name, suffix, date of birth, present address, place of residence for five years prior to his or her present address, sex, race, social security number, driver’s license number, weight, eye color, hair color, citizenship, resident alien I.D. number, drivers license restrictions, driver's license state of issue, driver’s license expiration date, names of all previous employers for the past three years, maiden last name, alias first name, alias middle name, whether he or she has ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, whether he or she has ever had their driving privileges suspended or revoked in this state or any other, and whether he or she has previously been licensed as a chauffeur. All applicants shall submit to being fingerprinted by the city’s Police Department for submission to the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification and the Federal Bureau of Investigations for a criminal conviction.
(H) Criminal history background investigation. The applicant shall also sign an application or a conviction information request form to be submitted to the Illinois State Police by the Metropolis City Police Department. The application or form shall be signed and sworn to by the applicant and filed with the Chief of Police as a permanent record. No license shall be issued until such application has been signed, verified, and filed with the Police Department and all fees required to be paid for the history and background investigation/conviction information request shall have been paid in full. The investigation of all applications for licenses under the provisions under this section shall be conducted under the supervision of the Chief of Police who shall endorse his recommendation thereon and forward the same to the City Clerk. Provided, however, the temporary license may be issued pending such investigation, not to exceed 30 days. No license shall be issued to any person under the provisions of this chapter who has been convicted of a felony.
(1977 Code, § 6-5-5) (Am. Ord. 2003-6, passed 3-24-2003) Penalty, see § 10.99