from the Chicago Dispatcher
September 2009
By Jessica Ernst
(...continued)
Davenport asserts that she understands the needs of taxicab drivers. She views them as a diverse group with various religious and political affiliations, home countries and backgrounds. TaxiPlan helps taxicab drivers when they cannot work together or defend themselves when at odds with the city.
She believes cabdrivers need to be defended or else their jobs could be jeopardized. They need to continue working to support themselves and their families.
“When they're not represented, I think they get a rough ride," she said.
For instance, if a regular commuter runs through a stop sign without stopping, he or she goes to court for a hearing. If a cabdriver runs through a stop sign, he or she can be fined without a hearing. “As a private citizen, you have more rights than a cabdriver,” explained Davenport.
“What can we do?” she asked.
Davenport can't resolve the laws regulated by the city, but she can tackle what's getting thrown at drivers.
Her team at TaxiPlan offers advice and outlines options for taxicab drivers when they violate city rules. When drivers are aware of their choices, they can make educated decisions. Without legal help, cabdrivers could end up paying more that they can afford.
“It's just a bad system,” Davenport said. “They're getting the bad end of the deal...all the time.”
City laws and violations are not the only problems cabdrivers deal with. They must also face consumer grievances.
“There's a certain prejudice against cabdrivers,” especially when passengers are intoxicated, upset or angry. “People want to complain.”
When passengers call in complaints, the city attorney decides whether or not the cabdriver is prosecuted. When it's the passenger's word against the cabdriver's, the passenger usually wins.
Without legal representation, cabdrivers may not be aware of their full rights to defend themselves in court or at 400 West Superior. City violations and consumer grievances can prevent them from working. TaxiPlan is the solution for some of them.
But of course, not all drivers get the desired outcome with legal representation. Sometimes drivers have to settle for the smallest punishment when up against the city.
Many drivers are grateful for the legal help they can get. Sometimes long-time customers drop in to say, “Oh, hi, you did a great job the other day.”
“Every day is a crazy story,” Davenport said.
Jennifer Davenport can be contacted at (312) 441-1141, and her office is located at 150 N Wacker Drive, Suite 2020, Chicago, IL, 60606.
My opinion is that anyone that deals with Davenport and Associates ends up getting it in the backside.
Davenport is just a puppet for some New York guys that continue to buy more and more Chicago taxi medallions.
If her defense and other services are so good her office would be overflowing with work from drivers and there wouldn't be any need to advertise.
I would suspect a trip to the ARDC will be in the near future for Jenny. How many times can someone go to the well before they fall in? Charlie steal your medallion Goodbar almost lost his license for good over this stuff.
The ruse they(Davenport, Goodbar, etc.) use is familiar. Pretend to be representing you, but really represent the interests of the guy in New york. This includes offers to finance. Think kickbacks.
As far as the taxi drivers representation program goes, Davenport just walks in and takes whatever offer the city gives. If you can speak English and comprehend you would do better yourself. She and her assistants do not want to alienate the city attorneys. They need to be on friendly terms to be able to settle real cases for the New York guys. Does anyone really think Davenport will fight for 140.00 per year?
Jennifer Davenport will be speaking at the Chicago Dispatcher's Town Hall meeting on September 22.
What: The Chicago Dispatcher Town Hall Meetings
When: Every Tuesday at 7:00 pm.
Where: Lincoln Restaurant
4008 N. Lincoln (Where Lincoln, Irving Park Road and Damen come together.
***Free parking available in back.***
Everyone welcome!
George, Is this town hall meeting something new? Do you preside?
At least Goodbar was rewarded with many medallions from his swindles. Jenny from the block doesn't own any taxi's that I know of. She works for the commissions/kickbacks. One day you will realize what I have been telling of here on your forum is 99.9 percent the way it is. The other .1 percent was the amount I was fooled. We all fall for a good one once in awhile. You have banned all of the real informed drivers from posting here. Are they still banned?
Watch for a private email from me to you in your inbox.
