Proposed Rules & Regulations Changes for Public Chauffeurs
The following lists the old rule(s) followed by the proposed rule(s). Due to the length of these rules, we will continue with these rules in later postings.
Old Rule No. 17.5 – 20.1
Requisite geographical knowledge to transport passengers
a. All public chauffeurs are required to know, or have reference material immediately available to determine, the location of and the most direct route to any hospital, government office building, museum, hotel, institute of higher learning, theater, and other place of general interest (e.g., a place commonly known because of its civic, cultural, or historic qualities) located within the City of Chicago and indicated by a passenger as his destination.
b. All public chauffeurs are required to know, or have reference material immediately available to determine, the location of and the most direct route to any address located within the City of Chicago and indicated by a passenger as his destination.
c. Upon being given a destination by a passenger, the public chauffeur shall proceed immediately to such destination by the most direct route, unless directed by the passenger to take another route.
d. Public chauffeurs who need to consult reference material to determine the location of or most direct route to a passenger’s destination may do so for a reasonable time provided that the meter is not activated during such time.
e. Any violation of this rule shall constitute a major offense. In addition to imposing a fine and/or suspension for violation of this section, a hearing officer may order the public chauffeur to pay monetary restitution in the amount of any undue fare collected.
f. Any public chauffeur found to have violated this rule, in addition to the penalties provided in paragraph (f) above, shall be required to complete again the public chauffeur training course as provided in Rule 2.1 of these Rules and Regulations, and, after the second or subsequent such offense, shall be required to retake and pass the written examination as provided in Rule 2 of these Rules and Regulations. In the event that a public chauffeur, pursuant to this rule, is required to complete the public chauffeur training course, failure to do so within thirty days after being notified will result in his chauffeur’s license being suspended until he submits proof that he has successfully completed the course. In the event that a chauffeur, pursuant to this rule, is required to pass the written examination, failure to do so within thirty days after being notified will result in his chauffeur’s license being suspended until he successfully passes the examination.
Rule No. 18 False information.
Chauffeurs shall not misinform passengers as to locations or knowingly give them any false information.
Rule No. 19 Soliciting patronage prohibited.
Chauffeurs shall not solicit patronage for any restaurant, night club, cabaret, dance hall, hotel, public resort, place of amusement, nor solicit any person for transportation to any prostitute or house of ill fame or disorderly place nor transport any passenger to any place other than the destination to which the passenger has requested transportation.
Rule No. 20 Loitering and gambling forbidden.
While his Public Passenger Vehicle is in service, no Public Chauffeur shall leave his vehicle to join any assembly or crowd of people upon any public way, and when standing or awaiting passengers he shall be at all times in the immediate proximity of the vehicle of which he is in charge, but not further than ten (10) feet away. A Public Chauffeur shall not park or leave his vehicle in any place to engage in dice, cards, or any other game of chance in or about the vehicle.
Rule No. 20.1 Littering Prohibited.
No chauffeur may discard any paper, trash, garbage, or any other litter while on the public way, cab stand, cab staging area, vehicle inspection facility, or any other location within the city except by properly placing it in a proper trash or garbage receptacle.
New Rule 5.04 – 5.08
Requisite Geographical Knowledge to Transport Passengers.
a. All Chauffeurs are required to know or have reference material immediately available to determine the location of and the most direct route to any hospital, government office building, museum, hotel, institute of higher learning, theater, and other place of general interest (e.g., a place commonly known because of its civic, cultural, or historic qualities) located within the City of Chicago and indicated by a passenger as his destination.
b. All Chauffeurs are required to know or have reference material immediately available to determine the location of and the most direct route to any address located within the City of Chicago and indicated by a passenger as his destination.
c. Upon being given a destination by a passenger, the Chauffeur shall proceed immediately to such destination by the most direct route, unless directed by the passenger to take another route.
d. Chauffeur who need to consult reference material to determine the location of or most direct route to a passenger’s destination may do so for a reasonable time provided that the meter is not activated during such time.
e. Any violation of this rule shall constitute a major offense. In addition to imposing a fine and/or suspension for violation of this section, a hearing officer may order the Chauffeur to pay monetary restitution in the amount of any undue fare collected.
f. Any Chauffeur found to have violated this rule, in addition to the penalties provided in paragraph (e) above, shall be required to complete again the Public Chauffeur Training Course as provided in Rule 1.03 of these Rules and Regulations, and, after the second or subsequent such offense, shall be required to retake and pass the written examination as provided in rule 1.05 of these Rules and Regulations. In the event that a Chauffeur, pursuant to this rule, is required to complete the Public Chauffeur Training Course, failure to do so within thirty days after being notified will result in his Public Chauffeur License being suspended until he submits proof that he has successfully completed the course. In the event that a Chauffeur, pursuant to this rule, is required to pass the written examination, failure to do so within thirty days after being notified will result in his Public Chauffeur License being suspended until he successfully passes the examination.
Rule 5.05 False Information.
Chauffeurs shall not misinform passengers, prospective passengers, or city officials or knowingly give them any false information.
Rule 5.06 Soliciting Patronage Prohibited.
Chauffeurs shall not solicit patronage for any business, legal or otherwise, nor transport any passenger to any place other than the destination to which the passenger has requested transportation.
Rule 5.07 Loitering and Gambling Forbidden.
While his Public Passenger Vehicle is in service, no Chauffeur shall leave his vehicle to join any assembly or crowd of people upon any public way, and when standing or awaiting passengers he shall be at all times in the immediate proximity of the vehicle of which he is in charge, but not further than ten (10) feet away. A Chauffeur shall not park or leave his vehicle in any place to engage in dice, cards, or any other game of chance in or about the vehicle.
Rule 5.08 Littering Prohibited.
No Chauffeur may discard any paper, trash, garbage, or any other litter while on the public way, cab stand, cab staging area, vehicle inspection facility, or any other location within the city except by properly placing it in a proper trash or garbage receptacle.
Old Rule No. 20.2
Passenger rights.
Drivers shall comply with the requests of passengers concerning:
a) the activation of the air-conditioning system or the hearing system of the vehicle;
b) the raising or lowering of any windows of the vehicle; or
c) the volume of a radio or tape or compact disc player.
New Rule No. 12.04
Passenger Rights.
Chauffeurs shall comply with the requests of passengers concerning:
a. The activation of the air-conditioning system or the heating system of the vehicle;
b. The raising or lowering of any windows of the vehicle; or
c. The volume of any electronic device within the vehicle.
Old Rule No. 21-25
Rule No. 21 Discourtesy; assault, abusive behavior; operating under the influence;
reckless driving.
a. Public Chauffeurs shall be courteous to passengers, prospective passengers and other drivers at all times.
b. Chauffeurs shall not assault, threaten, abuse, insult, provoke, interfere with, use profane language or obscene gestures around, impede or obstruct any person in connection with the operation of their vehicles.
c. No Chauffeur shall operate his Public Passenger Vehicle under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances or illegal drugs, nor shall he consume or possess any of these while operating his Public Passenger Vehicle.
d. Chauffeurs will operate their motor vehicles in a safe and courteous manner at all times. Conduct constituting a violation of this section includes, but is not limited to, operating a taxicab in such a manner as to constitute a violation of any provision of Articles 2 through 12 of the Rules of the Road of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-100 et seq.).
e. Except in an emergency situation, conversing on a cellular telephone while the taxicab is in motion shall also be deemed a violation of section (d) above. If the Department receives a complaint regarding improper cellular phone use, the complaint shall create a rebuttable presumption that a violation of section (d) above has occurred.
f. Any driver who is found to have violated subparagraphs (b), (c), or (d) of this rule shall, in addition to any other sanction imposed for a violation of this rule, shall be required to provide new certification by an Illinois- licensed physician that the chauffeur has the ability to operate a public vehicle safely, and shall also provide proof that the chauffeur has taken and passed a test, conducted by authorities approved by the commissioner, for the presence of illegal drugs in the body. The license of the chauffeur order to undergo such tests shall be suspended until such time as the chauffeur has provided the Department appropriate documentation that the chauffeur has passed such tests.
g. Any driver who is found to have violated subparagraphs (b), (c), or (d) of this rule shall, in addition to any other sanction imposed for a violation of this rule, shall be required, within 30 days of the finding by the hearing officer that such violation occurred, to successfully complete a retraining course designated by the Commissioner. In the event that the chauffeur fails to provide certification that he has completed the designated retraining course within 30 days, his chauffeur license shall be suspended until such time as he provides such certification.
Rule No. 22 Proper attire.
Drivers shall be clean and neat in their appearance at all times. Drivers must wear a shirt or blouse with sleeves.
Rule No. 23 Lost and found--duty to turn in recovered articles.
a. A chauffeur shall thoroughly search the interior of the vehicle for lost articles immediately at the termination of each trip.
b. A chauffeur shall immediately return to the Department of Consumer Services-Public Vehicle Operations Division, Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., or to the registered Lost and Found Office, if any, of his company, any item, including money, left in the vehicle of which he is in charge.
c. A chauffeur shall give his name, chauffeur license number, vehicle number, date and time of trip, place of origin and destination of trip, and physical description of the possible owner to the Department of Consumer Services-Public Vehicle Operations Division or registered office.
d. Under no circumstances may found property be kept or turned over to License Holders or their affiliations not having a registered Lost-and-Found Office.
e. All articles held by the Department of Consumer Services-Public Vehicle Operations Division not claimed within sixty (60) days shall be turned over to the finder.
Rule No. 24 Duty to surrender license to authorized personnel.
A Public Chauffeur shall upon request of a police officer or authorized personnel of the Department of Consumer Services surrender his Public Chauffeur license and supply any additional information requested concerning the operation of his Public Passenger Vehicle.
Rule No. 24.1 Bribery prohibited.
Chauffeurs will not offer or give to any public employee or official any money, valuables, property, or personal advantage, which that person is not authorized by law to accept, to influence the official performance of their duties.
Rule No. 25 Driving while under suspension
a. No Public Chauffeur shall operate a Public Passenger Vehicle while his chauffeur license or Illinois driver's license is under suspension or revocation.
b. In the event that a Public Chauffeur has his Illinois driver's license suspended or revoked, his public chauffeur license is automatically suspended, and he must surrender his public chauffeur license to the Department of Consumer Services immediately.
c. A violation of this rule is an aggravated major offense and shall be cause for revocation.
New Rule No. 5.09 – 5.14
Discourtesy; Assault, Abusive Behavior; Operating Under the Influence; Reckless Driving.
a. Chauffeurs shall be courteous to passengers, prospective passengers, and other drivers at all times.
b. Chauffeurs shall not assault, threaten, abuse, insult, provoke, interfere with, use profane language or obscene gestures around, impede or obstruct any person in connection with the operation of their vehicles.
c. No Chauffeur shall operate his Public Passenger Vehicle under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances or illegal drugs, nor shall he consume or possess any of these while operating his Public Passenger Vehicle.
d. Chauffeurs will operate their Public Passenger Vehicles in a safe and courteous manner at all times. Conduct constituting a violation of this section includes, but is not limited to, operating a taxicab in such a manner as to constitute a violation of any provision of Articles 2 through 12 of the Rules of the Road of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-100 et seq.).
e. Using a cellular telephone or other electronic device, whether or not hands-free, while operating a taxicab shall be deemed a violation of section (d) above. If the Department receives a complaint regarding improper cellular telephone or other electronic device use, the complaint shall create a rebuttable presumption that a violation of section (d) above has occurred.
f. Any Chauffeur who is found to have violated subparagraphs (b), (c), or (d) of this rule shall, in addition to any other sanction imposed for a violation of this rule, be required to provide new certification by an Illinois licensed physician that the Chauffeur has the ability to operate a Public Passenger Vehicle safely, and shall also provide proof that the Chauffeur has taken and passed a test, conducted by authorities approved by the Commissioner, for the presence of illegal drugs in the body. The license of the Chauffeur ordered to undergo such tests shall be suspended until such time as the Chauffeur has provided the Department appropriate documentation that the Chauffeur has passed such tests.
g. Any Chauffeur who is found to have violated subparagraphs (b), (c), or (d) of this rule shall, in addition to any other sanction imposed for a violation of this rule, be required, within 30 days of the finding by the hearing officer that such violation occurred, to successfully complete a Public Chauffeur continuing Education Course. In the event that the chauffeur fails to provide certification hat he has completed the Public Chauffeur Continuing Education Course within 30 days, his Public Chauffeur License shall be suspended until such time as he provides such certification.
Rule 5.10 Proper Attire.
Chauffeurs shall be clean and neat in their appearance at all times. Chauffeurs must wear a shirt or blouse with sleeves.
Rule 5.11 Lost and Found – Duty to Turn in Recovered Articles.
a. A Chauffeur shall thoroughly search the interior of the vehicle for lost articles immediately at the termination of each trip.
b. A Chauffeur shall within twenty-four hours return to the lost and found office of his affiliation any item, including money, left in the vehicle of which he is in charge. If the Chauffeur is operating an unaffiliated taxicab, the Chauffeur shall within twenty-four hours return the lost item to the Chicago Police Department district station nearest to the location where the property was found and contact the Department of Consumer Services to log the item.
c. A Chauffeur shall give his name, Public Chauffeur License number, vehicle number, date and time of trip, place of origin and destination of trip, and physical description of the possible owner to the lost and found office of the affiliation or to the Chicago Police Department.
d. Under no circumstances may found property be kept or turned over to any person other than the owner of the property, the Chicago Police Department or the affiliation lost and found office.
e. All articles held by the lost and found office of an affiliation not claimed within ninety (90) days shall be turned over to the finder.
Rule 5.12 Duty to Surrender License to Authorized Personnel.
a. A Chauffeur shall upon request of Authorized Personnel surrender his Public Chauffeur License or Restricted Public Chauffeur License and supply any additional information requested concerning the operation of his Public Passenger Vehicle.
b. A Chauffeur shall have an affirmative duty to surrender to Authorized Personnel his Public Chauffeur License or Restricted Public Chauffeur License and supply any additional information requested whenever he takes a leave of absence of any amount of time, be it for travel, illness, other work, etc. Notwithstanding the surrender of a Public Chauffeur License or Restricted Public Chauffeur License, a Chauffeur must renew his license pursuant to 9-104-080 MCC and Section III of these Rules.
Rule 5.13 Bribery Prohibited.
Chauffeurs will not offer or give to any public employee or official any money, valuables, property, or personal advantage, which that person is not authorized by law to accept, to influence the official performance of their duties.
Rule 5.14 Suspended or Revoked Driver’s License.
In the event that a Chauffeur has his Illinois or any other state’s driver’s license suspended or revoked, his Public Chauffeur License or Restricted Public Chauffeur License is automatically suspended, and he must surrender it to the Department immediately. A violation of this rule is an aggravated offense and shall be cause for revocation.
