4-168-020- License – Required - Permalink

(a) No person shall engage in the occupation of providing bicycle messenger services within the central business area without having secured a license issued under this chapter. The license shall be in addition to any other license required by law. (b) This section shall not apply to a person who provides bicycle messenger services exclusively for himself or herself, or for his or her employer. This section shall, however, apply to a person who provides bicycle messenger services as an independent contractor for any person other than pursuant to a contract with a person with a license issued under this chapter.

Added Coun. J. 7-29-92, p. 20042; Amend Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465

4-168-040- License – Application - Permalink

Application for a bicycle messenger service license shall be made in writing to the commissioner on a form provided by the commissioner and signed and sworn to by the applicant or, if the applicant is a corporation, by its authorized agent. Each application shall contain: (a) The full name, residence and business address and the business telephone number of the applicant; (b) If the applicant is a corporation: (1) The corporate name and business of the applicant; (2) The date and state of incorporation; and (3) The names, residence addresses and residence telephone numbers of the corporate officers and its registered agent; (c) If the applicant is a partnership: (1) The name and business address and telephone number of the principal office or place of business of the applicant; (2) The names, residence addresses and residence telephone numbers of all partners; and (3) The name, address and telephone number of a person authorized to receive notices issued pursuant to this chapter. Each corporate applicant for a bicycle messenger license shall be organized and qualified to do business under the laws of the State of Illinois.

Added Coun. J. 7-29-92, p. 20042; Amend Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 7-27-05, p. 53211, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 5-9-07, p. 105047, § 11

4-168-010- Definitions - Permalink

For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise: “Central business area” means the area bounded by a line as follows: beginning at the easternmost point of Division Street extended to Lake Michigan; then west on Division Street to LaSalle Street; then south on LaSalle Street to Chicago Avenue; then west on Chicago Avenue to Halstead Street; then south on Halsted Street to Roosevelt Road; then east on Roosevelt Road to its easternmost point extended to Lake Michigan. “Bicycle messenger services” means the delivery by bicycle for hire of packages, parcels, food, papers or any other items on behalf of any commercial, industrial, governmental, charitable or other enterprise. “Bicycle” includes any vehicle defined in Section 9-120-010 and any other vehicle that would be included within such definition but for the size of the vehicle’s wheels. “Bicycle operator” means a person who makes deliveries by bicycle on behalf of a bicycle messenger service. “Person” includes any natural person, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, association or other entity. “Commissioner” means the commissioner of consumer services.

Added Coun. J. 7-29-92, p. 20042; Amend Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465

4-168-110- Rules and regulations – Enforcement authority - Permalink

The commissioner shall have the authority to administer and enforce this chapter. The department of police shall have the authority to enforce the safety- related provisions of this chapter and all traffic laws, ordinances, rules and regulations as they apply to bicycle messenger operators.

Added Coun. J. 7-29-92, p. 20042; Amend Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 7-27-05, p. 53211, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 5-9-07, p. 105047, § 11

4-168-050- Insurance – Required - Permalink

(a) Each applicant for a bicycle messenger service license shall provide proof that the applicant and each bicycle operator engaged by him has insurance coverage in the following minimum amounts: (1) $50,000.00 for property damages; (2) $50,000.00 for injuries to or death of any one person; and (3) $100,000.00 for injuries to or death of more than one person in any one accident. In addition, worker’s compensation coverage must be provided as required by state law. (b) Any insurance policy required by this section must be in a form satisfactory to the commissioner and must provide that the policy will not be canceled and the amount of coverage will not be changed unless 60 days prior written notice is given to the commissioner.

Added Coun. J. 7-29-92, p. 20042; Amend Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465

4-168-120- Violation – Penalty - Permalink

Any person who is found guilty of violating this chapter shall be subject to a fine of not less than $25.00 and not more than $500.00 for each such violation. However, any person found guilty of violating this chapter by engaging in the occupation of providing bicycle messenger services in the central business area without a license required by this chapter shall be subject to a minimum fine of $100.00. Each day that any violation shall continue shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense. A second or subsequent intentional violation of this chapter committed within 12 months after a previous conviction under this chapter may be punished as a misdemeanor by a fine of up to $500.00, or a period of incarceration not exceeding seven days, or community service, or any combination thereof, pursuant to Section 1-2-1.1 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

Added Coun. J. 7-29-92, p. 20042; Amend Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465

4-168-080- Identification card – Required - Permalink

(a) Every licensee shall issue to each bicycle operator an identification card containing at least the following information: (1) The bicycle operator’s name; (2) The bicycle operator’s identification number or letters that he is required to wear pursuant to Section 4-168-070; (3) The licensee’s name, business address, telephone number and bicycle messenger service license number; and (4) The name of the insurance company that has issued the insurance policy required under Section 4-168-040 and the policy number of such policy. The identification card must also display a clear photograph of the bicycle operator. (b) No bicycle operator may operate a bicycle within the central business area on behalf of any licensee without having on his person an identification card meeting the requirements of subsection (a) of this section. Any such person must permit a city employee who has the responsibility to enforce this chapter to examine such card whenever the city employee on the course of his or her duties asks the person to do so. The failure of a bicycle operator to comply with this section shall create a rebuttable presumption that the licensee has violated this section.

Added Coun. J. 7-29-92, p. 20042; Amend Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465

11-15-1515- Commercial Messengers - Permalink

No person, firm, or corporation shall operate a commercial bicycle messenger service in a city with a population of more than 2,000,000 unless the bicycles used are covered by a liability insurance policy at the expense of the person, firm, or corporation. The insurance policy shall be issued in amounts no less than the minimum amounts set for bodily injury or death and for destruction of property under Section 7-203 of this Code [625 ILCS 5/7-203]. No insurer other than an insurer authorized to do business in this State shall issue a policy under this Section.

P.A. 87‑1203