ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, transportation network providers operating in the City of Chicago have no obligation to test their drivers for the use of illegal drugs;
WHEREAS, the Chicago City Council recognizes that illegal drug use by transportation network drivers poses a threat to public safety and endangers City residents and visitors by allowing impaired drivers to operate transportation network vehicles on the City's streets;
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago must protect the safety of its residents and visitors by ensuring that transportation network drivers - and, in fact, all drivers operating for-hire transportation -on the City's streets are not using illegal drugs;
WHEREAS, a cost efficient and common sense approach to preventing drivers using illegal drugs from engaging in for-hire passenger transportation of any kind is to require such drivers to undergo an annual test for illegal drug use;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
SECTION 1: The above recitals are incorporated herein and made a part hereof and represent the findings ofthe City Council with respect to the matters described therein.
SECTION 2: No transportation network provider licensee shall engage any person as a transportation network driver unless the licensee ascertains, in a process approved by the commissioner, that the person has taken and passed a test, conducted by authorities approved by the commissioner, for the presence of illegal drugs in the body.
SECTION 3: For purposes of this section, illegal drugs means controlled substances, as defined by 720 ILCS 570/201, et seq., or cannabis, as defined by 720 ILCS 550/3.
SECTION 4: As a prerequisite to the renewal of a transportation network provider license, the licensee must certify that each transportation network driver with whom the licensee is affiliated has passed a test for the presence of illegal drugs in the body within the time that the driver has been affiliated with the licensee.
SECTION 5: In the event that a transportation network driver tests positive for the presence of illegal drugs in the body, the driver shall be barred from operating a transportation network vehicle for a period of no less than twelve months from the time of the positive test. After the passage of twelve months, the driver must submit to and pass a test for the presence of illegal drugs in the body before driving a transportation network vehicle.
SECTION 6: A transportation network provider licensee who affiliates with a transportation network driver who has tested positive for the presence of illegal drugs in the body within the previous twelve months shall be subject to a penalty of not less than $500 and not to exceed
$1,000 for each instance. Each day of such an affiliation is a separate offense. A transportation network provider licensee who is found guilty of two offenses under this section shall be subject to license suspension proceedings.
SECTION 3: This ordinance shall take effect upon passage and approval.
Alderman Roderick T. S} 6lh Ward