JOLIET, ILLINOIS - Representatives of the Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators (JULIE, Inc.) announced recently that Jan Modaff, manager of locating services at Nicor Gas, was unanimously elected as Board President of the not-for-profit organization.  With over 1,750 members, JULIE, Inc. stresses the importance of calling the one-call system before starting any digging projects and promotes safe digging practices in Illinois. 

“As one of the largest industry one-call centers in the nation, we are excited about Ms. Modaff’s strong vision for the future of our organization,” said Mark Frost, executive director of JULIE, Inc. “She has extensive public safety and underground damage prevention experience along with a proven ability to work with various stakeholders.”

During the organization’s annual meeting at the historic Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, members also elected the following individuals to serve on the Board of Directors for three-year terms: Robert Ziegler, SBC; Kent Kowalske, AmerenCilco; Gene Barney, Leaf River Telephone Company; Chuck Mueller, Illinois Power; Steve Meyer, city of Aurora; and Roger Watwood, city of Marshall.  Kim Favero of Petersburg Plumbing and Heating will serve a one-year term.  In addition, Fred Kreinbrink, City of Naperville, was elected Secretary and Steve Graceffa of Rock River Water Reclamation was named Treasurer.

JULIE, Inc., also known as the Illinois One-Call System, is a not-for-profit corporation that provides excavators with a toll-free number (1-800-892-0123) for the free locating and marking of underground facilities.  JULIE, Inc. serves as a notification service for underground facility owners, taking information about planned excavations and distributing this information to its membership.  It is then the responsibility of each facility owner to mark the location of their underground facilities at the excavation site. JULIE neither owns nor marks any underground facilities.

JULIE, Inc. promotes an easier, safer digging environment and serves the entire state of Illinois outside of the city of Chicago, which is covered by DIGGER.  Illinois law requires anyone digging to call JULIE, Inc. at least two working days prior to the start of excavation and to begin that project within 14 calendar days from the call.  The 48 hour notice does not include Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.  Member utilities fully support JULIE, Inc. based upon their message volume.

The Illinois One-Call System is celebrating its 30^th Anniversary this year.  The organization has 100 employees during peak periods and is located in a state-of-the-art facility in Joliet.  For more information, visit www.illinois1call.com.