Do I have to call
JULIE, Inc.?
Yes. According to state law, anyone
planning an outdoor project that requires digging, regardless of the depth or
the size of the project, must call JULIE first. Today, more utility
members that supply power, gas, water and telecommunications are delivering
these services underground.
Is JULIE, Inc. a utility company
and/or government agency?
No. JULIE is a not-for-profit
corporation. JULIE does not own nor mark any facilities. The mission
of the organization is to prevent damages to underground utilities, the
environment and property, reduce service interruptions and costly repairs, and
save lives.
How much does it cost to use
JULIE, Inc.? When does the call center have operators available?
The call to JULIE and service provided by utility members are free to the
excavator. Call center operators are available to receive and process
calls 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
Will JULIE, Inc. tell me the
specific location or depth of the public utilities?
No. JULIE does not obtain or have
information on the specific location or depth of underground facilities for any
members. Depth variation can be caused by human interference, weather or
other circumstances.
If I am the subcontractor on a
job, do I have to get a locate request ticket or will the general contractor's
ticket protect me?
According to state law, the person, as defined in the Act, actually doing the
digging is required to call JULIE with the locate request information at least
48 hours/ two working days in advance of the start of the excavation, not the
homeowner or company for whom the work is being done. The general
contractor's locate request only applies to its company. In addition, the
general contractor should only request a locate if its company is planning to
actually dig at the site.
When should I pre-mark the work
site?
When the excavation site can not be clearly and adequately identified on the
request, JULIE recommends that the excavation, prior to contacting JULIE,
designate the route or area to be excavated using white paint, flags, stakes or
a combination of these methods. Black may be used when snow is on the
ground.
May I dig after the 48-hour
advance notice?
According to state law, the excavator shall exercise due care at all times to
protect underground utility facilities and CATS facilities. If, after
proper notification through the State-Wide One-Call System and upon arrival at
the site of the proposed excavation, the excavator observes clear evidence of
the presence of an unmarked utility or CATS facility in the area of the proposed
excavation, the excavator should not begin excavating until two (2) hours after
an additional call is made to the State-Wide One-Call Notice System for the
area. The operator of the utility or CATS facility should respond within
two (2) hours of the excavator's call to the State-Wide One-Call Notice System.
The excavator has an obligation to honor all time/marking requirements and then to dig in a reasonable and prudent manner, taking all reasonable and required precautions to avoid damaging underground facilities. It is suggested that you follow current industry practices, such as hand digging and/or vacuum excavation with 18 inches on either side of a marked underground facility.
I have hit a facility; what do I
do now?
First, if you have created a potentially dangerous situation (i.e., damaged gas
line, etc.), evacuate the area and call 911 and/or the proper emergency
responders immediately. State law requires the excavator to call JULIE and
the affected utility that you have come into contact with an underground utility
facility.
How long do I have to wait after
calling in an emergency locate request?
An emergency locate request call is processed immediately by the JULIE system.
According to the Act, there is a wait time of two (2) hours or the date and time
requested on the notice, whichever is longer. If the conditions at the
site dictate an earlier start than the required wait time, it is the
responsibility of the excavator to demonstrate that site conditions warrant this
earlier start time.
If a member(s) does not respond within the required wait time, call the member company directly and/or JULIE again. JULIE will send another request to the member(s) not responding.
Are all underground facility
owners members of JULIE, Inc.?
While all underground facility owners and operators, except for the Illinois
Department of Transportation, rural electric cooperatives and railroads, are
required by state law to be members of JULIE, Inc., there may be some facility
owners and operators who are not current members. Non-members can be
reported to the Illinois Commerce Commission at 217-558-4010 (see Suspected
Violations/ICC Administrative Penalty Program).
Where can I find more information
about the state law and the JULIE process?
JULIE's Damage Prevention Managers are available to assist members and
excavators. For their contact information, along with the latest news and
information, please visit
www.illinois1call.com. This site also includes a list of members by
county, upcoming events, member damage prevention team contacts, procedural
changes, the state law and a quick and easy order form for free safety and
educational materials.