Why Am I Seeing Flags Around My Property?
The different colored flags and markings you see on your property or in your neighborhood are very important. They indicate where underground utility lines are buried and warn you where you can—and cannot—dig safely.
It is everyone’s responsibility to do their part to prevent damaging valuable utility lines and causing an interruption to critical services. Protect your family, your community and yourself…Dig Safe Illinois.
You submitted a request to have utility lines marked. Now what?
Thank you for helping to safeguard essential underground utilities. Before you put a shovel in the ground, make sure all lines have been marked and follow protocols for your area.
Illinois
(outside Chicago)
Chicago
(within city limits)
Member utility companies or their representative—NOT JULIE—mark their own lines. Once you verify it’s OK to start digging, do so carefully. If your project is close to buried lines, consider relocating it. If you can’t, proceed with caution and understand the tolerance zone.
You didn’t submit a request? Here’s what you need to know.
Submit A Request 24/7/365 • It’s A FREE Service
Don’t remove any flags! The colored markings on your property or in your community were placed there when a neighbor, contractor or professional excavator, one of the utilities that serves your property, or your municipality requested to have buried utility lines located. Examples may include utility upgrades and repairs or a neighbor’s project that requires digging. Did you know, the state of Illinois requires anyone planning an outdoor project that requires excavation contact their local 811 notification service—JULIE in most of the state or 811 Chicago within Chicago city limits—at least two business days before digging. This includes installing a fence, planting or removing a tree, constructing a deck or patio, landscaping, and more.
For a list of common projects, click here
What The Flags Mean
All member utility companies use the same colors to mark their underground utility lines.
JULIE, Illinois’ FREE notification system to prevent underground utility damage, takes information about planned excavations outside of the city of Chicago and distributes it to member utility companies.
811 Chicago is the FREE 24-hour service network system for contractors and private citizens within city limits to notify utility companies of impending excavation.
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