Proposed Legislative Changes—What Do They Mean For You?

HB5546 includes amendatory language to the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act to enhance public safety, minimize risks to excavators, prevent disruptions and aid in the expansion of vital public services. The JULIE Board of Directors approved a proposal to amend the Act. An amendment to existing HB5546 has been introduced.

Click here for information about HB5546

JULIE current low enformement

How Will These Revisions Impact You And Your Employees?

JULIE Request Advance Notice

Advance Notice

Language would be refined to 2 days, NOT including the day of the call, but no more than 10 days, NOT including the day of the call.

JULIE Positive Response

Positive Response

The use of a positive response system, offered through JULIE, would be required by excavators and facility owners or operators no later than January 1, 2026.

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Extended Ticket Life

The validity period of a locate request, known as “ticket life,” would be extended to 25 days from the current 20 days.

High Demand Areas

Reasonable Control Measures

Up to 2 additional days advance notice could be granted to facility owners or operators to complete a locate request when call volume in a particular place exceeds the reasonable control measurement. This advance notice ONLY applies to excavations where the project owner is a JULIE member facility owner or operator and their contractors or sub-contractors.

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Pre-Marking

All locate requests would require pre-marking, by physically marking the proposed excavation or route, electronic white lining (when available) or with verbal pre-marking when the description provided is explicit enough to limit markings to the actual excavation area.

Digging Crane

These are a few of the key areas that are addressed in the proposed legislation. The proposal contains other substantial changes to the existing law. 

View these documents below for additional information:

Summary of Key Impacts

Two Day Advance Notice Calendar

Have Questions?
Please feel free to contact the Damage Prevention Manager in your area.

Not sure who to call? Click here to view our territory map.

excavation safety resource

Thank you for your continued diligence in working to prevent underground utility damages in Illinois.

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