The Law Is Changing! What You Need To Know.

HB5546 was approved by the Illinois General Assembly this spring and signed by Governor Pritzker in July. The bill includes amendatory language to the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act (JULIE Law) to enhance public safety, minimize risks to excavators, prevent disruptions and aid in the expansion of vital public services. The new law takes effect on January 1, 2025.

Click here for information about HB5546

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What’s Changing? And How Will It Impact Your Business?

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Pre-Marking

All locate requests will 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.

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Notification Timelines

The definition of day/days has been refined. A locate request must be submitted at least 2 days, NOT including the day of the notice, but no more than 10 days prior to the proposed excavation. Notice expiration (ticket life) will be 25 days with extensions allowed between day 20 and 25. Day/days do NOT include weekends, JULIE recognized holidays and the day of the notice.

High Demand Areas

Reasonable Control Measures

Up to 2 additional days advance notice may be requested by a JULIE member to respond to locate and mark, or provide a no conflict response, when notice volume in a particular place exceeds the reasonable control measurement of the JULIE member. This additional advance notice ONLY applies to excavations where the project owner is a JULIE member or their contractors/sub-contractors.

JULIE Positive Response

Positive Response

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

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

View these documents below for additional information:

Summary of Key Impacts
Advance Notice Timeline
Explanation of Changes

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.

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

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