Illinois Code § 4.1

§ 4.1.

Watch and protect. (a) If, upon notice from JULIE, an underground utility facility owner or operator determines that the facility is within the proposed excavation area and the underground utility facility owner or operator desires to have an authorized representative present during excavation near the facility, the underground utility facility owner or operator shall contact the excavator prior to the dig start date and time provided on the notice to schedule a date and time for the underground utility facility owner or operator to be present when excavation will occur near the facility. (b) All excavators shall comply with the underground utility facility owner's or operator's request to be present during excavation near an owner or operator's facilities. In lieu of having an authorized representative present, the underground utility facility owner or operator may choose to perform an open cut utility locate of the facility to expose its location. The underground utility facility owner or operator shall comply with the excavator's schedule for when excavation will occur near the facility. (c) After excavation has started, if excavation near the underground utility facilities stops by more than one day and then recommences, the excavator shall establish direct contact with the underground utility facility owner or operator not less than one day prior to the excavation, each time the excavation is to occur, to advise the underground utility facility owner or operator of the excavation taking place. (d) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit an excavator from excavating prudently and carefully near the underground utility facility without the underground utility facility owner or operator present if the underground utility facility owner or operator waives the request to be present or to complete an open cut utility locate exposing the facility or is unable to comply with the excavator's schedule. (Source: P.A. 103-614, eff. 1-1-25; 104-417, eff. 8-15-25.)