Illinois Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Illinois, with citations to the statutes and the one-call center.
Last reviewed October 18, 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by locality and utility, so always contact 811 and confirm current requirements before you dig. Read the disclaimer
Illinois at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators)Illinois outside the City of ChicagoVisit website for JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators) (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811 or 800-892-0123
- Also serving
- 811 Chicago (DIGGER), City of Chicago (312-744-7000)Website for 811 Chicago (DIGGER) (opens in a new tab)
- Notice required
- At least 2 days but no more than 10 days before excavation, where "day" excludes Saturdays, Sundays, JULIE holidays and the day of the notice itself; the area must be pre-marked (white-lined) first
- Tolerance zone
- 18 inches
- Ticket life
- 25 days including the day of the request; extensions allowed between day 20 and 25
- Maximum penalty
- $5,000 per separate offense (failure to notify; $2,500 for other willful violations)
Outside Chicago, Illinois excavators must pre-mark (white line) the dig area and notify JULIE at least 2 days but no more than 10 days before excavating. "Day" excludes weekends, JULIE holidays and the day of notice, so the call day itself does not count. The City of Chicago uses its own center, 811 Chicago (DIGGER). The law is the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act, 220 ILCS 50.
Within the 18-inch tolerance zone, the Act calls for hand or vacuum excavation.
Tolerance Zone
18 inches
The tolerance zone is 18 inches on either side of the outside edge of the facility marking (half the diameter plus 18 inches when the diameter is indicated). Use hand or vacuum excavation within it (220 ILCS 50/4).
Key Regulations
Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act
Requires pre-marking and notice through JULIE before excavation. The City of Chicago uses its own center (811 Chicago / DIGGER).
Citation: 220 ILCS 50
Ticket Life
A JULIE locate ticket is valid for 25 days; extensions can be requested between day 20 and 25, and the site must be pre-marked again before an extension when marks are requested.
Citation: 220 ILCS 50/4(g)
Penalties
ICC sets the amount based on gravity, culpability, history of noncompliance in the prior 18 months, and good faith (up to $5,000 per offense).
Citation: 220 ILCS 50/11
Recent and Upcoming Changes
- P.A. 103-614 (effective January 1, 2025) rewrote the Act around JULIE, Inc.: the day of notice no longer counts, pre-marking is required for excavation, tickets last 25 days, and a mandatory positive response system applies.
Penalties for Violations
The Illinois Commerce Commission enforces administrative penalties, with peer review by an advisory committee.
Maximum penalty: $5,000 per separate offense (failure to notify; $2,500 for other willful violations)
Licensing and Permits to Confirm
Licensing depends on the type of work and the city or county. Treat these as items to check with the Illinois licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Local municipal contractor license where required
- Trade licenses where the work requires them
- Liability insurance and bonding as required by the municipality or contract
Sources
Last reviewed October 18, 2026. Facts on this page were checked against these statutes, rules and one-call center pages.
Disclaimer
This guide is general information about state excavation and one-call (811) laws. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Laws, rules and one-call center procedures change, and requirements can differ by city, county, utility operator and type of work. Facility operators may also set their own requirements. Before any excavation, contact the state one-call center through 811 and confirm current requirements in the statute and rules cited on this site. For questions about your obligations or liability, consult the statute directly or a licensed attorney in the state where the work takes place.
Hydrovac News makes no warranty that this information is complete, current or accurate, and is not liable for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on it.
Hydrovac Jobs in Illinois
Browse current hydro excavation job openings in Illinois.
Need Hydrovac Services in Illinois?
Request hydro excavation service in Illinois through Hydrovac Hotline, our sister site.
