Illinois Statutes Chapter 220. Utilities § 50/5.1. Positive response system

(a) Beginning January 1, 2026, an excavator shall confirm through the positive response system prior to excavation or demolition that all underground utility facility owners or operators that are identified on the notice have provided a status update, responded, or marked or provided an all-clear notification.

(b) Beginning January 1, 2026, an underground utility facility owner or operator shall respond through the positive response system by the dig start date and time on the notice with an appropriate and accurate system code. A minimal delay not to exceed one hour or when the marking of the facilities is complete, whichever is longer, in reporting a system code in response to an emergency request shall not be a violation of this Section.

(c) If an underground utility facility owner or operator fails to respond or provide a status update through the positive response system by the dig start date and time on the notice, or a later time as otherwise agreed upon and submitted through the positive response system, JULIE shall transmit an additional notification to that underground utility facility owner or operator and shall continue to send out daily notifications until the positive response system receives a response confirming compliance with this Section.

(d) If an underground utility facility owner or operator fails to respond or provide a status update to the positive response system, the excavator may proceed after providing a no show or incomplete request through JULIE. The notified underground utility facility owners or operators shall respond by the dig start date and time on the notice.

(e) If all notified underground utility facility owners or operators have responded as “marked” or “clear” prior to the expiration of the dig start date and time on the notice, the wait time shall be considered expired and no additional wait time is required prior to commencing with the excavation or demolition work listed on the notice.