Chicago Home Repair License?

Grumpy

Ok so who has one?

It was brought to my attention that I might be breaking the law. In Chicago a "home repair license" might be requires for quite a few trades actually, and one of them being roofing. However I have spoken with multiple departments in the city and can't get clarification if I need this license or not since I am not physically located in the city.

However if you read the ordinances (posting from home, I will see if I have the exact chaper numbers at the office) it states a home repair license is required.

I spoke with every one of my colleagues (that I know), even the larger more established ones, and none even know this license exists.

I might have to go get this license just to cover my ass weather I need it or not... So does anyone else know about this home repair license?

BTW the fine for operating without one is $200 per day per offense.

Grumpy

Hmmmm aybe I should call the chicago roofing contractor's association and see what they suggest. I'm not a member but maybe they will give me a straight answer anyways.

Brickie

Never heard of it. When did they start that? Do you have a link for it?

__________________
“Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country.” – Ronald Reagan

Double-A

Most licensing enforcement is done through a board or office charged also with issuing the license. Contact them. Failing that, contact the city prosecutor for an opinion.

My first impulse is always to go to the enforcing entity and get their judgement, in writing if possible, whenever there is a question.

Grumpy

I don't know, nobody I talked to seems to know what I am talking about. The date on the form I was looking at was dated July 2005. Even on their website it's still vague, I don't know if applies only to businesses located IN chicago or businesses who rapair homes located in Chicago. http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/w...lName=HomePage I don't know if that's going to link.

That's the question nobody seems to know how to answer.


Ya'd think so huh? However when I contacted the email address supplied on the form I was looking at, I was referred to another department which was the zoning department of all things, then I was referred to the legal department for clarification... Nobody could (or would) help me.

Patty

That city will tax, impose inspection fees & license you to death!!! When I had my mfg. company (near Midway Airport), we had so many certificates hanging on the wall, it looked like we were friggin award winners of some kind! Why, they even sent bills (auto pilot mail) for inspections that never even happened. So, this does not surprise me, Grumpy. From what I read in your article, it seems they want ANYONE, and EVERYONE, who takes jobs in the city (1-6 unit res.) to be licensed. Probably more to keep out the riff-raff GC-fly-by-night's who aren't what they say they are and in the favor of the legit guy. But, nonetheless, yet another way for City Hall to make a buck off of us.

Double-A

4-204-140 Enforcement.

The commissioner of the department of consumer services shall enforce the provisions of this chapter. The department shall investigate citizen complaints regarding violations of the requirements of this chapter. The department shall maintain a roster of licensees and of all persons whose home repair license has been suspended or revoked within the previous year. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465)

http://www.chicityclerk.com/legislat...4_204.html#010

Read it over carefully. Seems to be this is a limit on free trade. They require an estimate that shows parts and labor broken out.

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/w...nCategoryOID=0
Contact informaion for this department

good luck

Grumpy

That first link is exactly the link I was looking for but could not find. Thanks much.


I may be wrong but my interpretation is not that I need to break out a price for parts and labor but that I must detail the parts to be used.

It says to "state the total cost of" then it gives sub categories so in my unlegal opinion a total lcost doesn't mean a break down... I could totally be wrong legal jargon sometimes throws me, however this is almost plain english.

Double-A

You're most welcome, Grumpy. I'm always happy to help.

"Almost" being the key word here. Talk to them, ask them their opinion and failing that, let your lawyer look it over. If he feels can defend your way of doing business, then carry on.

Grumpy

I have talked to them, nobody seems to know anything. My lawyer is the next step but that's $$$

Double-A

A penny saved is a penny earned, but an ounce of prevention is worth $200.00 per day for every job you've ever done in the city.

Peladu

Well Grumpy, have I been unknowingly breaking the law in Chicago?

What have you found out?

mickeyco

You're not just breaking Chicago's rules, you're violating State law, roofing is one of the few trades that requires a license issued by the Department of Regulations, sounds like you've been lucky so far but you might think about getting the license, first offense Class A misdemeanor. On conviction of a second or subsequent offense the violator is guilty of a Class 4 felony. I'm surprised you never had a problem I'm in the western suburbs and they always check the roofers for a license, there's a check box on the permit application for it.



Here's a little from the Illinois State Statute and a link to the full Statute

PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
(225 ILCS 335/) Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act.

(225 ILCS 335/1) (from Ch. 111, par. 7501)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
Sec. 1. Legislative purpose. It is hereby declared to be the public policy of this State that, in order to safeguard the life, health, property, and public welfare of its citizens, the business of roofing construction, reconstruction, alteration, maintenance and repair is a matter affecting the public interest, and any person desiring to obtain a license to engage in the business as herein defined shall be required to establish his or her qualifications to be licensed as herein provided.
(Source: P.A. 90?55, eff. 1?1?98.)



(225 ILCS 335/9.8) (from Ch. 111, par. 7509.8)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
Sec. 9.8. Any person who is found to have violated any provision of this Act is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. On conviction of a second or subsequent offense the violator is guilty of a Class 4 felony. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense.
(Source: P.A. 89?387, eff. 1?1?96.)


Link to Illinois State Statute

http://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilc...censing+Act%2E


Here's the link to the Illinois Department of Regulations site that has a lot more info about roofing contractors and a study guide for the license a well as the rules.
http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/who/roof.asp

Peladu

Dude, did you read anywhere in my profile or on this site that I am a roofer?

Did you read the entire thread?
(there is no way in hell you did)

Or is it, you like to type before you comprehend what you are reading?

What, you think you are going to come in here and say, "You are violating State Laws!" and think that someone who hasn't been in the trades for longer then two days would not know that law?

Get down off of your pedestal and read the entire thread, then respond to it (only if you have read the entire thread).

mickeyco

Peladu,

I did read the entire thread, I wasn't referring to you. The way a message board works is someone makes a post and then people reply to the first post, if they are talking with someone that has responded within the post they usually address it to them like I did at the top of this mesage. The "Peladu," means I'm talking to you. I was referring to and responding to the post if you start at the top and specifically:

"It was brought to my attention that I might be breaking the law. In Chicago a "home repair license" might be requires for quite a few trades actually, and one of them being roofing."

"Hmmmm aybe I should call the chicago roofing contractor's association and see what they suggest. I'm not a member but maybe they will give me a straight answer anyways."

"Chicago Gutters Chicago Roofing"

You can clearly see that my response addresses roofers, and if you're not a roofer why would you care. I think it's very useful info, I'm not trying to bust somebody, and it might save someone's ass.

Kevin

And I'm know Gumpy has a state license, his company did my girlfriend's aunts house, quite nicely I might add.

Tom R

It's easy to see where Peladu thought you were talking to him, - - just look at the 'dates' . . .

The best way to avoid confusion is to 'quote' the post you are referring to when you're answering one directly.

Just my 2 cents.

Peladu

mickey,
Thanks for the Message Board 101 class.
I enjoyed it, it was not only full of new information but also comical.



Thanks Tom

mickeyco

I should say that my thought was that the post was mostly about roofing and I did get the impression that someone might be operating without a State license. The last house I built in Chicago was 2 years ago and their requirement was only an Illinois roofer's license.

Peladu,

I see from your picture you are a lot younger than me so I can understand why you're not as knowledgeable about message boards. "I enjoyed it, it was not only full of new information but also comical." I charge for my performances, you owe me ten bucks, cash only.

Kevin

Peladu

I will pay you as soon as my mom and dad give me my allowance for the month.



Grumpy, still wondering what you found out.

Did you have to deal with The Peoples Republic of Chicago?

Grumpy

I have an unlimited state roofing license. Feel free to look it up. That wasn't the topic of this discussion though. I am talking about an entirely different license by the city of Chicago for "home repairs" NOT the state for roofing.

I have found out nothign to spite my efforts! Nobody can help me. Nobody knows what the F they are doing in the City of Chicago, it seems. Short answer" Nobody knows.