Public Act 0595 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB0959 Enrolled LRB097 04683 HEP 44722 b

Public Act 097-0595

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Sections 6-305, 6-305.3, 18c-4201, 18c-4203, and 18c-4204 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/6-305) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 6-305)

Sec. 6-305. Renting motor vehicle to another.

(a) No person shall rent a motor vehicle to any other person unless the latter person, or a driver designated by a nondriver with disabilities and meeting any minimum age and driver's record requirements that are uniformly applied by the person renting a motor vehicle, is then duly licensed hereunder or, in the case of a nonresident, then duly licensed under the laws of the State or country of his residence unless the State or country of his residence does not require that a driver be licensed.

(b) No person shall rent a motor vehicle to another until he has inspected the drivers license of the person to whom the vehicle is to be rented, or by whom it is to be driven, and compared and verified the signature thereon with the signature of such person written in his presence unless, in the case of a nonresident, the State or country wherein the nonresident resides does not require that a driver be licensed.

(c) No person shall rent a motorcycle to another unless the latter person is then duly licensed hereunder as a motorcycle operator, and in the case of a nonresident, then duly licensed under the laws of the State or country of his residence, unless the State or country of his residence does not require that a driver be licensed.

(c-1) A rental car company that rents a motor vehicle shall ensure that the renter is provided with an emergency telephone number to personnel capable of fielding roadside assistance and other customer service inquiries, including the ability to provide the caller with the telephone number of the location from which the vehicle was rented, if requested by the caller. If an owner's manual is not available in the vehicle at the time of the rental, an owner's manual for that vehicle or a similar model shall be accessible by the personnel answering the emergency telephone number for assistance with inquiries about the operation of the vehicle.

(d) (Blank).

(e) (Blank).

(f) Subject to subsection (l), any person who rents a motor vehicle to another shall only advertise, quote, and charge a rental rate that includes the entire amount except taxes, and a mileage charge, and airport concession charge, if any, which a renter must pay to hire or lease the vehicle for the period of time to which the rental rate applies. The person must provide, on the request of the renter, based on the available information, an estimated total of the daily rental rate, including all applicable taxes, fees, and other charges, or an estimated total rental charge, based on the return date of the vehicle noted on the rental agreement. Further, if the rental agreement does not already provide an estimated total rental charge, the following statement must be included in the rental agreement:

"NOTICE: UNDER ILLINOIS LAW, YOU MAY REQUEST, BASED ON AVAILABLE INFORMATION, AN ESTIMATED TOTAL DAILY RENTAL RATE, INCLUDING TAXES, FEES, AND OTHER CHARGES, OR AN ESTIMATED TOTAL RENTAL CHARGE, BASED ON THE VEHICLE RETURN DATE NOTED ON THIS AGREEMENT."

Such person shall not charge in addition to the rental rate, taxes, and mileage charge, and airport concession charge, if any, any fee which must be paid by the renter as a condition of hiring or leasing the vehicle, such as, but not limited to, required fuel or airport surcharges, nor any fee for transporting the renter to the location where the rented vehicle will be delivered to the renter. In addition to the rental rate, taxes, and mileage charge, and airport concession charge, if any, such person may charge for an item or service provided in connection with a particular rental transaction if the renter can avoid incurring the charge by choosing not to obtain or utilize the optional item or service. Items and services for which such person may impose an additional charge include, but are not limited to, optional insurance and accessories requested by the renter, service charges incident to the renter's optional return of the vehicle to a location other than the location where the vehicle was hired or leased, and charges for refueling the vehicle at the conclusion of the rental transaction in the event the renter did not return the vehicle with as much fuel as was in the fuel tank at the beginning of the rental. "Airport concession charge" means a charge or fee imposed and collected from a renter to reimburse the motor vehicle rental company for the concession fee it is required to pay to a local government corporate authority or airport authority to rent motor vehicles at the airport facility. The airport concession charge is in addition to any customer facility charge or any other charge.

(g) Every person renting a motor vehicle to another shall keep a record of the registration number of the motor vehicle so rented, the name and address of the person to whom the vehicle is rented, the number of the license, if any, of said latter person, and the date and place when and where the license, if any, was issued. Such record shall be open to inspection by any police officer or designated agent of the Secretary of State.

(h) A person licensed as a new car dealer under Section 5-101 of this Code shall not be subject to the provisions of this Section regarding the rental of private passenger motor vehicles when providing, free of charge, temporary substitute vehicles for customers to operate during a period when a customer's vehicle, which is either leased or owned by that customer, is being repaired, serviced, replaced or otherwise made unavailable to the customer in accordance with an agreement with the licensed new car dealer or vehicle manufacturer, so long as the customer orally or in writing is made aware that the temporary substitute vehicle will be covered by his or her insurance policy and the customer shall only be liable to the extent of any amount deductible from such insurance coverage in accordance with the terms of the policy.

(i) This Section, except the requirements of subsection (g), also applies to rental agreements of 30 continuous days or less involving a motor vehicle that was delivered by an out of State person or business to a renter in this State.

(j) A public airport may, if approved by its local government corporate authorities or its airport authority, impose a customer facility charge upon customers of rental car companies for the purposes of financing, designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining consolidated car rental facilities and common use transportation equipment and facilities, which are used to transport the customer, connecting consolidated car rental facilities with other airport facilities.

Notwithstanding subsection (f) of this Section, the customer facility charge shall be collected by the rental car company as a separate charge, and clearly indicated as a separate charge on the rental agreement and invoice. Facility charges shall be immediately deposited into a trust account for the benefit of the airport and remitted at the direction of the airport, but not more often than once per month. The charge shall be uniformly calculated on a per-contract or per-day basis. Facility charges imposed by the airport may not exceed the reasonable costs of financing, designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining the consolidated car rental facilities and common use transportation equipment and facilities and may not be used for any other purpose.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the charges collected under this Section are not subject to retailer occupation, sales, use, or transaction taxes.

(k) When a rental car company states a rental rate in any of its rate advertisements, its proprietary computer reservation systems, or its in-person quotations intended to apply to an airport rental, a company that collects from its customers a customer facility charge for that rental under subsection (j) shall do all of the following:

(1) Clearly and conspicuously disclose in any radio, television, or other electronic media advertisements the existence and amount of the charge if the advertisement is intended for rentals at an airport imposing the charge or, if the advertisement covers an area with multiple airports with different charges, a range of amounts of customer facility charges if the advertisement is intended for rentals at an airport imposing the charge.

(2) Clearly and conspicuously disclose in any print rate advertising the existence and amount of the charge if the advertisement is intended for rentals at an airport imposing the charge or, if the print rate advertisement covers an area with multiple airports with different charges, a range of amounts of customer facility charges if the advertisement is intended for rentals at an airport imposing the charge.

(3) Clearly and conspicuously disclose the existence and amount of the charge in any telephonic, in-person, or computer-transmitted quotation from the rental car company's proprietary computer reservation system at the time of making an initial quotation of a rental rate if the quotation is made by a rental car company location at an airport imposing the charge and at the time of making a reservation of a rental car if the reservation is made by a rental car company location at an airport imposing the charge.

(4) Clearly and conspicuously display the charge in any proprietary computer-assisted reservation or transaction directly between the rental car company and the customer, shown or referenced on the same page on the computer screen viewed by the customer as the displayed rental rate and in a print size not smaller than the print size of the rental rate.

(5) Clearly and conspicuously disclose and separately identify the existence and amount of the charge on its rental agreement.

(6) A rental car company that collects from its customers a customer facility charge under subsection (j) and engages in a practice which does not comply with subsections (f), (j), and (k) commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

(l) Notwithstanding subsection (f), any person who rents a motor vehicle to another may, in connection with the rental of a motor vehicle to (i) a business renter or (ii) a business program sponsor under the sponsor's business program, do the following:

(1) separately quote, by telephone, in person, or by computer transmission, additional charges for the rental; and

(2) separately impose additional charges for the rental.

(m) As used in this Section:

(1) "Additional charges" means charges other than: (i) a per period base rental rate; (ii) a mileage charge; (iii) taxes; or (iv) a customer facility charge.

(2) "Business program" means:

(A) a contract between a person who rents motor vehicles and a business program sponsor that establishes rental rates at which the person will rent motor vehicles to persons authorized by the sponsor; or

(B) a plan, program, or other arrangement established by a person who rents motor vehicles at the request of, or with the consent of, a business program sponsor under which the person offers to rent motor vehicles to persons authorized by the sponsor on terms that are not the same as those generally offered by the rental company to the public.

(3) "Business program sponsor" means any legal entity other than a natural person, including a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, government, municipality or agency, or a natural person operating a business as a sole proprietor.

(4) "Business renter" means any person renting a motor vehicle for business purposes or, for any business program sponsor, a person who is authorized by the sponsor to enter into a rental contract under the sponsor's business program. "Business renter" does not include a person renting as:

(A) a non-employee member of a not-for-profit organization;

(B) the purchaser of a voucher or other prepaid rental arrangement from a person, including a tour operator, engaged in the business of reselling those vouchers or prepaid rental arrangements to the general public;

(C) an individual whose car rental is eligible for reimbursement in whole or in part as a result of the person being insured or provided coverage under a policy of insurance issued by an insurance company; or

(D) an individual whose car rental is eligible for reimbursement in whole or in part as a result of the person purchasing motor vehicle repair services from a person licensed to perform those services.

(Source: P.A. 94-717, eff. 12-19-05; 95-770, eff. 1-1-09.)

(625 ILCS 5/6-305.3)

Sec. 6-305.3. Vehicle license cost recovery fee.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Motor vehicle Automobile rental company" means a person or entity whose primary business is renting motor private passenger vehicles to the public for 30 days or less.

"Inspect" or "inspection" means a vehicle emissions inspection under Chapter 13C of this Code.

"Rental agreement" means an agreement for 30 days or less setting forth the terms and conditions governing the use of a motor private passenger vehicle provided by a rental company.

"Motor vehicle" means motor passenger vehicles of the first division and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds.

"Vehicle license cost recovery fee" or "VLCRF" means a charge that may be separately stated and charged on a rental agreement in a vehicle rental transaction originating in Illinois to recover costs incurred either directly or indirectly by a motor vehicle an automobile rental company to license, title, register, and inspect motor vehicles.

(b) Motor vehicle Automobile rental companies may include a separately stated mandatory surcharge or fee in a rental agreement for vehicle license cost recovery fees (VLCRF) and all applicable taxes.

(c) If a motor vehicle an automobile rental company includes a VLCRF as separately stated charge in a rental agreement, the amount of the fee must represent the motor vehicle automobile rental company's good-faith estimate of the automobile rental company's daily charge as calculated by the motor vehicle automobile rental company to recover its actual total annual motor vehicle titling, registration, and inspection costs.

(d) If the total amount of the VLCRF collected by a motor vehicle automobile rental company under this Section in any calendar year exceeds the motor vehicle automobile rental company's actual costs to license, title, register, and inspect for that calendar year, the motor vehicle automobile rental company shall do both of the following:

(1) Retain the excess amount; and

(2) Adjust the estimated average per vehicle titling, licensing, inspection, and registration charge for the following calendar year by a corresponding amount.

(e) Nothing in subsection (d) of this Section shall prevent a motor vehicle automobile rental company from making adjustments to the VLCRF during the calendar year.

(Source: P.A. 96-37, eff. 7-13-09.)

(625 ILCS 5/18c-4201) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-4201)

Sec. 18c-4201. Licensing cases.

(1) Scope of Section. The provisions of this Chapter relating to household goods carrier licensing apply to applications:

(a) For a license authorizing a carrier to operate as an intrastate household goods carrier;

(b) To transfer a certificate, permit, or license or to change the name on a certificate, permit, or license; and

(c) To convert household goods contract carrier authority to household goods common carrier authority.

(2) Form and content of household goods carrier licensing applications. Household goods carrier licensing applications shall be on such forms and contain such information as may be prescribed by the Commission, be verified under oath, and shall be accompanied by the required filing fee.

(3) Public notice of applications.

(a) Review of applications prior to publication. The Commission may provide for preliminary review of each application to determine if it is complete, if it gives adequate notice, and if the authority requested is unenforceably vague or otherwise contrary to the provisions of this Chapter.

(b) Authorization to submit application for publication. If the Commission determines after review that the application is defective in any respect, it shall promptly notify the applicant. No application shall be submitted to the official newspaper for publication until after it has been approved for publication, if the Commission has provided for preliminary review. If the Commission does not find that the application is defective, or if it finds that any defects have been removed by amendment, the applicant shall be permitted to submit the application to the official newspaper for publication. The Commission shall complete its review and notify the applicant within 15 days after filing of the application.

(c) Additional notice prescribed by the Commission. The Commission may direct applicant to give such further notice in connection with its application as the Commission deems necessary. The Commission may, itself, give such additional notice as it deems necessary.

(4) Hearing on licensing applications.

(a) Participation at hearing. Any person having standing to participate under this Chapter may appear and participate in a hearing before the Commission to the extent of its standing, provided that the person has complied with Commission regulations concerning the filing of petitions for leave to intervene and like pleadings. Petitions for leave to intervene must be filed within 15 days after publication, unless the Commission provides for filing at a later date. The Commission may permit additional persons to appear and participate, on such terms as the Commission shall prescribe, where such participation is deemed necessary to an informed and just resolution of the issues in the proceeding. No shipper representative shall be permitted to testify in support of an application for a motor common carrier certificate or a motor contract carrier permit on the issue of need for service unless:

(i) A supporting statement was filed on behalf of the shipper at least 10 days prior to the date of testimony; and

(ii) If the supporting statement was not filed with the application, the statement was served on all parties of record at least 10 days prior to the date of testimony.

(b) Setting, notice, and hearing. Notwithstanding any contrary provisions in Section 18c-2101 of this Chapter, a hearing shall be held on each licensing application to determine that the requirements of this Chapter have been satisfied, except as otherwise provided in Section 18c-4306 of this Chapter. The Commission shall set the hearing at a time not less than 15 days after publication in the official newspaper. The Commission shall serve notice of hearing on each party of record.

(c) Issuance of orders after hearing. The Commission may issue summary orders in cases where the licensing application was not opposed in a timely pleading addressed to the Commission, or was opposed in a timely pleading but such opposition was later withdrawn or the parties in opposition waived all right to other than a summary order. Summary orders shall be issued within 10 days after the close of oral hearing or such other period as the Commission may prescribe. Where a party requests, in a properly filed motion for reconsideration or rehearing, a detailed statement of findings and conclusions, the Commission shall vacate the summary order and issue a new order in accordance with Sub-chapters 1 and 2 of this Chapter. Otherwise, orders shall be issued in accordance with provisions of Sub-chapters 1 and 2 of this Chapter.

(Source: P.A. 89-444, eff. 1-25-96.)

(625 ILCS 5/18c-4203) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-4203)

Sec. 18c-4203. Household goods contract carrier permits.

(1) Prerequisite to operation as a household goods contract carrier. No person shall operate as a household goods contract carrier of property unless such person possesses a household goods contract carrier permit issued by the Commission and in good standing.

(2) Requirements for issuance.

(a) General requirements. The Commission shall grant an application for a household goods contract carrier permit, in whole or in part, to the extent that it finds that the application was properly filed; supporting shippers need the proposed service; the applicant is fit, willing and able to provide the service in compliance with this Chapter, Commission regulations and orders; and issuance of the permit will be consistent with the public interest. Otherwise, the application shall be denied. The burden of proving that the requirements for issuance of a household goods contract carrier permit have been met shall be borne by the applicant.

(b) Conversion to household goods common carrier authority. The Commission may, at the request of the holder, authorize the conversion of household goods contract carrier authority to household goods common carrier authority, subject to the same terms, conditions, limitations, and regulations as other household goods common carriers.

(c) Cancellation and non-renewal of contracts. Cancellation or non-renewal of a contract, or failure to keep on file with the Commission a copy of a valid contract, shall render a permit void with regard to the involved shipper.

(3) Duties and practices of household goods contract carriers.

(a) Services. Household goods contract carriers shall provide safe and adequate transportation service to their contracting shippers within the scope of their authorities and contracts and in compliance with this Chapter, Commission regulations and orders.

(b) Contracts. Each household goods contract carrier shall file with the Commission a copy of each contract executed under authority of its permit, and shall provide no service except in accordance with contracts on file with the Commission. The Commission may, at any time, reject contracts filed with it which do not comply with the provisions of this Chapter, Commission regulations and orders.

(Source: P.A. 89-444, eff. 1-25-96.)

(625 ILCS 5/18c-4204) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-4204)

Sec. 18c-4204. Standards to be considered in issuing common and contract household goods carrier licenses. The Commission shall exercise its discretion in regard to issuance of common carrier of household goods or contract carrier of household goods licenses in accordance with standards enumerated in this Section.

(1) Standards relevant to both common and contract household goods carrier licenses. In determining whether to issue a common carrier of household goods certificate or a contract carrier of household goods permit under Sections 18c-4202 and 18c-4203 of this Chapter, the Commission shall consider, in addition to other standards enumerated in this Chapter:

(a) (Blank) The characteristics of the supporting shipper or shippers transportation needs, including the total volume of shipments, the amounts handled by existing authorized carriers and others, the amounts which would be tendered to the applicant, the nature and location of points where traffic would be picked up and delivered, and any special transportation needs of the supporting shipper or shippers or their receiver or receivers;

(b) The existing authorized carriers' services, including the adequacy of such services and the effect which issuance of a new certificate or permit would have on such services;

(c) (Blank) The proposed service, and whether it would meet the needs of the supporting shipper or shippers;

(d) Any evidence bearing on the fitness, willingness, or ability of the applicant, including but not limited to any past history of violations of this Chapter, Commission regulations or orders, whether or not such violations were the subject of an enforcement proceeding; and

(e) The effect which issuing the certificate or permit would have on the development, maintenance and preservation of the highways of this State for commercial and other public use.

(2) Additional standards relevant to household goods contract carrier licenses. In determining whether to issue a household goods contract carrier permit under Section 18c-4203 of this Chapter, the Commission shall consider, in addition to standards enumerated in subsection (1) of this Section or elsewhere in this Sub-chapter:

(a) Whether the proposed service is contract carrier service; and

(b) The effect which failure to issue the permit would have on the supporting shipper or shippers.

(3) Standards not relevant to either household goods common or household goods contract carrier licenses. In determining whether to issue a household goods common carrier certificate or a household goods contract carrier permit under Sections 18c-4202 and 18c-4203 of this Chapter, the Commission shall not consider:

(a) The mere preference of the supporting shipper or shippers or their receiver or receivers for the applicant's service; or

(b) Any illegal operations of the applicant as evidence of shipper need or the inadequacy of existing carriers' services.

(Source: P.A. 89-444, eff. 1-25-96.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.