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RSS311 Service Types
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Inaccurate Retail ScalesUse this service request to report problems with behind-the-counter scales used by retail businesses in the City of Chicago (i.e., scales used to weigh produce or deli items; scales used by private shipping services such as FedEx, UPS, and USPS). It does not include hanging scales used by consumers.
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Fuel Pumps ComplaintUse this service request to report complaints about inaccurate/inappropriate charges for fuel, pumps dispensing contaminated fuel, and other fuel pump issues in the City of Chicago (i.e., Leaking nozzle or hose; Price counter continues to run after fuel stops dispensing, etc.). Use service request "Consumer Retail - General" to report complaints about other products sold at gas stations.
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Outdated MerchandiseUse this service request to report food or over-the-counter medication being sold after the sell-by date by retail businesses in the City of Chicago. Food and medication that has not expired, but the consumer believes to be unsafe, should be reported to the Chicago Department of Public Health.
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Discrimination/Hate Crimes AssistanceUse this type code to enter requests related to discrimination within the City of Chicago in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit and bonding, which are prohibited under the Chicago Human Rights and Fair Housing Ordinances; for hate crimes, community tensions, and requests for human relations educational workshops and presentations.
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No HeatThis service type is used to report landlords who are not providing sufficient heat to tenants of residential dwelling units. Certain questions must be answered to initiate an inspection of the property: The location address, the owner or manager's name and phone number, whether you pay your own heating gas bill and whether there is someone home during the day to let an inspector in.
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Building ViolationThis code is used to report general building code violations. Complaints include missing or broken windows/screens, illegal apartments, falling bricks/terra-cotta from the exterior, peeling paint or holes, falling plaster from walls/ceilings and buildings with multiple building code violations. Do not use this type code to report "No Heat" problems or "No Building Permit/Building Construction Violation" problems, these service requests have their own on-line service request Type Codes.8
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Animal - Inhumane TreatmentChicago residents are encouraged to report cases of animal mistreatment. This includes neglect of any kind (i.e., animals without food, water, shelter or veterinary care), or leaving an animal in a building or motor vehicle in extreme temperatures. Certain answers are required to report inhumane treatment: the address it's occurring at and what type of inhumane treatment has been observed. It is also very important to know who is allegedly responsible for the inhumane treatment of the animal.
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No Building Permit & Construction ViolationsUse this service type to report persons or companies building or rehabilitating a structure without having a City Building Permit displayed. The permit is to be posted where it's visible from the public way. Certain questions must be answered to initiate an inspection: the location address, where on the property the work is going on, what type of work is being done, what time of day the work is usually done and whether the site is unsafe.
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Vacant/Abandoned BuildingUse this service type to report an abandoned building in your neighborhood. Please call 311 directly to report any building that is in danger of collapse or poses any other hazard that may cause imminent danger to nearby tenants or the public. You must answer the following questions to complete a request to have an abandoned building inspected: is the building open or boarded up, location of building (front, rear, garage etc.) and is anyone using the building (homeless, children, gangbangers).
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Residential Motor Vehicle RepairThis service request is used to report persons who illegally repair motor vehicles in residential areas or by persons who are not currently licensed by the city to make repairs, commonly known as alley mechanics. Do not use this service request type to make a complaint against a licensed motor vehicle repair facility in Chicago. Those complaints should be reported under the "Consumer Fraud" type code.
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Liquor License Violation ComplaintsThis service request is used to report all complaints against liquor license holders, including sale of alcohol to minors, establishments that generate excessive noise, cash payouts on poker or other gambling machines, sale of single cigarettes or sale of cigarettes to minors.
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Cab ComplaintThis request is used to report problems with taxicab related service. Complaints are investigated about the condition or safety of a cab, a driver refusing to pick up a passenger or take them to their destination, reckless driving, an overcharge on the fare or discourtesy to passengers or fellow motorists. It is vital to have a complainant's name and contact information on reports against drivers, as disciplinary action may be impossible without this vital information.
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Landlord/Tenant InformationThis service request is used to request literature regarding the City's Residentail Landlord & Tenant Ordinance. Landlords and tenants may also wish to call (312) 742-7368, the Chicago Rents Right hotline. Tenants may also call (773) 292-4988 to seek assistance from the Metropolitan Tenants Organization, which provides service on behalf of our Department of Housing.
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Bungalow Rehab/Purchase InformationThis service request is used to request the mailing of information on possible financing and technical assistance to current and would-be owners of Historic Chicago Bungalows. A packet of literature will be sent to you that can guide you in the purchase, restoration, modernization or enlargement of these bungalows, and help you find the resources you need.
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Home Buyer ProgramsThe City has several programs to assist in the purchase of 1 to 4 unit residential properties in Chicago. We will send you a "Home Ownership Kit" with information on home ownership programs if you provide your name, address and zip code and daytime telephone number. The information on each program lets you know what steps to take next if you wish to participate in the program. Home ownership program information is sent out by the City's Department of Housing.
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Extreme Weather NotificationIn case of a Heat Warning or a Wind Chill Warning, the City will activate the Extreme Weather Notification System to provide weather information to those with special needs. Through its Emergency Telephone Notification System (or 911 Callback) the City will contact registered households with a recorded telephone message that will provide (1) weather forecasts and safety tips, (2) City services information (e.g. cooling/warming centers), and (3) how to register for an in-person well-being check.
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Restaurant ComplaintThis service request is used to report problems related to food safety at restaurants. Do not use this type to report problems relating to pricing, weights, expiration dates, or other business issues. These complaints are to be made under the Department of Consumer Services "Consumer Retail" type code.
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Emergency FoodThis service request is used to request a one-time box of non-perishable food for an individual or family in an emergency situation. Contact information is necessary for the person or family in need of the food so that the Emergency Services division of the Chicago Department of Human Services can call them to assess their needs.
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Graffiti RemovalGraffiti will be removed from public or private property by Graffiti Program. Graffiti will either be painted over (if the graffiti is on a painted surface) or blasted off with a high pressure baking soda and water solution (if it is on brick, cement or stone). You can report graffiti that is on your property, public property or on someone else's property.2
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Clean and Green ProgramThis service request is used to request supplies for neighborhood clean-up activities. Tools are loaned to community groups throughout the year. Requests for tools must be received 3-4 business days prior to date of clean up. Tools and bags will be picked up at the local Streets & San. Ward Yard. Groups wishing to have a weekend clean up must pick up the supplies on Friday. (Tools may be picked up on Saturday only on the two special citywide Clean and Green days in Spring and Fall.)
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Sanitation Code ViolationPlease use this service type to report unsanitary conditions on private property that should cause the owner to be cited for violating the City's sanitation codes. Certain questions must be answered to initiate an investigation:the location address and what type of problem exists. It is helpful to know who is responsible for the problem, if known. If you can leave your name and phone number, the inspectors sometimes need to contact the complainant in order to issue a citation to the violator.
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Garbage PickupUse this service type to report that the city truck that regularly picks up your garbage has not done so. Let us know if just your house that was missed or if the entire alley was missed. If you do not know what day to the week your pick up day is scheduled, contact "311" and ask to speak to your local Ward Sanitation office. Garbage is picked up by the Department of Streets and Sanitation, Bureau of Sanitation.
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Fly DumpingThis service request is used to report garbage or construction debris that has been illegally dumped on the public way or on a vacant lot. If you are viewing the dumping in progress, call 911 with the license plate number and a description of the vehicle and/or individuals involved. If you are reporting the problem after the fact, please include the license plate number and a description of the vehicle and/or individuals involved on this service request.
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Tree PlantingRequests to plant a tree on the City parkway in front of your house are done through this service type. The parkway is the space between the curb and the city sidewalk. Certain answers are required to enter a work order: the address you want a tree planted at, how many trees you want planted, and whether a tree has been planted at this address recently. The Department of Streets and Sanitation, Bureau of Forestry oversees tree planting for the City of Chicago.
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Tree RemovalA City inspector will check trees on the public way to determine if they are dead or diseased. The inspector will order the removal of dead or dangerous trees. If a tree is not dead or diseased the City will not remove it. Certain answers are required to enter a work order to request removal of a tree from city property: the address at which the tree is located and the location of the tree to be inspected (parkway near the curb, in alley or City-owned vacant lot etc.).
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Tree TrimTrees that are located on City property, usually between the curb and the City sidewalk, will be trimmed as necessary, upon request. When requesting this type of service it is important to indicate why you feel the tree needs to be trimmed (i.e. it's shading the street lights, trim dead branches, trim low branches over the sidewalk or street, clear branches away from the roof or windows of the house etc.).3
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Tree DebrisUse this service type to request a pickup of a pile of branches or bushes. The branches/bushes must be neatly stacked in the alley or City parkway near the curb. Blocking a street, sidewalk of alleyway may result in a sanitation code ticket being issued. Certain questions must be answered to complete this request: e.g. "amount larger than a desk" and where is the debris located. The Department of Streets and Sanitation, Bureau of Forestry picks up large piles of branches.
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Alley Light OutOne or more alley lights out, on a wooden pole in the alley itself, are reported under this service request type. Important information needed when reporting alley lights out includes: the exact address that the light/lights are behind, how many lights are out, and if the light(s) are completely out or if they blink on and off intermittently. Alley light repairs are done during the day when the lights are not on, so this information is essential to expedite the repair work.
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Garbage Cart black MaintenanceIf your black plastic City of Chicago garbage cart is missing, it may be replaced. You must let us know how many carts are missing, and how many carts you have remaining at the address. We also need to know the approximate date when you first noticed the cart missing. Do not use this service type to replace a damaged cart or to request an additional cart. Those services have their own service type codes that must be used.4
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Sign - Stop SignUse this service type to report a missing or damaged ""stop"" sign. Certain questions must be answered to complete this request: the name of the street the sign is on and the name of the nearest crossing street. If this is not an existing stop sign, but a request for a new sign that has never been there before, you must contact your local Aldermanic Office. City council action is required to install all new stop signs.
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Sign - All Other SignsUse this service type to report a missing or damaged street name, parking or traffic sign. A location or address is required in order to process this request. If you need to report a missing "one-way" or "do not enter" sign, please call 311 directly. A request to have a new sign installed (meaning the sign has never existed there before) must be made to your Alderman's office. This type of request requires City Council action and approval.5
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Alley Pot HoleUse this service type to report an alley pothole (usually irregular in shape) in the surface of the alley. A location description and address is required in order to process this request. If you need to report a utility cut (usually a square cut for water or sewer repairs) or a sinkhole (usually a dip in the pavement or a void), please call 311 directly. The Department of Transportation, Bureau of Streets repairs potholes.
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Water On StreetThis service type is used to report water that remains on the street following a rain storm. Certain questions need to be answered to dispatch a sewer crew: the address of the location, the location of the water (middle of street, curb line, alley etc.) Additional information that is helpful includes whether water is bubbling up in the street, and from where. Noting whether any construction has been done in the street lately, and by whom, can also help.
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Water in BasementReport a backup of water in your home or business under this service type. Certain questions need to be answered to dispatch a sewer crew: the address location, whether the water is dirty or clean, where the water is coming from (floor drain, toilet, shower etc.), how many inches of water have backed up and whether this is a basement, crawl space or ground level. Do not use this service type to report water that has entered your basement through the windows.
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Alley Sewer InspectionThis service request is used for problems with alley sewers, such as a caved-in sewer, a hole close to the sewer or standing water because the sewer is clogged. This type can also be used to report persons illegally dumping something into an alley sewer. If you are viewing the dumping in progress, call 911 with the license plate number and a description of the vehicle and/or individuals involved. If you are reporting the problem after the fact, please include a name, address or other information
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Private Drain ProgramThe City may now repair sewer drain tiles coming from private residences, of up to four units, that are broken under the public way. This is the area from the city sidewalk to the center of the street. Tiles proven to be broken under the public way will be repaired by the City at no cost to the property owner when the following conditions are met:. A licensed sewer contractor must be hired to rod and/or make a video inspection of the drain line. The contractor must schedule WM inspector review.
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Sewer Cleaning InspectionThis service type is used to request that the City sewers, located on or near the curb, be checked for cleaning. Certain questions must be answered to create a work order for an inspection: the address location, whether this sewer is in front of your home and the location of the sewer (street, curb line, alley etc.). Do not use this service type to request cleaning of a catch basin on private property. That is the property owner's responsibility.
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Street Lights - All/OutComplete blocks of streets lights on metal poles (more than two street lights) that are completely out are reported for repair by using this service type. Certain questions must be answered to report street lights all out: an address the lights are out in front of, how many lights are out, what street are the lights out on, and the parameters affected (entire block, from what street to what street etc.). Street light repairs are usually done during the day when the lights are not on.7
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Street Light Pole DamageThis service request is used to report damage to a City of Chicago street light pole. The pole may have been hit and knocked down, have a damaged arm that holds the light fixture, is dangerously rusted out at the base, etc. Do not use this type to report the cover plates missing from the base of the pole. Use the "Street Light Pole Door Missing" type.
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Yard WasteYard waste consists of leaves, grass clippings, branches, brush, clippings from shrubbery, and garden waste. Yard waste does not include dirt, rocks, or gravel. Piles of tree branches that are approximately the size of two garbage carts or smaller are picked up by the yard waste collection crews. Piles that are larger should be entered into the system as Tree Debris.
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Street Light - 1/OutReport one or two lights out of order (on metal poles) on a street in your neighborhood with this service type. Certain answers are required to report single street lights out: the address the light is in front of and is the light completely out or does it flicker on-off. Street light repairs are usually done during the day when the lights are not on, so this information is essential to expedite the repair work.
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