When a Vehicle for Hire Company application is submitted, the following process will occur:

1. Within 2 business days of submission, the applicant will be contacted via email with the invoice number and amount owed for the Application and Investigation Fees. Note that investigation fee amounts will vary based on the number of persons listed under ownership.
2. Upon receipt of all applicable fees, two processes will be initiated:
   •  All persons listed under ownership will receive emailed instructions from the City's background investigation company, SRA Screening, to complete their background checks; and
   • Our team will perform an initial review of the submission to confirm the application contains all necessary information and required documentation.

    
   Note, continued review of the application will be on hold until the applicant and all applicable owners complete their individual background check(s) via the email mentioned above.

3. Following completion of the initial review and background investigations, the submission will be forwarded to the Police Department for verification of successful vehicle inspection results. Note that only vehicles with completed and passed inspections will be considered for approval.
4.  Once inspection results are confirmed, the submission will be routed for final review. 
5. Approved applicants will be notified via email, which will include an invoice number and payment instructions for the license and vehicle fees.
   •  Denied applicants will receive an email detailing the reason(s) for denial.
6. Once all fees are paid, the applicant will receive their Vehicle for Hire Company license via email.

Semi-Annual Vehicle Inspections

Vehicle inspections for this license type are required to be completed in March and September of each year. Licensees are responsible for contacting and scheduling said inspections with Officer Brace at the Police Department by calling (309) 434-2467. Failure to complete required inspections may subject the license(s) to legal implications and/or revocation.

Renewals

Renewal emails will be sent to licensees the first week of March each year and will contain information on how to complete the renewal process of the license for the next fiscal year, which begins on May 1^st of each year.

All persons listed under ownership for a Vehicle for Hire Company application require a mandatory background investigation. The investigation will encompass state, federal, and local background checks and may include fingerprinting if deemed necessary. The applicant(s) shall be responsible for all investigation fees incurred for each person listed under ownership. Applications will not proceed until these requirements are fulfilled.

Within 2 business days of submission of the application, the applicant(s) will receive an email from SRA Screening, the City’s background investigation company, with details on how to complete the required background investigation.

Note that additional fees may be assessed during the background investigation process. Additional fees could include fees from courts, government agencies, or other third parties that charge for access to records. If any additional fees apply, the applicant will receive an email with updated invoice information. Payment of any additional fees is required before a license can be issued.

The following documents are required to be up-to-date and on file at all times during the license period, and must be included with your application submission:

• List of Owners, Partners, Officers, etc.
• Must include the Name, Date of Birth, Address, Email Address, and Percent Owned for each
• Copy of the Vehicle Registration for Each Vehicle
• If multiple vehicles are being applied for, please combine all registrations into one file and attach to the application
•  Copy of the State of IL Certificate of Safety for Each Vehicle
•  If multiple vehicles are being applied for, please combine all certificates into one file and attach to the application
• Financial Statement
•  A statement detailing the applicant's assets and liabilities
• If applicable, the statement must also include the amount of all unpaid judgments against the applicant and the nature of the transactions or acts giving rise to said judgments
• $2,000 Penal Bond
• The Bond must include the following:
• Entity/Individual Name;
• Establishment Address;
• Bond Number;
• Term Dates; and
• The City of Bloomington, 115 E. Washington St. Bloomington, IL 61701, should be listed as Obligee.
• Certificate of Liability Insurance (Actual Certificate is Required)
• The Certificate is required to list all of the following:
• Legal Entity Name, DBA (Assumed Name), and Entity Address listed;
• Vehicle Make, Model, and License Plate # listed for Each Vehicle;
• Minimum Coverage Limits* listed as required by § 40-205 (also provided below);
• The City of Bloomington, 115 E. Washington St., Bloomington, IL 61701, listed as the Certificate Holder (bottom left of Certificate); and
• Must have the City of Bloomington listed as an Additional Insured
• Additional Insured can be listed in the Description Box (near the bottom of the Certificate) 

*Minimum Coverage Requirements for Liability Insurance

• For vehicles carrying eight or less passengers:
  • $500,000 for bodily injury or death per person;
  • $1,000,000 for bodily injury or death per accident; and
  • $100,000 for property damage per accident.
• For vehicles carrying nine or more passengers:
  • A combined single limit for each accident of $1,200,000
• For a vehicle for hire entity operating vehicle(s) for hire:
  • A combined single limit of $1,000,000

If applicable, the following must be included with your application submission:

• Copy of the Entity's Articles of Incorporation/Organization

The items below do not require document submission; however, these additional requirements must be met.

• If applicable, entities must be in good standing with the State of IL. No documentation should be submitted from the business for this. The City Clerk Department will verify standing directly with the State of IL.
• Inspections - Before a license can be approved/issued, each vehicle listed on the application is required to pass inspection by the Bloomington Police Department. Note that if approved, a reinspection of each vehicle listed on the Vehicle for Hire Company license will be required in March and September of each year.

Before license application review can begin, the applicant must pay the following Application and Background Investigation Fees:

Application Fee: $250
Investigation Fee (per person listed under ownership): $75*

*In addition to the $91 background investigation fee listed above, the Applicant Entity will be responsible for any extra fees that may be assessed during the background investigation process. Additional fees could include fees from courts, government agencies, or other third parties that charge for access to records. If any additional fees apply, the applicant will receive an email with updated invoice information. Note that payment of any additional fees is required before a license can be issued.

 If approved, each entity is required to pay the following license and vehicle:

Annual License Fee: $250
Annual Vehicle Fee (per approved vehicle): $100

Note that the applicant will not be required to pay license and vehicle fees unless approved.

For an applicant's first annual license with the City Clerk Department, the license and vehicle fees will be prorated based on the number of days remaining in the active term following approval.

• When a Vehicle for Hire Driver’s Permit application is submitted, the following process will occur:

1. Within 2 business days of submission, the applicant will be contacted via email with the invoice number and amount owed for the Application and Investigation Fees. 
2. Upon receipt of all applicable fees, two processes will be initiated:
   • The applicant will receive email instructions from the City's background investigation company, SRA Screening, to complete their background check; and
   • Our team will perform an initial review of the submission to confirm the application contains all necessary information and required documentation. Note that the initial review includes verification that the applicant’s employer is licensed as a Vehicle for Hire Company with the City.
   • Note, continued review of the application will be on hold until the applicant completes their individual background check via the email mentioned above.
3. Following completion of the initial review and background investigations, the submission is routed for final review. 
4. Approved applicants will be notified via email, which will include an invoice number and payment instructions for the permit fee.
   • Denied applicants will receive an email detailing the reason(s) for denial.
5. Once the permit fee is paid, the applicant will receive an email notifying them that their Vehicle for Hire Driver’s Permit is ready for pick-up.

Permits can be picked up at 115 E. Washington St., Suite 103 (The HUB), Bloomington, IL 61701. Pick-Up hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A valid driver’s license which matches the applicant’s name must be provided to staff when picking up.

Renewals

Renewal emails will be sent to permittees the first week of March each year and will contain information on how to complete the renewal process of the permit for the next fiscal year, which begins on May 1^st of each year.

Replacement Driver’s Permit

If your Driver’s Permit has been lost or destroyed, a request for a replacement can be made by emailing cityclerk@cityblm.org. The request must include the permittee’s full name and the reason for the request for replacement. Note that fees associated with replacement permits are the responsibility of the permittee.

All Vehicle for Hire Drivers require a mandatory background investigation. The investigation will encompass state, federal, and local background checks and may include fingerprinting, if deemed necessary. The applicant shall be responsible for all investigation fees incurred. Applications will not proceed until this requirement is fulfilled.

Within 2 business days of submission of the application, the applicant will receive an email from SRA Screening, the City’s background investigation company, with details on how to complete the required background investigation.

Note that additional fees may be assessed during the background investigation process. Additional fees could include fees from courts, government agencies, or other third parties that charge for access to records. If any additional fees apply, the applicant will receive an email with updated invoice information. Payment of any additional fees is required before a license can be issued.

The following documents are required to always be up-to-date and on file during the permit period, and must be included with your application submission:

• Copy of the Applicant's Driver's License
• A Passport-Style Photo - The photo will be used on permit, if approved. 
• References
• A list of four persons who have known the applicant for a period of at least four years and who will vouch for the sobriety, honesty, and general good character of the applicant, which must include the following for each:
• Name;
• Phone Number;
• Email Address; 
• Address; and
• # of Years Known.
• Employment History
•  A concise history of the applicant's employment must be submitted

Note that Vehicle for Hire Drivers are only permitted to operate when employed by a Vehicle for Hire Company holding a current, valid license issued by the City of Bloomington.

Before permit application review can begin, the applicant must pay the following Application and Background Investigation Fees:

Application Fee: $100
Investigation Fee: $75*

*In addition to the background investigation fee listed above, the Applicant will be responsible for any extra fees that may be assessed during the background investigation process. (Additional fees could include fees from courts, government agencies, or other third parties that charge for access to records). If any additional fees apply, the applicant will receive an email with invoice information. Note that payment of any additional fees is required before a permit can be issued.

If approved, each applicant is required to pay the following permit fee: 

Annual Permit Fee: $50

The applicant will not be required to pay permit fees unless approved.

For an applicant's first annual permit with the City Clerk Department, the permit fee will be prorated based on the number of days remaining in the active term following approval.

Permittees that report their permit lost or destroyed must pay the following to obtain a replacement permit:

Replacement Permit Fee: $10