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Illinois 811 rules

In Illinois you call JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators): at least 48 hours / 2 working days (not counting day of notice) before excavation. Ticket life: 28 days; call again if work extends past 28 days or marks are faded/destroyed.

Advance notice before digging
At least 48 hours / 2 working days (not counting day of notice) before excavation.
Farthest ahead you can call
Excavation must begin within 14 calendar days of the call.
How long the ticket or marks last
28 days; call again if work extends past 28 days or marks are faded/destroyed.
Tolerance zone (hand dig inside it)
18 inches on either side of the marked line (hand dig / vacuum).
White lining (premarking)
Yes (physical, electronic, or verbal pre-marking before contacting JULIE, when practical).
The law
220 ILCS 50 (Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act).

Good to know: Chicago runs its own system, DIGGER, on top of JULIE.

Call 811 from anywhere in Illinois to reach JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators), or file online at illinois1call.com.

Running several digs at once?

TrackOver keeps each ticket number, markout date and expiry on the job it belongs to, and warns before a ticket runs out, so the crew in the hole isn't digging on a dead ticket.

811 ticket trackingFind dig work on the board

Where this comes from

Checked September 24, 2026 against the one-call center's published copy of the law, because the legislature's own site couldn't be read directly. Rules change; confirm with the center before a big job.

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