PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY

Joliet, Illinois, May 02, 2018 -- With warmer temperatures, eager homeowners and contractors in Illinois are gearing up to start outdoor digging projects. Before reaching for that shovel to start digging, JULIE, Inc. (JULIE) reminds everyone to know what’s below and always call 811 first. This is a free call and service.

“Protect yourself and your family. The results of a recent national survey by the Common Ground Alliance revealed that 36 percent of homeowners who plan to dig this year will put themselves and their communities at risk by not calling a state one-call center, like JULIE, at least two business days beforehand to learn the approximate location of underground utility lines,” said Kevin Chmura, director of public relations for JULIE, Inc. “Across the country, every nine minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without calling 811 first.” Notification to JULIE prior to every digging project is the law in Illinois.

Putting up a fence, installing a mailbox post, building a deck or patio and planting trees and shrubs are common examples of projects that require a call to JULIE, regardless of the project’s size or depth. JULIE’s call center agents are available to receive and process locate requests 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  In addition to calling to submit a locate request, E-Request is a free, self-service option via www.illinois1call.com.

5 Steps to Safe Digging Projects
There are five important steps to safer digging this spring:

Planning a weekend project? At least two business days before you put a shovel in the ground, call JULIE at 811. This is a free call and service in Illinois. Protect yourself and your family. Always call JULIE at 811 before you dig. For more information and safe digging tips, visit www.illinois1call.com.

1. Pre-mark the dig site with white paint or flags.
2. Call JULIE at 811 or go online at www.illinois1call.com to submit a self-service request before you dig;
3. Wait the required amount of time (two business days);
4. Respect the marks; and
5. Dig with care.

When homeowners and contractors call either 811 or 800-892-0123, they will speak with a JULIE call center agent who will take the location and description of the project site and notify affected member facility owners and operators. Within two business days, these members will then send a professional locator to mark the approximate location of their underground utility lines with small color-code flags or paint at no cost. JULIE personnel do not perform locating or marking services.  

Based in Joliet, JULIE is a not-for-profit organization which represents 1,950 members and covers Illinois, outside the city of Chicago (811 Chicago covers the city of Chicago). The Illinois One-Call System receives and processes 1.55 million requests on an annual basis. For additional safety and expert tips, an explanation of the color-code flags and markings, and information about the one-call process, visit www.illinois1call.com.

Attachments

• Spring photo foot_on_shovel
• Spring planting_tree_family

Kevin Chmura
JULIE, Inc. (Illinois One-Call System)
815-741-5005
[email protected]