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After a Flood

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1. Do I Need A Permit?

You do not need a permit to clean a furnace, boiler, or water heater. You also do not need a permit to remove or replace:

• Carpet or tile
• Drywall or insulation
• Light fixtures
• Windows (of the same size opening)

You do need a permit to remove or replace:

• Electrical wiring or conduits
• Electrical panels
• Furnaces or boilers
• Water heaters
• Roofing
• Siding

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Fire Department

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1. How do I get a copy of a fire report?

You can get a copy of a fire report by calling 847-391-5340 or by going to the Fire Prevention Bureau at City Hall - 1420 Miner, 2nd flr.

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Public Works and Engineering

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1. Where can I find current information about the Capital Improvement Program Projects under construction?

Visit our Construction Update Blog by clicking the following link - Construction Update Blog

2. Who do I call about potholes on IDOT state highways?

IDOT general number (847) 705-4000
IDOT Communication Center (847) 705-4228
IDOT Claims for hitting Pot Holes (847) 705-4061
IDOT Claim form

3. How does the City determine which streets to improve and what type of construction will be done?

The condition of each street is evaluated bi-annually under a standardized ranking system. Information concerning the age and condition of City-owned utilities such as water mains and sewer systems is also compiled. Streets with the most deterioration and need for improvement are given priority. A five-year schedule called the Capital Improvement Program is developed based on this information along with the available funding. Public alleys are also similarly evaluated and incorporated into the CIP.

The three types of improvement projects are Street Reconstruction, Street Rehabilitation, and Street Resurfacing:

• A Street Reconstruction project consists of underground utility (water main and/or sewer) work, replacement of curbs, hazardous sidewalks, driveway aprons, as well as a complete reconstruction of the roadway.
• A Street Rehabilitation project includes replacement of driveway aprons, trip hazardous sidewalks, and curbs with drainage or deterioration problems, as well as resurfacing the roadway.
• A Street Resurface project consists of resurfacing the roadway.

For more information, click the following link - Capital Improvement Program Page

4. My sidewalk is cracked but my street is not scheduled for an upcoming project. How can I get this repaired?

Individual locations needing attention, such as a severely cracked sidewalk or a missing piece of curb are repaired under the City's Sidewalk and Curb Program. The locations are generated primarily by resident requests and evaluated by the Public Works and Engineering department for hazardous conditions. This program is completed once each year, and locations are chosen for construction in a "first come-first served" basis.

Click on the followin link for additional information about this program and to use the online reporting form - Sidewalk, Curb & Apron Replacement Guidelines

5. Are my taxes going to go up with the improvement?

Capital Improvement Program projects are funded by Motor Fuel Taxes (State funding), Home Rule Sales Taxes, Storm Sewer User Fees, and Special Service Area Property Taxes. The City also applies for and receives grant money (usually Federal funding) to complete specific types of projects such as creek maintenance and restoration, bike paths and new sidewalk construction.

In general, your taxes will not increase unless a Special Service Assessment is applied. Prior to any SSA the residents in the area will have an opportunity to vote on the potential improvement. The typical improvements are for features that do not already exist. For example, an SSA may be created to put new curb and gutter on a street that doesn’t have any.

Click on the following link to view - Motor Fuel Tax Information

6. My street is scheduled for construction. How will I know exactly what work is going to be done?

Before work begins, the City will distribute letters concerning pertinent project information including the project limits, schedule and contact information. As the project progresses, additional informational letters will be distributed and specific limits will be marked out with spray paint by the project Resident Engineer. The arrows indicate what areas of sidewalk, curb, and driveway aprons will be removed and replaced in connection with the project.

For more information, click the following link - Capital Improvement Program Page

7. Who performs the work and whom do I contact if I have a problem?

Each project is bid on by qualified contracting firms and awarded to the lowest bidder. The selected contractor will appoint a Project Superintendent who is responsible for all of the workers, equipment, and materials on the project. The City of Des Plaines Public Works and Engineering Department will assign a Resident Engineer who is responsible for all coordination between the City and the contractor. The Engineer is involved with all aspects of the project including field layout, material inspection, progress payments, and scheduling. A City Inspector may also be assigned to assist the Engineer with field inspection and measurements.

If you have problems or questions during the course of construction, please contact the Resident Engineer. Contact information is distributed with all resident notification letters and can be found by clicking the following link - Captial Improvement Program Page

8. What are the colored flags, paint markings and wood stakes for?

The colored flags and paint markings represent locations of underground utilities. Each color corresponds to a different type of utility. The most common are blue (water lines), green (sewer lines), yellow (gas lines), orange (telephone or fiber-optic lines) and red (electrical lines). The City of Des Plaines uses pink to mark out project specific information, such as removal limits. Wood staking is placed for reference points on the project. These indicate project stations, elevations or locations of various proposed features. Please do not remove any flags or staking, as these are critical markers used for constructing the project.

For more information about locating underground utilities, click the following link - Homeowners Guide to calling JULIE

9. Will my garbage collection service be interrupted?

No. During the project we ensure that refuse collectors have access to the street. If a special pick-up day and time is required, we will arrange this with the service and notify residents accordingly.

10. Where do I place leaves for collection?

During any construction project, leaves should be placed in the parkway according to the normal schedule instead of the street. If a special pick-up day is required, we will arrange this with Public Works and notify the affected residents.

For more information, click the following link - Leaf Collection Page

11. When do I need to move my car from my driveway and where do I park?

The City will distribute letters informing residents of any driveway or special street closures. During all projects, parking on adjacent side streets is encouraged. It is recommended that residents limit trips during project working hours (typically weekdays from 7am to 6pm). During non-working hours, vehicles may be parked on the street.

If you have special concerns related to parking or access, please contact the project Resident Engineer.

12. My street is getting a new water main. What if I have problems such as low water pressure or air in the line after the work is complete?

If you begin experiencing low water pressure, sediment displaced during the connection may be trapped in the water meter or faucet aerator (the screen at the end of the faucet). Contact the Resident Engineer who will arrange for Public Works to clean the meter.

If there is air in the water line, you should run your water for a few minutes from a few different locations in your house. This will help flush the system and expel any air that is trapped. The Resident Engineer should be contacted if flushing does not correct the problem.

13. How much work will be done in the parkways, and will the City place new sod or seed?

Depending on the underground utility locations, work may take place in the parkways. For example, fire hydrants may need to be upgraded in which case the contractor will be working in the parkway.

The City typically restores parkways with new sod. Special conditions such as a heavily shaded area or small area (less than 10 square feet) of disturbance may be seeded instead of sodded.

14. The Contractor placed sod and now it is dead. What is the City's policy for replacing dead sod?

After the new sod is placed, the contractor will maintain (water) it for approximately two weeks. After a 30-day period, if the sod is in a healthy and growing condition, the City will accept the new turf. The homeowner is responsible for all watering and maintenance after this 30-day period and City acceptance.

No sod will be replaced after acceptance by the City per City Code 8-6-5.

15. What if I want extra work done? Does the Contractor do private work?

If the additional work is within the project scope and in the City right-of-way, it may be added to the project through a Resident Extra Agreement. After the resident signs the Agreement, the Engineer includes the work into the project and the resident is invoiced by the City using the established contract unit prices. Examples of this are minor widening of driveway aprons and replacing additional City sidewalk. Note that there are building permit requirements to follow, so not all extra work can be authorized.

Residents should contact the project Resident Engineer to discuss specific details.

Work on private property cannot be included in the project. The homeowner is responsible for making all arrangements for private work, including acquiring applicable permits and hiring a contractor. For example, if you want to replace your driveway (from sidewalk to garage), you will need to acquire a permit from Community and Economic Development at (847) 391-5380 and make arrangements with a contractor. The City's contractor may be available to do private work, but the homeowner must contact the contractor directly.

16. How do I get my property removed from the flood plain?

The first step is to check with the City of Des Plaines Public Works and Engineering Department to determine if your property is close to being out of the flood plain. If it is close, you can decide to hire a land surveyor and the surveyor will complete an elevation certificate. This certificate is then submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for review. If FEMA determines your elevation certificate indicates your property is out of the flood plain, they will issue a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) showing the change (removal from the flood plain).

17. What if I experience flooding in my home and/or basement when it rains?

The City of Des Plaines can review and evaluate the situation upon receiving documentation of the occurrence along with pictures of the affected areas. Please mail documentation to the City of Des Plaines Public Works and Engineering Department at 1420 Miner Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016 along with your name, address, and telephone number. All locations are reviewed and prioritized before chosen for improvement.

18. Where can I find information about flood protection and flood insurance rates?

Click the following link - Flooding Information Page

19. Where can I find out if a property is in a flood plain?

To submit a request, click the following link - Flood Plain Request Form

20. Where can I locate information regarding the Benchmark System?

Click the following link- Benchmark Map

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Records Division

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1. I need a copy of my report, but I don’t know the report number.

It’s always easier to obtain a copy of a report when you can provide a report number, however we can also retrieve that information by your name and/or the location of the incident. For security and privacy purposes, please always bring your state ID for verification purposes. Copies of reports are free for Des Plaines residents and $5 for everyone else.

2. Can you fax my report?

In order to protect the privacy of each individual’s information on a report, we do not fax reports. You are expected to pick up the report from the Records Department with appropriate ID information.

3. Why can’t I have a copy of my report?

There could be different reasons that would prevent the Records Division from releasing a copy of your report.

• You are listed on the report as a suspect (you will be able to view the report on your court date or your lawyer can subpoena it)
• If there is an arrest made and the case is still active in court
• If the Detective Bureau has an active investigation which pertains to your report

4. I received a ticket, but I lost it and I don’t know when my court date is.

If it is a parking ticket, we can search by your name or license plate number and find it. If it is a moving violation, it is necessary for you to know the date the ticket was issued. Tickets for moving violations are sent to the Skokie Court House, and the only way we can track these are by the date issued. Otherwise, contact the Skokie Court House at 847-470-7250 and someone there should be able to assist you.

5. I need your department to do a background check on me.

The Records Department will do background checks for arrests in Des Plaines only.
An individual can request a background check for him/herself for immigration, adoption, or employment purposes. Certain government agencies can request a background check based on a release from the individual the check pertains to. For a statewide check, contact the Illinois State Police (ISP) at 847-294-4400.