How To Contact JULIE Before You Dig: Your Complete Guide To Safe Excavation
Before you start any digging project, big or small, there's one crucial step you can't afford to skip: contacting JULIE. This essential service helps protect Illinois residents from the dangers and costly repairs associated with damaging underground utilities.
What is JULIE and Why is it Important?
JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators) serves as Illinois' vital link between homeowners, professional excavators, and utility companies. When you plan to dig, whether for a simple garden project or major construction work, underground utility lines could be lurking just beneath the surface. These include gas lines, electrical cables, water pipes, and communication lines that, if damaged, can lead to dangerous situations and expensive repairs.
JULIE works to prevent damage to Illinois underground utilities by connecting homeowners and professional excavators with member utility companies through our free and easy facility notification center. This service is not just a convenience—it's a legal requirement in Illinois for any digging project, no matter how small.
How to Contact JULIE: Multiple Convenient Options
Online Locate Request
You can enter your own information directly into the locate request form using the same maps and drop-down tools as JULIE agents. This user-friendly online system allows you to:
- Input your project details
- Specify the exact dig location
- Select the type of work you'll be performing
- Choose your preferred utility response method
The online portal is designed to be intuitive and efficient, saving you time while ensuring all necessary information reaches the utility companies.
Phone Contact
For those who prefer speaking with someone directly, you can contact JULIE before you dig online, by calling 811, or through remote ticket entry. The traditional phone method remains popular, especially for complex projects or if you have specific questions about your excavation plans.
Remote Ticket Entry
Remote Ticket Entry (RTE) offers another convenient option for professional excavators who submit locate requests regularly. This system allows for efficient processing of multiple tickets and is particularly useful for contractors managing several projects simultaneously.
Adding Visual Information to Your Request
One of the most helpful features of the modern JULIE system is the ability to add attachments (photos or maps of the proposed dig area). This visual information helps utility locators understand your project better and mark the underground lines more accurately. Whether you're using the online portal or RTE, you can upload:
- Photos of the dig site
- Property surveys
- Site plans
- Marked-up maps showing proposed excavation areas
When and How Far in Advance to Contact JULIE
Timing is crucial when contacting JULIE. You should call at least 2 days, not including the day you contact JULIE, before you plan to dig. This advance notice gives utility companies sufficient time to:
- Process your locate request
- Dispatch locators to your site
- Mark underground facilities with appropriate color-coded paint or flags
- Provide you with confirmation that all utilities have responded
An agent will assist you with your locate request, ensuring all necessary details are captured correctly. This two-business-day window is the minimum required by Illinois law, though giving extra time can be beneficial, especially during busy seasons.
JULIE's 24/7 Availability
Underground utility safety doesn't adhere to a 9-to-5 schedule, and neither does JULIE. The service is available 24/7 to help mark underground utility lines safely. Whether you're planning an early morning project or need to make an emergency call about a damaged line, JULIE is there to assist you any time, day or night, 365 days a year.
This round-the-clock availability is crucial because:
- Excavation emergencies can happen at any time
- Some projects require weekend or evening work
- Weather conditions might necessitate last-minute digging plans
- Utility line damage requires immediate reporting and response
The Free Service That Could Save You Thousands
One of the most remarkable aspects of JULIE is that it's safe, free, and easy for homeowners and excavators before any digging work. There's no charge for contacting JULIE or for the utility companies to mark their lines on your property. Considering that hitting a single utility line can result in:
- Repair costs ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars
- Potential fines and legal liability
- Service disruptions to your neighborhood
- Serious injury or even fatalities in worst-case scenarios
The free JULIE service is an invaluable resource that every Illinois resident should use without hesitation.
What JULIE Does for You
We perform the vital role of connecting homeowners like you with utility companies so they can mark their underground lines and indicate where it's safe to dig. This connection service is the core of what makes JULIE so essential. The process works as follows:
- You contact JULIE with your project details
- JULIE notifies all member utility companies with infrastructure in your dig area
- Utility companies send professional locators to mark their lines
- You receive information about which utilities have responded and which haven't
- You can proceed with your project once all utilities have either marked their lines or indicated they have no facilities in the area
When to Contact JULIE: Common Scenarios
Whether you're planting, building, adding, or fixing anything outdoors, all you have to do is contact JULIE before you dig. Many people mistakenly believe JULIE is only for large construction projects, but this service is necessary for numerous activities, including:
- Planting trees or large shrubs
- Installing fence posts
- Building a deck or patio
- Setting up a mailbox
- Installing a swimming pool
- Laying a new driveway
- Landscaping projects
- Home additions
- Trenching for drainage
- Installing sprinkler systems
Essentially, if you'll be penetrating the ground in any way, you need to contact JULIE first.
The Future of JULIE: Positive Response System
Looking ahead, learn about JULIE's positive response system launching in 2025. This upcoming enhancement will further improve communication between excavators and utility companies by:
- Providing real-time status updates on locate requests
- Offering electronic verification of utility responses
- Improving documentation and record-keeping
- Enhancing overall efficiency of the locate process
The positive response system represents JULIE's commitment to continuous improvement and better service for Illinois residents and professionals.
Member Responsibilities and Excavator Information
For utility companies that are JULIE members, there are important obligations to fulfill. Members must post locate request statuses, keeping excavators informed before digging. This requirement ensures transparency and accountability in the process, allowing excavators to know exactly which utilities have responded to their requests and which may need follow-up.
For excavators, this system provides peace of mind and legal protection, as you can document which utilities have fulfilled their marking responsibilities and which have not.
Adding Attachments: A Premium Feature
Add attachments (photos or maps of the proposed dig area) — available exclusively to certain account types, typically professional excavators and contractors. This feature enhances communication by providing visual context to locate requests, making the marking process more accurate and efficient.
Professional excavators can benefit from this feature by:
- Uploading site plans for complex projects
- Providing photos of difficult-to-describe locations
- Sharing property surveys that show easements and right-of-ways
- Including marked-up maps that highlight specific dig areas
Conclusion: Your Safety is Worth the Call
Contacting JULIE before you dig is more than just following the law—it's about protecting yourself, your property, and your community. The service is free, easy to use, and could prevent catastrophic damage to vital infrastructure. Whether you're a homeowner planting a tree or a professional contractor managing a major development, contact JULIE before you dig and stay safe.
Remember, that quick phone call or online request could be the difference between a successful project and a costly, dangerous mistake. With 24/7 availability, multiple contact methods, and a commitment to public safety, JULIE stands ready to help you dig safely in Illinois. Don't take chances with underground utilities—make JULIE your first call for any excavation project.
