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May 2, 2003
Naperville, Ill. – Before you plant those flowers, shrubs or trees this spring, Nicor Gas wants to remind you about the Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators (JULIE), also known as the "Illinois One-Call System."
JULIE serves as a message handling, notification service for underground facility owners, taking information about planned excavations and distributing this information to its membership. It is then the responsibility of each facility owner to mark the location of their underground facilities at the excavation site. JULIE neither owns nor marks any underground facilities.
Most people aren't aware of this, but digging season begins in April and lasts through September. With the weather warming up and homeowners taking on projects around the home, we wanted to take this opportunity to inform you about JULIE. We also want to remind you about some common outdoor projects that require a call into JULIE including but not limited to:
- Putting in a new fence
- Installing a swing set or a mail box post
- Adding a new water feature or clothes line pole
- Building a deck or room addition
- Preparing a new garden area
- Adding new trees or shrubs
Guidelines to follow when considering any digging project include:
- Call JULIE (1-800-892-0123) BEFORE you dig. Illinois law requires all persons digging to call JULIE at least two working days prior to the start of excavation.
- WAIT the required amount of time (two working days). The 48 hour notice does not include Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.
- Begin that project within 14 calendar days from the call.
- RESPECT the marks.
- Dig with CARE.
- Remember, if the marks are destroyed before beginning any project then JULIE must be called again.
- NEVER dig without marks.
JULIE, Inc. promotes an easier, safer digging environment and serves the entire state of Illinois outside of the city of Chicago, which is served by DIGGER. JULIE is a not-for-profit corporation that provides homeowners and contractors with a toll-free number (1-800-892-0123) for the free locating and marking of underground facilities. Established in 1974, JULIE currently represents over 1,670 members. For more information about JULIE, including a list of free education materials and safety tips, please visit www.julie1call.com.
Nicor Gas is one of the nation's largest gas distribution companies. Owned by Nicor, Inc. (NYSE: GAS) a holding company, Nicor Gas has provided safe, reliable and cost-effective natural gas services for nearly 50 years. The Company serves two million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit the Nicor Web site at www.nicorgas.com.
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