Report Streetlight Outages Affecting Drivers - Chicago
In Chicago, Illinois, report streetlight outages or roadway lighting hazards that affect driver safety as soon as you notice them. Streetlight failures can create collision risks at intersections, reduce visibility on arterial roads, and increase pedestrian danger. For most non-emergency outages the City of Chicago uses the 311 system for intake and routing; certain lights are owned or maintained by utilities and may be handled directly by the utility.[1]
What to report and when
Report any streetlight that is completely out, flickering intermittently, showing exposed wiring, or otherwise creating a hazard for drivers (e.g., unlit intersections, burned-out signals, or damaged poles). Provide the exact address or nearest cross-street, pole or signal ID if visible, and whether the condition affects traffic signals, roadway lighting, or creates a physical hazard in the travel lane.
Use the City of Chicago 311 online form or app to submit details, photos, and location coordinates when possible; this creates an official service request and a tracking number for follow-up.Report a streetlight outage[1]
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement and repair responsibility can fall to the City of Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) for city-owned streetlights, or to the utility company for utility-owned fixtures. The city dispatches inspections and coordinates repairs through 311 intake; utilities may respond under their own outage protocols.Chicago Department of Transportation[2]
- Enforcer: CDOT or the utility provider; inspection and complaint pathways are initiated via 311 or the utility outage line.
- Fines/penalties: not specified on the cited page.
- Escalation and continuing offences: not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: orders to repair, administrative compliance directives, and referral to enforcement units may apply; specific remedies are not detailed on the cited page.
Applications & Forms
No separate permit application is required for reporting an outage. Submit a 311 service request online, by phone, or via the Chicago 311 mobile app. If the light is utility-owned, use the utility outage reporting channel listed below.Report a streetlight outage[1]
How-To
- Confirm safety: if the condition is an immediate traffic hazard, call 911.
- Gather details: exact location, pole/signal ID, visible damage, and take photos if safe.
- File the report: submit a 311 request online or via the app with location and photos to create a tracking number.Report a streetlight outage[1]
- Check utility ownership: if the fixture is utility-owned, report directly to the utility outage center for faster restoration.ComEd outage center[3]
- Follow up: use the 311 tracking number to request status updates; note response times may vary.
- Appeal or escalate: if repairs are not scheduled or completed, request supervisor review through 311 or contact CDOT for escalation.Chicago Department of Transportation[2]
FAQ
- Who is responsible for repairing a broken streetlight?
- The City of Chicago is responsible for city-owned fixtures and coordinates repairs via 311; utility-owned lights are repaired by the utility company listed on the pole or via the utility outage center.[2][3]
- How long does it take to fix a reported outage?
- Response and repair times vary by ownership, priority, and crew availability; specific timeframes are not specified on the cited pages.
- Should I call 911 or 311?
- Call 911 for immediate hazards that threaten public safety; use 311 for non-emergency outage reports and follow-up.
Key Takeaways
- Report outages via 311 to create a trackable service request.
- Utility-owned lights may require direct reporting to the utility outage center.
- Keep photos and the 311 tracking number for follow-up and escalation.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Chicago 311 - Contact and service portal
- Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT)
- Chicago Municipal Code - Code Library