Chicago ordinance introduces pre-employment drug testing for ride-sharing companies

A Chicago alderman has introduced a new ordinance that would require pre-employment drug testing — and subsequent annual drug testing — for all ride-sharing companies’ drivers within the city. Councilman Roderick Sawyer introduced the ordinance in September, after a drug-test mandate was eliminated from the ride-sharing ordinance that the Windy City passed in May. The City Council was divided on May’s legislation, however. When the drug-testing language was removed from a previous ride-sharing bill, Sawyer felt he had to vote against it. “We want to make sure our constituents are safe and have a safe ride,” said Sawyer. “It should have stayed in.” The new ordinance requires that any ride-share driver pass pre-employment drug testing prior to receiving a license to carry passengers, as well as prior to renewing existing licenses. Drug tests would also be required to be administered by a City Hall-approved company, under the ordinance. Companies and drivers that do not comply would be subject to per-incident fines up to $1,000, as well as license revocation for at least a year. Chicago and other Illinois cities are able to create their own ordinances for ride-share companies after Governor Pat Quinn vetoed legislation in August, which would have placed stricter regulations on ride-share companies state-wide. No timeframe has been set for voting on the new ordinance. California also recently attempted to pass legislation mandating pre-employment drug testing for drivers; the bill did not pass. photo credit: Armando G Alonso via photopin cc]]>