We are excited to share that JULIE’s Positive Response System will be fully functional and available for excavators beginning December 1, 2025. This means you can begin checking how utility companies responded to your locale requests online– any time, from anywhere, using a phone, tablet, or computer with internet access.

While the system is not mandatory or enforceable until January 1, 2026, some JULIE member utilities have already started posting their responses as part of the transition. You may begin seeing codes appear on the Positive Response Display portal in response to your locale request as members explore the system and prepare for full implementation.

Starting December 1, the system will also generate automated email notifications so you can stay informed when responses are posted.

How It Works

View Member Responses Online: Enter your ticket number and instantly see the locale response codes posted by each utility on your request. Excavators who receive their ticket confirmation by email can also click the link at the bottom of that to access the display portal.

Codes Provide Real-Time Status Before You Dig: Look for a code 20 (marked) or a code 10 (no conflict) from all listed member utilities before beginning excavation. Any other code would require you to have further communication with the utility or contact JULIE for further assistance prior to digging.

Transition Period Through 2025: Continue using all traditional communication channels – site checks, markings, emails, and voicemails – through the end of the year.

Mandatory and Enforceable: Beginning January 1, 2026: All utilities will be required to post responses electronically. Excavators are also required to check the Positive Responses System either through the portal or providing a valid email address to receive notifications from the system. The Illinois Commerce Commission is responsible for enforcement.

Explore JULIE’s Newly Redesigned Website

JULIE’s website has undergone a complete transformation—designed with professional excavators in mind. The new design delivers faster access to the tools, resources and guidance you rely on to plan safe and compliant excavation projects.

With improved navigation, enhanced search capabilities, and a cleaner layout, finding information on notification timelines, positive response, and safe digging procedures is now easier than ever.

The excavators page puts everything you need at your fingertips, from step-by-step project planning tools to safety best practices, helping you prevent underground utility damage and stay compliant on every job site.

Visit the new site today and experience a smarter, more efficient way to get the information you need—every project, every time.  Bookmark our site for easy reference!

Get Ready for Positive Response Before It’s Mandatory in 2026

Positive Response is coming for all excavators in Illinois in 2026, and now’s the perfect time to get comfortable with the system. Familiarizing yourself with the codes, tools, and process ahead of time will make your projects smoother and help keep everyone safe.

JULIE makes it easy to get started:

Online Course: Learn at your own pace—anytime, anywhere, even from your phone. Sign in today to take JULIE Essentials for Positive Response (Excavators) at no cost.

Live Webinars: Join us on October 30 or November 12 for interactive online training and tips. Registration is free. A recording will be sent to you after the webinar.

Recorded Session: Can’t make a webinar? Watch the recording on your schedule. 

Using the Positive Response System helps you track utility responses, stay compliant, and avoid unnecessary delays on the job site. Getting familiar now means less stress and more efficiency when it becomes mandatory on January 1. 

Want to learn more about the Positive Response System or need additional training?  Our Damage Prevention Managers are available to assist.

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