CHICAGO — Contractors who do inferior work would face harsh penalties under a measure set to be considered by the City Council.
The crackdown, ordered by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, was prompted by the death of firefighter Daniel Capuano in December 2015.
The change is designed to streamline Building Commissioner Judy Frydland's authority to penalize contractors who do not to follow city building codes or get the proper permits.
The new rules would increase punishment as multiple violations are found by inspectors, starting with a hold on permits and including the revocation of licenses of companies who fail to comply.
Capuano died while working to extinguish a warehouse fire at 92nd Street and Baltimore Avenue in South Chicago. He fell two stories down an unmarked elevator shaft while battling the smoky blaze.
The fire was sparked by an arc welder that accidentally ignited the building's insulation.
The Department of Buildings determined that at the time of the fire that "unauthorized work was being performed at the site, including complete removal of the elevator and other structural alterations," according to a statement from city officials.
The city demolished the warehouse a year after Capuano's death.
The full City Council will consider the measure Feb. 22.
