ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- The City of Rockford Construction and Development Services Division is alerting property owners to be aware of solicitation of unscrupulous roofing contractors and not to be pressured to accept work from unlicensed roofing contractors. The City of Rockford requires all roofing repairs and replacement projects to first obtain a roofing permit from the City.

It is unlawful for a person to engage in commercial home merchandising (door to door) activities in the City of Rockford without having first obtained a Solicitation Permit from the City. The solicitation permit is required to be easily readable on the individual and includes the City of Rockford logo and name, the solicitation company, organization or association, the name of the solicitor, and the effective dates of the permit. The permissible hours of solicitation are between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Prior to the City issuing a solicitation permit individuals are required to pass a background check.

The State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulation licenses roofing contractors; in an effort to protect current and future property owners from the damage that could come from an improperly repaired or unfinished roofing job, the City verifies contractors are in compliance with State roofing license regulations.

Not only does this help ensure that roofing work will meet minimum standards but it is also important because licensed roofing contractors are required to be insured in order to do business in Illinois. Licensed roofers are also required to have their license number and business name properly identified on their trucks and must use their license number on any bids, advertising or marketing materials. General contractors are not permitted to provide roofing services unless they also have an active roofing contractor license.

Unlicensed roofing is a criminal offense and first offenders can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor and be sentenced to up to 364 days in prison. Subsequent violations are Class 4 felonies that could result in 1-3 years incarceration. More information on the State license requirements or to verify if a roofing contractor is licensed, you may go to www.idfpr.com Once there, clicking on DPR License look up would allow you to confirm whether the contractor is active and in good standing.

Alderman Frank Beach stated, “The City has put these regulations in place to protect the residents of our community”.