By Zach Dietmeier

BLOOMINGTON - A Bloomington shuttle service owner has been convicted of running an illegal taxi service.

Donnie B. Quinn, 41 of Bloomington, was found guilty last week on seven counts of illegally operating a taxicab. Quinn owns and operates Bloomington-Normal Limousine and Shuttle Service/Speedy Delivery and Bloomington-Normal Enterprises LLC.

City of Bloomington Assistant Corporation Counsel George Boyle said a sting operation by Bloomington Police caught several of Quinn's cabs transporting passengers without proper licensing.

“This case is about public safety and fairness,” Boyle said. “The companies that operate legitimately have to maintain their cabs according to the city’s safety standards and have those vehicles checked twice each year. They must also require their drivers to undergo criminal and driving history checks and operate according to the required rate structure. Illegal taxicabs don’t provide these important safeguards, and unfairly avoid fees and costs for safety checks by dodging the law.

Boyle added that passengers who use these so-called "gypsy cabs" may actually be overcharged because the illegal taxicab rates are not subject to meters and verification.

Quinn's sentencing is April 5. He could face fines between $3,500 and $21,000.

Zach Dietmeier can be reached at zach.dietmeier@cumulus.com.