Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for SB0678

Creates the High Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Law and amends the State Finance Act. Provides that the Lieutenant Governor, with the advice of the Broadband Deployment Council, shall enlist a nonprofit corporation to implement a comprehensive, statewide high speed Internet deployment strategy and adoption initiative. Specifies the duties of the nonprofit organization. Provides that nothing in the High Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Law shall be construed as giving the Lieutenant Governor, the Broadband Deployment Council, the nonprofit organization, or other entities any additional authority, regulatory or otherwise, over providers of telecommunications, broadband, and information technology. Creates the High Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Fund as a special fund in the State treasury, to be used, subject to appropriation, by the Lieutenant Governor for purposes of providing grants to the nonprofit organization enlisted under the Law. Provides that on the effective date of the Law, all moneys in the Digital Divide Elimination Infrastructure Fund which have not already been distributed or ordered distributed by the Illinois Commerce Commission shall be transferred to the High Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Fund. Contains other provisions concerning local governmental entities who undertake local broadband projects. Amends the Universal Telephone Service Protection Law of 1985 in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a telecommunications carrier that is not subject to regulation under an alternative regulation plan pursuant to specified provisions may reduce the rate or charge for a noncompetitive service, service element, feature, or functionality offered to customers on a separate, stand-alone basis or as part of a bundled service offering by filing with the Commission a tariff that shows the reduced rate or charge and all applicable terms and conditions of the noncompetitive service, service element, feature, or functionality or bundled offering. Provides that provisions concerning basic local exchange service quality and the consumer complaint resolution process do not apply to telephone cooperatives. Changes the repeal date of the Universal Telephone Service Protection Law of 1985 from July 1, 2007 to July 1, 2009.

Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the engrossed bill, with additions. Creates the Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007 as a new Article in the Public Utilities Act. Contains provisions concerning the eligibility for a person or entity seeking to provide cable service or video service in the State to (1) obtain a State-issued authorization; (2) obtain authorization pursuant to the Illinois Municipal Code; or (3) obtain authorization pursuant to the Counties Code. Contains provisions concerning the application process for a person or entity seeking to provide cable service or video service pursuant to the Law. Contains provisions concerning the requirements for public, education, and government access. Contains provisions concerning the emergency alert system. Contains provisions concerning the process for a local unit of government requiring the holder of a State-issued authorization to submit to audits. Contains provisions concerning the authority of a local unit of government. Contains provisions concerning the requirements to provide video services. Contains provisions concerning service and multiple-unit dwellings. Contains provisions concerning the enforcement of provisions of the Law, and the penalties for violating those provisions. Preempts home rule. Repeals the Law on October 1, 2013. That the Commission shall not allow any subsidy of Internet services, cable service, or video service by the rates or charges for specified services. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to provide that if any provision of the Act conflicts with provisions of Article XXI in the Public Utilities Act, the provisions of Article XXI control. Amends the Attorney General Act to include cable and video as part of the Consumer Utilities Unit. Creates the Cable and Video Customer Protection Law as a new Article in the Public Utilities Act. Contains provisions concerning customer service and privacy protection. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code and the Counties Code to add provisions concerning cable and video competition. Adds a State mandate exemption. Effective immediately.

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