Public Act 0020 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB1811 Enrolled LRB100 08000 SMS 18081 b

Public Act 100-0020

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 3. The Freedom of Information Act is amended by changing Section 7.5 as follows:

(5 ILCS 140/7.5)

Sec. 7.5. Statutory exemptions. To the extent provided for by the statutes referenced below, the following shall be exempt from inspection and copying:

(a) All information determined to be confidential under Section 4002 of the Technology Advancement and Development Act.

(b) Library circulation and order records identifying library users with specific materials under the Library Records Confidentiality Act.

(c) Applications, related documents, and medical records received by the Experimental Organ Transplantation Procedures Board and any and all documents or other records prepared by the Experimental Organ Transplantation Procedures Board or its staff relating to applications it has received.

(d) Information and records held by the Department of Public Health and its authorized representatives relating to known or suspected cases of sexually transmissible disease or any information the disclosure of which is restricted under the Illinois Sexually Transmissible Disease Control Act.

(e) Information the disclosure of which is exempted under Section 30 of the Radon Industry Licensing Act.

(f) Firm performance evaluations under Section 55 of the Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying Qualifications Based Selection Act.

(g) Information the disclosure of which is restricted and exempted under Section 50 of the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Act.

(h) Information the disclosure of which is exempted under the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, and records of any lawfully created State or local inspector general's office that would be exempt if created or obtained by an Executive Inspector General's office under that Act.

(i) Information contained in a local emergency energy plan submitted to a municipality in accordance with a local emergency energy plan ordinance that is adopted under Section 11-21.5-5 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

(j) Information and data concerning the distribution of surcharge moneys collected and remitted by wireless carriers under the Wireless Emergency Telephone System Safety Act.

(k) Law enforcement officer identification information or driver identification information compiled by a law enforcement agency or the Department of Transportation under Section 11-212 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

(l) Records and information provided to a residential health care facility resident sexual assault and death review team or the Executive Council under the Abuse Prevention Review Team Act.

(m) Information provided to the predatory lending database created pursuant to Article 3 of the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act, except to the extent authorized under that Article.

(n) Defense budgets and petitions for certification of compensation and expenses for court appointed trial counsel as provided under Sections 10 and 15 of the Capital Crimes Litigation Act. This subsection (n) shall apply until the conclusion of the trial of the case, even if the prosecution chooses not to pursue the death penalty prior to trial or sentencing.

(o) Information that is prohibited from being disclosed under Section 4 of the Illinois Health and Hazardous Substances Registry Act.

(p) Security portions of system safety program plans, investigation reports, surveys, schedules, lists, data, or information compiled, collected, or prepared by or for the Regional Transportation Authority under Section 2.11 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act or the St. Clair County Transit District under the Bi-State Transit Safety Act.

(q) Information prohibited from being disclosed by the Personnel Records Review Act.

(r) Information prohibited from being disclosed by the Illinois School Student Records Act.

(s) Information the disclosure of which is restricted under Section 5-108 of the Public Utilities Act.

(t) All identified or deidentified health information in the form of health data or medical records contained in, stored in, submitted to, transferred by, or released from the Illinois Health Information Exchange, and identified or deidentified health information in the form of health data and medical records of the Illinois Health Information Exchange in the possession of the Illinois Health Information Exchange Authority due to its administration of the Illinois Health Information Exchange. The terms "identified" and "deidentified" shall be given the same meaning as in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191, or any subsequent amendments thereto, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

(u) Records and information provided to an independent team of experts under Brian's Law.

(v) Names and information of people who have applied for or received Firearm Owner's Identification Cards under the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act or applied for or received a concealed carry license under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, unless otherwise authorized by the Firearm Concealed Carry Act; and databases under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, records of the Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, and law enforcement agency objections under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.

(w) Personally identifiable information which is exempted from disclosure under subsection (g) of Section 19.1 of the Toll Highway Act.

(x) Information which is exempted from disclosure under Section 5-1014.3 of the Counties Code or Section 8-11-21 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

(y) Confidential information under the Adult Protective Services Act and its predecessor enabling statute, the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act, including information about the identity and administrative finding against any caregiver of a verified and substantiated decision of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of an eligible adult maintained in the Registry established under Section 7.5 of the Adult Protective Services Act.

(z) Records and information provided to a fatality review team or the Illinois Fatality Review Team Advisory Council under Section 15 of the Adult Protective Services Act.

(aa) Information which is exempted from disclosure under Section 2.37 of the Wildlife Code.

(bb) Information which is or was prohibited from disclosure by the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(cc) Recordings made under the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act, except to the extent authorized under that Act.

(dd) Information that is prohibited from being disclosed under Section 45 of the Condominium and Common Interest Community Ombudsperson Act.

(ee) (dd) Information that is exempted from disclosure under Section 30.1 of the Pharmacy Practice Act.

(Source: P.A. 98-49, eff. 7-1-13; 98-63, eff. 7-9-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14; 98-1039, eff. 8-25-14; 98-1045, eff. 8-25-14; 99-78, eff. 7-20-15; 99-298, eff. 8-6-15; 99-352, eff. 1-1-16; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16; 99-776, eff. 8-12-16; 99-863, eff. 8-19-16; revised 9-1-16.)

Section 5. The Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Sections 2605-52 and 2605-475 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2605/2605-52)

Sec. 2605-52. Office of the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator.

(a) There shall be established an Office of the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator within the Department. Beginning January 1, 2016, the Office of the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator shall be responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing a uniform statewide 9-1-1 system for all areas of the State outside of municipalities having a population over 500,000.

(b) The Governor shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, a Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator. The Administrator shall serve for a term of 2 years, and until a successor is appointed and qualified; except that the term of the first 9-1-1 Administrator appointed under this Act shall expire on the third Monday in January, 2017. The Administrator shall not hold any other remunerative public office. The Administrator shall receive an annual salary as set by the Governor.

(c) The Department, from appropriations made to it for that purpose, shall make grants to 9-1-1 Authorities for the purpose of defraying costs associated with 9-1-1 system consolidations awarded by the Administrator under Section 15.4b of the Emergency Telephone System Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 6-29-15.)

(20 ILCS 2605/2605-475) (was 20 ILCS 2605/55a in part)

Sec. 2605-475. Wireless Emergency Telephone System Safety Act. The Department and Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator shall To exercise the powers and perform the duties specifically assigned to each the Department under the Wireless Emergency Telephone System Safety Act with respect to the development and improvement of emergency communications procedures and facilities in such a manner as to facilitate a quick response to any person calling the number "9-1-1" seeking police, fire, medical, or other emergency services through a wireless carrier as defined in Section 10 of the Wireless Emergency Telephone Safety Act. Nothing in the Wireless Emergency Telephone System Safety Act shall require the Department of Illinois State Police to provide wireless enhanced 9-1-1 services.

(Source: P.A. 91-660, eff. 12-22-99; 92-16, eff. 6-28-01.)

Section 10. The State Finance Act is amended by changing Section 8.37 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/8.37)

Sec. 8.37. State Police Wireless Service Emergency Fund.

(a) The State Police Wireless Service Emergency Fund is created as a special fund in the State Treasury.

(b) Grants or surcharge funds allocated to the Department of State Police from the Statewide 9-1-1 Wireless Service Emergency Fund shall be deposited into the State Police Wireless Service Emergency Fund and shall be used in accordance with Section 30 20 of the Wireless Emergency Telephone System Safety Act.

(c) On July 1, 1999, the State Comptroller and State Treasurer shall transfer $1,300,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the State Police Wireless Service Emergency Fund. On June 30, 2003 the State Comptroller and State Treasurer shall transfer $1,300,000 from the State Police Wireless Service Emergency Fund to the General Revenue Fund.

(Source: P.A. 91-660, eff. 12-22-99; 92-16, eff. 6-28-01.)

Section 15. The Emergency Telephone System Act is reenacted and is amended by changing Sections 2, 8, 10, 10.3, 12, 14, 15.2a, 15.3, 15.3a, 15.4, 15.4a, 15.6a, 19, 20, 30, 35, 40, 55, and 99 and by adding Sections 17.5 and 80 as follows:

(50 ILCS 750/Act title)

An Act in relation to the designation of an emergency telephone number for use throughout the State.

(50 ILCS 750/0.01) (from Ch. 134, par. 30.01)

Sec. 0.01. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Emergency Telephone System Act".

(Source: P.A. 85-978.)

(50 ILCS 750/1) (from Ch. 134, par. 31)

Sec. 1. The General Assembly finds and declares that it is in the public interest to shorten the time required for a citizen to request and receive emergency aid. There currently exist thousands of different emergency phone numbers throughout the state, and present telephone exchange boundaries and central office service areas do not necessarily correspond to public safety and political boundaries. Provision of a single, primary three-digit emergency number through which emergency services can be quickly and efficiently obtained would provide a significant contribution to law enforcement and other public service efforts by making it less difficult to quickly notify public safety personnel. Such a simplified means of procuring emergency services will result in the saving of life, a reduction in the destruction of property, quicker apprehension of criminals, and ultimately the saving of money. The General Assembly further finds and declares that the establishment of a uniform, statewide emergency number is a matter of statewide concern and interest to all inhabitants and citizens of this State. It is the purpose of this Act to establish the number "9-1-1" as the primary emergency telephone number for use in this State and to encourage units of local government and combinations of such units to develop and improve emergency communication procedures and facilities in such a manner as to be able to quickly respond to any person calling the telephone number "9-1-1" seeking police, fire, medical, rescue, and other emergency services.

(Source: P.A. 85-978.)

(50 ILCS 750/2) (from Ch. 134, par. 32)

Sec. 2. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

"9-1-1 network" means the network used for the delivery of 9-1-1 calls and messages over dedicated and redundant facilities to a primary or backup 9-1-1 PSAP that meets P.01 grade of service standards for basic 9-1-1 and enhanced 9-1-1 services or meets national I3 industry call delivery standards for Next Generation 9-1-1 services.

"9-1-1 system" means the geographic area that has been granted an order of authority by the Commission or the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator to use "9-1-1" as the primary emergency telephone number.

"9-1-1 Authority" includes an Emergency Telephone System Board, Joint Emergency Telephone System Board, and a qualified governmental entity. "9-1-1 Authority" includes the Department of State Police only to the extent it provides 9-1-1 services under this Act.

"Administrator" means the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator.

"Advanced service" means any telecommunications service with or without dynamic bandwidth allocation, including, but not limited to, ISDN Primary Rate Interface (PRI), that, through the use of a DS-1, T-1, or other similar un-channelized or multi-channel transmission facility, is capable of transporting either the subscriber's inter-premises voice telecommunications services to the public switched network or the subscriber's 9-1-1 calls to the public agency.

"ALI" or "automatic location identification" means, in an E9-1-1 system, the automatic display at the public safety answering point of the caller's telephone number, the address or location of the telephone, and supplementary emergency services information.

"ANI" or "automatic number identification" means the automatic display of the 9-1-1 calling party's number on the PSAP monitor.

"Automatic alarm" and "automatic alerting device" mean any device that will access the 9-1-1 system for emergency services upon activation.

"Backup PSAP" means a public safety answering point that serves as an alternate to the PSAP for enhanced systems and is at a different location and operates independently from the PSAP. A backup PSAP may accept overflow calls from the PSAP or be activated if the primary PSAP is disabled.

"Board" means an Emergency Telephone System Board or a Joint Emergency Telephone System Board created pursuant to Section 15.4.

"Carrier" includes a telecommunications carrier and a wireless carrier.

"Commission" means the Illinois Commerce Commission.

"Computer aided dispatch" or "CAD" means a computer-based system that aids PSAP telecommunicators by automating selected dispatching and recordkeeping activities database maintained by the public safety agency or public safety answering point used in conjunction with 9-1-1 caller data.

"Direct dispatch method" means a 9-1-1 service that provides for the direct dispatch by a PSAP telecommunicator of the appropriate unit upon receipt of an emergency call and the decision as to the proper action to be taken.

"Department" means the Department of State Police.

"DS-1, T-1, or similar un-channelized or multi-channel transmission facility" means a facility that can transmit and receive a bit rate of at least 1.544 megabits per second (Mbps).

"Dynamic bandwidth allocation" means the ability of the facility or customer to drop and add channels, or adjust bandwidth, when needed in real time for voice or data purposes.

"Enhanced 9-1-1" or "E9-1-1" means a an emergency telephone system that includes dedicated network switching, database and PSAP premise elements capable of providing automatic location identification data, selective routing, database, ALI, ANI, selective transfer, fixed transfer, and a call back number, including any enhanced 9-1-1 service so designated by the Federal Communications Commission in its report and order in WC Dockets Nos. 04-36 and 05-196, or any successor proceeding.

"ETSB" means an emergency telephone system board appointed by the corporate authorities of any county or municipality that provides for the management and operation of a 9-1-1 system.

"Hearing-impaired individual" means a person with a permanent hearing loss who can regularly and routinely communicate by telephone only through the aid of devices which can send and receive written messages over the telephone network.

"Hosted supplemental 9-1-1 service" means a database service that:

(1) electronically provides information to 9-1-1 call takers when a call is placed to 9-1-1;

(2) allows telephone subscribers to provide information to 9-1-1 to be used in emergency scenarios;

(3) collects a variety of formatted data relevant to 9-1-1 and first responder needs, which may include, but is not limited to, photographs of the telephone subscribers, physical descriptions, medical information, household data, and emergency contacts;

(4) allows for information to be entered by telephone subscribers through a secure website where they can elect to provide as little or as much information as they choose;

(5) automatically displays data provided by telephone subscribers to 9-1-1 call takers for all types of telephones when a call is placed to 9-1-1 from a registered and confirmed phone number;

(6) supports the delivery of telephone subscriber information through a secure internet connection to all emergency telephone system boards;

(7) works across all 9-1-1 call taking equipment and allows for the easy transfer of information into a computer aided dispatch system; and

(8) may be used to collect information pursuant to an Illinois Premise Alert Program as defined in the Illinois Premise Alert Program (PAP) Act.

"Interconnected voice over Internet protocol provider" or "Interconnected VoIP provider" has the meaning given to that term under Section 13-235 of the Public Utilities Act.

"Joint ETSB" means a Joint Emergency Telephone System Board established by intergovernmental agreement of two or more municipalities or counties, or a combination thereof, to provide for the management and operation of a 9-1-1 system.

"Local public agency" means any unit of local government or special purpose district located in whole or in part within this State that provides or has authority to provide firefighting, police, ambulance, medical, or other emergency services.

"Mechanical dialer" means any device that either manually or remotely triggers a dialing device to access the 9-1-1 system.

"Master Street Address Guide" or "MSAG" is a database of street names and house ranges within their associated communities defining emergency service zones (ESZs) and their associated emergency service numbers (ESNs) to enable proper routing of 9-1-1 calls means the computerized geographical database that consists of all street and address data within a 9-1-1 system.

"Mobile telephone number" or "MTN" means the telephone number assigned to a wireless telephone at the time of initial activation.

"Network connections" means the number of voice grade communications channels directly between a subscriber and a telecommunications carrier's public switched network, without the intervention of any other telecommunications carrier's switched network, which would be required to carry the subscriber's inter-premises traffic and which connection either (1) is capable of providing access through the public switched network to a 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone System, if one exists, or (2) if no system exists at the time a surcharge is imposed under Section 15.3, that would be capable of providing access through the public switched network to the local 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone System if one existed. Where multiple voice grade communications channels are connected to a telecommunications carrier's public switched network through a private branch exchange (PBX) service, there shall be determined to be one network connection for each trunk line capable of transporting either the subscriber's inter-premises traffic to the public switched network or the subscriber's 9-1-1 calls to the public agency. Where multiple voice grade communications channels are connected to a telecommunications carrier's public switched network through centrex type service, the number of network connections shall be equal to the number of PBX trunk equivalents for the subscriber's service or other multiple voice grade communication channels facility, as determined by reference to any generally applicable exchange access service tariff filed by the subscriber's telecommunications carrier with the Commission.

"Network costs" means those recurring costs that directly relate to the operation of the 9-1-1 network as determined by the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator with the advice of the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board, which may include including, but need not be limited to, some or all of the following: costs for interoffice trunks, selective routing charges, transfer lines and toll charges for 9-1-1 services, Automatic Location Information (ALI) database charges, call box trunk circuit (including central office only and not including extensions to fire stations), independent local exchange carrier charges and non-system provider charges, carrier charges for third party database for on-site customer premises equipment, back-up PSAP trunks for non-system providers, periodic database updates as provided by carrier (also known as "ALI data dump"), regional ALI storage charges, circuits for call delivery (fiber or circuit connection), NG9-1-1 costs, and all associated fees, taxes, and surcharges on each invoice. "Network costs" shall not include radio circuits or toll charges that are other than for 9-1-1 services.

"Next generation 9-1-1" or "NG9-1-1" means an Internet Protocol-based (IP-based) system comprised of managed ESInets, functional elements and applications, and databases that replicate traditional E9-1-1 features and functions and provide additional capabilities. "NG9-1-1" systems are designed to provide access to emergency services from all connected communications sources, and provide multimedia data capabilities for PSAPs and other emergency services organizations.

"NG9-1-1 costs" means those recurring costs that directly relate to the Next Generation 9-1-1 service as determined by the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board, including, but not limited to, costs for Emergency System Routing Proxy (ESRP), Emergency Call Routing Function/Location Validation Function (ECRF/LVF), Spatial Information Function (SIF), the Border Control Function (BCF), and the Emergency Services Internet Protocol networks (ESInets), legacy network gateways, and all associated fees, taxes, and surcharges on each invoice.

"Private branch exchange" or "PBX" means a private telephone system and associated equipment located on the user's property that provides communications between internal stations and external networks.

"Private business switch service" means a telecommunications service including centrex type service and PBX service, even though key telephone systems or equivalent telephone systems registered with the Federal Communications Commission under 47 C.F.R. Part 68 are directly connected to centrex type and PBX systems providing 9-1-1 services equipped for switched local network connections or 9-1-1 system access to business end users through a private telephone switch.

"Private business switch service" means network and premises based systems including a VoIP, Centrex type service, or PBX service, even though does not include key telephone systems or equivalent telephone systems registered with the Federal Communications Commission under 47 C.F.R. Part 68 are directly connected to Centrex when not used in conjunction with centrex type and PBX systems. "Private business switch service" does not include key telephone systems or equivalent telephone systems registered with the Federal Communications Commission under 47 C.F.R. Part 68 when not used in conjunction with a VoIP, Centrex type, or PBX systems. "Private business switch service" typically includes, but is not limited to, private businesses, corporations, and industries where the telecommunications service is primarily for conducting business.

"Private residential switch service" means network and premise based systems a telecommunications service including a VoIP, Centrex centrex type service, or and PBX service or , even though key telephone systems or equivalent telephone systems registered with the Federal Communications Commission under 47 C.F.R. Part 68 that are directly connected to a VoIP, Centrex centrex type service, or and PBX systems providing 9-1-1 services equipped for switched local network connections or 9-1-1 system access to residential end users through a private telephone switch. "Private residential switch service" does not include key telephone systems or equivalent telephone systems registered with the Federal Communications Commission under 47 C.F.R. Part 68 when not used in conjunction with a VoIP, Centrex centrex type, or and PBX systems. "Private residential switch service" typically includes, but is not limited to, apartment complexes, condominiums, and campus or university environments where shared tenant service is provided and where the usage of the telecommunications service is primarily residential.

"Public agency" means the State, and any unit of local government or special purpose district located in whole or in part within this State, that provides or has authority to provide firefighting, police, ambulance, medical, or other emergency services.

"Public safety agency" means a functional division of a public agency that provides firefighting, police, medical, or other emergency services to respond to and manage emergency incidents. For the purpose of providing wireless service to users of 9-1-1 emergency services, as expressly provided for in this Act, the Department of State Police may be considered a public safety agency.

"Public safety answering point" or "PSAP" is a set of call-takers authorized by a governing body and operating under common management that receive 9-1-1 calls and asynchronous event notifications for a defined geographic area and processes those calls and events according to a specified operational policy means the initial answering location of an emergency call.

"Qualified governmental entity" means a unit of local government authorized to provide 9-1-1 services pursuant to this Act where no emergency telephone system board exists.

"Referral method" means a 9-1-1 service in which the PSAP telecommunicator provides the calling party with the telephone number of the appropriate public safety agency or other provider of emergency services.

"Regular service" means any telecommunications service, other than advanced service, that is capable of transporting either the subscriber's inter-premises voice telecommunications services to the public switched network or the subscriber's 9-1-1 calls to the public agency.

"Relay method" means a 9-1-1 service in which the PSAP telecommunicator takes the pertinent information from a caller and relays that information to the appropriate public safety agency or other provider of emergency services.

"Remit period" means the billing period, one month in duration, for which a wireless carrier remits a surcharge and provides subscriber information by zip code to the Department, in accordance with Section 20 of this Act.

"Secondary Answering Point" or "SAP" means a location, other than a PSAP, that is able to receive the voice, data, and call back number of E9-1-1 or NG9-1-1 emergency calls transferred from a PSAP and completes the call taking process by dispatching police, medical, fire, or other emergency responders.

"Statewide wireless emergency 9-1-1 system" means all areas of the State where an emergency telephone system board or, in the absence of an emergency telephone system board, a qualified governmental entity, has not declared its intention for one or more of its public safety answering points to serve as a primary wireless 9-1-1 public safety answering point for its jurisdiction. The operator of the statewide wireless emergency 9-1-1 system shall be the Department of State Police.

"System" means the communications equipment and related software applications required to produce a response by the appropriate emergency public safety agency or other provider of emergency services as a result of an emergency call being placed to 9-1-1.

"System provider" means the contracted entity providing 9-1-1 network and database services.

"Telecommunications carrier" means those entities included within the definition specified in Section 13-202 of the Public Utilities Act, and includes those carriers acting as resellers of telecommunications services. "Telecommunications carrier" includes telephone systems operating as mutual concerns. "Telecommunications carrier" does not include a wireless carrier.

"Telecommunications technology" means equipment that can send and receive written messages over the telephone network.

"Transfer method" means a 9-1-1 service in which the PSAP telecommunicator receiving a call transfers that call to the appropriate public safety agency or other provider of emergency services.

"Transmitting messages" shall have the meaning given to that term under Section 8-11-2 of the Illinois Municipal Code.

"Trunk line" means a transmission path, or group of transmission paths, connecting a subscriber's PBX to a telecommunications carrier's public switched network. In the case of regular service, each voice grade communications channel or equivalent amount of bandwidth capable of transporting either the subscriber's inter-premises voice telecommunications services to the public switched network or the subscriber's 9-1-1 calls to the public agency shall be considered a trunk line, even if it is bundled with other channels or additional bandwidth. In the case of advanced service, each DS-1, T-1, or other similar un-channelized or multi-channel transmission facility that is capable of transporting either the subscriber's inter-premises voice telecommunications services to the public switched network or the subscriber's 9-1-1 calls to the public agency shall be considered a single trunk line, even if it contains multiple voice grade communications channels or otherwise supports 2 or more voice grade calls at a time; provided, however, that each additional increment of up to 24 voice grade channels 1.544 Mbps of transmission capacity that is capable of transporting either the subscriber's inter-premises voice telecommunications services to the public switched network or the subscriber's 9-1-1 calls to the public agency shall be considered an additional trunk line.

"Unmanned backup PSAP" means a public safety answering point that serves as an alternate to the PSAP at an alternate location and is typically unmanned but can be activated if the primary PSAP is disabled.

"Virtual answering point" or "VAP" means a temporary or nonpermanent location that is capable of receiving an emergency call, contains a fully functional worksite that is not bound to a specific location, but rather is portable and scalable, connecting emergency call takers or dispatchers to the work process, and is capable of completing the call dispatching process.

"Voice-impaired individual" means a person with a permanent speech disability which precludes oral communication, who can regularly and routinely communicate by telephone only through the aid of devices which can send and receive written messages over the telephone network.

"Wireless carrier" means a provider of two-way cellular, broadband PCS, geographic area 800 MHZ and 900 MHZ Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS), Wireless Communications Service (WCS), or other Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS), as defined by the Federal Communications Commission, offering radio communications that may provide fixed, mobile, radio location, or satellite communication services to individuals or businesses within its assigned spectrum block and geographical area or that offers real-time, two-way voice service that is interconnected with the public switched network, including a reseller of such service.

"Wireless enhanced 9-1-1" means the ability to relay the telephone number of the originator of a 9-1-1 call and location information from any mobile handset or text telephone device accessing the wireless system to the designated wireless public safety answering point as set forth in the order of the Federal Communications Commission, FCC Docket No. 94-102, adopted June 12, 1996, with an effective date of October 1, 1996, and any subsequent amendment thereto.

"Wireless public safety answering point" means the functional division of a 9-1-1 authority accepting wireless 9-1-1 calls.

"Wireless subscriber" means an individual or entity to whom a wireless service account or number has been assigned by a wireless carrier, other than an account or number associated with prepaid wireless telecommunication service.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/3) (from Ch. 134, par. 33)

Sec. 3. (a) By July 1, 2017, every local public agency shall be within the jurisdiction of a 9-1-1 system.

(b) By July 1, 2020, every 9-1-1 system in Illinois shall provide Next Generation 9-1-1 service.

(c) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit or discourage in any way the formation of multijurisdictional or regional systems, and any system established pursuant to this Act may include the territory of more than one public agency or may include a segment of the territory of a public agency.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/4) (from Ch. 134, par. 34)

Sec. 4. Every system shall include police, firefighting, and emergency medical and ambulance services, and may include other emergency services. The system may incorporate private ambulance service. In those areas in which a public safety agency of the State provides such emergency services, the system shall include such public safety agencies.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/5) (from Ch. 134, par. 35)

Sec. 5. The digits "9-1-1" shall be the primary emergency telephone number within the system, but a public agency or public safety agency shall maintain a separate secondary seven digit emergency backup number for at least six months after the "9-1-1" system is established and in operation, and shall maintain a separate number for nonemergency telephone calls.

(Source: P.A. 85-978.)

(50 ILCS 750/6) (from Ch. 134, par. 36)

Sec. 6. Capabilities of system; pay telephones. All systems shall be designed to meet the specific requirements of each community and public agency served by the system. Every system shall be designed to have the capability of utilizing the direct dispatch method, relay method, transfer method, or referral method in response to emergency calls. The General Assembly finds and declares that the most critical aspect of the design of any system is the procedure established for handling a telephone request for emergency services.

In addition, to maximize efficiency and utilization of the system, all pay telephones within each system shall enable a caller to dial "9-1-1" for emergency services without the necessity of inserting a coin. This paragraph does not apply to pay telephones located in penal institutions, as defined in Section 2-14 of the Criminal Code of 2012, that have been designated for the exclusive use of committed persons.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/6.1) (from Ch. 134, par. 36.1)

Sec. 6.1. Every 9-1-1 system shall be readily accessible to hearing-impaired and voice-impaired individuals through the use of telecommunications technology for hearing-impaired and speech-impaired individuals.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/7) (from Ch. 134, par. 37)

Sec. 7. The General Assembly finds that, because of overlapping jurisdiction of public agencies, public safety agencies and telephone service areas, the Administrator, with the advice and recommendation of the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board, shall establish a general overview or plan to effectuate the purposes of this Act within the time frame provided in this Act. In order to insure that proper preparation and implementation of emergency telephone systems are accomplished by all public agencies as required under this Act, the Department, with the advice and assistance of the Attorney General, shall secure compliance by public agencies as provided in this Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/8) (from Ch. 134, par. 38)

Sec. 8. The Administrator, with the advice and recommendation of the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board, shall coordinate the implementation of systems established under this Act. To assist with this coordination, all systems authorized to operate under this Act shall register with the Administrator information regarding its composition and organization, including, but not limited to, identification of all PSAPs, SAPs, VAPs, Backup PSAPs, and Unmanned Backup PSAPs. The Department may adopt rules for the administration of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/10) (from Ch. 134, par. 40)

Sec. 10. (a) The Administrator, with the advice and recommendation of the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board, shall establish uniform technical and operational standards for all 9-1-1 systems in Illinois. All findings, orders, decisions, rules, and regulations issued or promulgated by the Commission under this Act or any other Act establishing or conferring power on the Commission with respect to emergency telecommunications services, shall continue in force. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, where applicable, the Administrator shall, with the advice and recommendation of the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board, amend the Commission's findings, orders, decisions, rules, and regulations to conform to the specific provisions of this Act as soon as practicable after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly.

(b) The Department may adopt emergency rules necessary to implement the provisions of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly under subsection (t) of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(c) Nothing in this Act shall deprive the Commission of any authority to regulate the provision by telecommunication carriers or 9-1-1 system service providers of telecommunication or other services under the Public Utilities Act.

(d) For rules that implicate both the regulation of 9-1-1 authorities under this Act and the regulation of telecommunication carriers and 9-1-1 system service providers under the Public Utilities Act, the Department and the Commission may adopt joint rules necessary for implementation.

(e) Any findings, orders, or decisions of the Administrator under this Section shall be deemed a final administrative decision and shall be subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review Law.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/10.1) (from Ch. 134, par. 40.1)

Sec. 10.1. Confidentiality.

(a) 9-1-1 information consisting of names, addresses and telephone numbers of telephone customers whose listings are not published in directories or listed in Directory Assistance Offices is confidential. Except as provided in subsection (b), information shall be provided on a call-by-call basis only for the purpose of responding to emergency calls. For the purposes of this subsection (a), "emergency" means a situation in which property or human life is in jeopardy and the prompt notification of the public safety agency is essential.

(b) 9-1-1 information, including information described in subsection (a), may be used by a public safety agency for the purpose of placing out-going emergency calls.

(c) Nothing in this Section prohibits a municipality with a population of more than 500,000 from using 9-1-1 information, including information described in subsection (a), for the purpose of responding to calls made to a non-emergency telephone system that is under the supervision and control of a public safety agency and that shares all or some facilities with an emergency telephone system.

(d) Any public safety agency that uses 9-1-1 information for the purposes of subsection (b) must establish methods and procedures that ensure the confidentiality of information as required by subsection (a).

(e) Divulging confidential information in violation of this Section is a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 92-383, eff. 1-1-02.)

(50 ILCS 750/10.2) (from Ch. 134, par. 40.2)

Sec. 10.2. The Emergency Telephone System Board and the Chairman of the County Board in any county implementing a 9-1-1 system shall ensure that all areas of the county are included in the system.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/10.3)

Sec. 10.3. Notice of address change. The Emergency Telephone System Board or qualified governmental entity in any county implementing a 9-1-1 system that changes any person's address (when the person whose address has changed has not moved to a new residence) shall notify the person (i) of the person's new address and (ii) that the person should contact the local election authority to determine if the person should re-register to vote.

(Source: P.A. 90-664, eff. 7-30-98.)

(50 ILCS 750/11) (from Ch. 134, par. 41)

Sec. 11. All local public agencies operating a 9-1-1 system shall operate under a plan that has been filed with and approved by the Commission prior to January 1, 2016, or the Administrator. Plans filed under this Section shall conform to minimum standards established pursuant to Section 10.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/12) (from Ch. 134, par. 42)

Sec. 12. The Attorney General may, on in behalf of the Department or on his own initiative, commence judicial proceedings to enforce compliance by any public agency or public utility providing telephone service with this Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/14) (from Ch. 134, par. 44)

Sec. 14. The General Assembly declares that a major purpose of in enacting this Act is to ensure that 9-1-1 systems have redundant methods of dispatch for: (1) each public safety agency within its jurisdiction, herein known as participating agencies; and (2) 9-1-1 systems whose jurisdictional boundaries are contiguous, herein known as adjacent 9-1-1 systems, when an emergency request for service is received for a public safety agency that needs to be dispatched by the adjacent 9-1-1 system. Another primary purpose of this Section is to eliminate instances in which a public safety agency responding emergency service refuses, once dispatched, to render aid to the requester because the requester is outside of the jurisdictional boundaries of the public safety agency emergency service. Therefore, in implementing a 9-1-1 system systems under this Act, all 9-1-1 authorities public agencies in a single system shall enter into call handling and aid outside jurisdictional boundaries agreements with each participating agency and adjacent 9-1-1 system a joint powers agreement or any other form of written cooperative agreement which is applicable when need arises on a day-to-day basis. Certified notification of the continuation of such agreements shall be made among the involved parties on an annual basis. In addition, such agreements shall be entered into between public agencies and public safety agencies which are part of different systems but whose jurisdictional boundaries are contiguous. The agreements shall provide a primary and secondary means of dispatch. It must also provide that, once an emergency unit is dispatched in response to a request through the system, such unit shall render its services to the requesting party without regard to whether the unit is operating outside its normal jurisdictional boundaries. Certified notification of the continuation of call handling and aid outside jurisdictional boundaries agreements shall be made among the involved parties on an annual basis.

(Source: P.A. 86-101.)

(50 ILCS 750/15) (from Ch. 134, par. 45)

Sec. 15. Copies of the annual certified notification of continuing agreement required by Section 14 shall be filed with the Attorney General and the Administrator. All such agreements shall be so filed prior to the 31st day of January. The Attorney General shall commence judicial proceedings to enforce compliance with this Section and Section 14, where a public agency or public safety agency has failed to timely enter into such agreement or file copies thereof.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.1) (from Ch. 134, par. 45.1)

Sec. 15.1. Public body; exemption from civil liability for developing or operating emergency telephone system.

(a) In no event shall a public agency, the Commission, the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board, the Administrator, the Department of State Police, public safety agency, public safety answering point, emergency telephone system board, or unit of local government assuming the duties of an emergency telephone system board, or carrier, or its officers, employees, assigns, or agents be liable for any civil damages or criminal liability that directly or indirectly results from, or is caused by, any act or omission in the development, design, installation, operation, maintenance, performance, or provision of 9-1-1 service required by this Act, unless the act or omission constitutes gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.

A unit of local government, the Commission, the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board, the Administrator, the Department of State Police, public safety agency, public safety answering point, emergency telephone system board, or carrier, or its officers, employees, assigns, or agents, shall not be liable for any form of civil damages or criminal liability that directly or indirectly results from, or is caused by, the release of subscriber information to any governmental entity as required under the provisions of this Act, unless the release constitutes gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.

(b) Exemption from civil liability for emergency instructions is as provided in the Good Samaritan Act.

(c) This Section may not be offered as a defense in any judicial proceeding brought by the Attorney General under Section 12 to compel compliance with this Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.2) (from Ch. 134, par. 45.2)

Sec. 15.2. Any person calling the number "911" for the purpose of making a false alarm or complaint and reporting false information is subject to the provisions of Section 26-1 of the Criminal Code of 2012.

(Source: P.A. 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.2a) (from Ch. 134, par. 45.2a)

Sec. 15.2a. The installation of or connection to a telephone company's network of any automatic alarm, automatic alerting device, or mechanical dialer that causes the number 9-1-1 to be dialed in order to directly access emergency services is prohibited in a 9-1-1 system.

This Section does not apply to a person who connects to a 9-1-1 network using automatic crash notification technology subject to an established protocol.

This Section does not apply to devices used to enable access to the 9-1-1 system for cognitively-impaired or special needs persons or for persons with disabilities in an emergency situation reported by a caregiver after initiating a missing person's report. The device must have the capability to be activated and controlled remotely by trained personnel at a service center to prevent falsely activated or repeated calls to the 9-1-1 system in a single incident. The device must have the technical capability to generate location information to the 9-1-1 system. Under no circumstances shall a device be sold for use in a geographical jurisdiction where the 9-1-1 system has not deployed wireless phase II location technology. The alerting device shall also provide for either 2-way communication or send a pre-recorded message to a 9-1-1 provider explaining the nature of the emergency so that the 9-1-1 provider will be able to dispatch the appropriate emergency responder.

Violation of this Section is a Class A misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation of this Section is a Class 4 felony.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.2b)

Sec. 15.2b. Emergency telephone number; advertising. No person or private entity may advertise or otherwise publicize the availability of services provided by a specific provider and indicate that a consumer should obtain access to services provided by a specific provider by use of the emergency telephone number (9-1-1).

(Source: P.A. 88-497.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.2c)

Sec. 15.2c. Call boxes. No carrier shall be required to provide a call box. For purposes of this Section, the term "call box" means a device that is normally mounted to an outside wall of the serving telecommunications carrier central office and designed to provide emergency on-site answering by authorized personnel at the central office location in the event a central office is isolated from the 9-1-1 network.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.3) (from Ch. 134, par. 45.3)

Sec. 15.3. Local non-wireless surcharge.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (l) of this Section, the corporate authorities of any municipality or any county may, subject to the limitations of subsections (c), (d), and (h), and in addition to any tax levied pursuant to the Simplified Municipal Telecommunications Tax Act, impose a monthly surcharge on billed subscribers of network connection provided by telecommunication carriers engaged in the business of transmitting messages by means of electricity originating within the corporate limits of the municipality or county imposing the surcharge at a rate per network connection determined in accordance with subsection (c), however the monthly surcharge shall not apply to a network connection provided for use with pay telephone services. Provided, however, that where multiple voice grade communications channels are connected between the subscriber's premises and a public switched network through private branch exchange (PBX) or centrex type service, a municipality imposing a surcharge at a rate per network connection, as determined in accordance with this Act, shall impose:

(i) in a municipality with a population of 500,000 or less or in any county, 5 such surcharges per network connection, as defined under Section 2 determined in accordance with subsections (a) and (d) of Section 2.12 of this Act, for both regular service and advanced service provisioned trunk lines;

(ii) in a municipality with a population, prior to March 1, 2010, of 500,000 or more, 5 surcharges per network connection, as defined under Section 2 determined in accordance with subsections (a) and (d) of Section 2.12 of this Act, for both regular service and advanced service provisioned trunk lines;

(iii) in a municipality with a population, as of March 1, 2010, of 500,000 or more, 5 surcharges per network connection, as defined under Section 2 determined in accordance with subsections (a) and (d) of Section 2.12 of this Act, for regular service provisioned trunk lines, and 12 surcharges per network connection, as defined under Section 2 determined in accordance with subsections (a) and (d) of Section 2.12 of this Act, for advanced service provisioned trunk lines, except where an advanced service provisioned trunk line supports at least 2 but fewer than 23 simultaneous voice grade calls ("VGC's"), a telecommunication carrier may elect to impose fewer than 12 surcharges per trunk line as provided in subsection (iv) of this Section; or

(iv) for an advanced service provisioned trunk line connected between the subscriber's premises and the public switched network through a P.B.X., where the advanced service provisioned trunk line is capable of transporting at least 2 but fewer than 23 simultaneous VGC's per trunk line, the telecommunications carrier collecting the surcharge may elect to impose surcharges in accordance with the table provided in this Section, without limiting any telecommunications carrier's obligations to otherwise keep and maintain records. Any telecommunications carrier electing to impose fewer than 12 surcharges per an advanced service provisioned trunk line shall keep and maintain records adequately to demonstrate the VGC capability of each advanced service provisioned trunk line with fewer than 12 surcharges imposed, provided that 12 surcharges shall be imposed on an advanced service provisioned trunk line regardless of the VGC capability where a telecommunications carrier cannot demonstrate the VGC capability of the advanced service provisioned trunk line.

Subsections (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) are not intended to make any change in the meaning of this Section, but are intended to remove possible ambiguity, thereby confirming the intent of paragraph (a) as it existed prior to and following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly.

For mobile telecommunications services, if a surcharge is imposed it shall be imposed based upon the municipality or county that encompasses the customer's place of primary use as defined in the Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing Conformity Act. A municipality may enter into an intergovernmental agreement with any county in which it is partially located, when the county has adopted an ordinance to impose a surcharge as provided in subsection (c), to include that portion of the municipality lying outside the county in that county's surcharge referendum. If the county's surcharge referendum is approved, the portion of the municipality identified in the intergovernmental agreement shall automatically be disconnected from the county in which it lies and connected to the county which approved the referendum for purposes of a surcharge on telecommunications carriers.

(b) For purposes of computing the surcharge imposed by subsection (a), the network connections to which the surcharge shall apply shall be those in-service network connections, other than those network connections assigned to the municipality or county, where the service address for each such network connection or connections is located within the corporate limits of the municipality or county levying the surcharge. Except for mobile telecommunication services, the "service address" shall mean the location of the primary use of the network connection or connections. For mobile telecommunication services, "service address" means the customer's place of primary use as defined in the Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing Conformity Act.

(c) Upon the passage of an ordinance to impose a surcharge under this Section the clerk of the municipality or county shall certify the question of whether the surcharge may be imposed to the proper election authority who shall submit the public question to the electors of the municipality or county in accordance with the general election law; provided that such question shall not be submitted at a consolidated primary election. The public question shall be in substantially the following form:

-------------------------------------------------------------

Shall the county (or city, village or incorporated town) of ..... impose YES a surcharge of up to ...¢ per month per network connection, which surcharge will be added to the monthly bill you receive ------------------

for telephone or telecommunications charges, for the purpose of installing (or improving) a 9-1-1 Emergency NO Telephone System?

-------------------------------------------------------------

If a majority of the votes cast upon the public question are in favor thereof, the surcharge shall be imposed.

However, if a Joint Emergency Telephone System Board is to be created pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement under Section 15.4, the ordinance to impose the surcharge shall be subject to the approval of a majority of the total number of votes cast upon the public question by the electors of all of the municipalities or counties, or combination thereof, that are parties to the intergovernmental agreement.

The referendum requirement of this subsection (c) shall not apply to any municipality with a population over 500,000 or to any county in which a proposition as to whether a sophisticated 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone System should be installed in the county, at a cost not to exceed a specified monthly amount per network connection, has previously been approved by a majority of the electors of the county voting on the proposition at an election conducted before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1987.

(d) A county may not impose a surcharge, unless requested by a municipality, in any incorporated area which has previously approved a surcharge as provided in subsection (c) or in any incorporated area where the corporate authorities of the municipality have previously entered into a binding contract or letter of intent with a telecommunications carrier to provide sophisticated 9-1-1 service through municipal funds.

(e) A municipality or county may at any time by ordinance change the rate of the surcharge imposed under this Section if the new rate does not exceed the rate specified in the referendum held pursuant to subsection (c).

(f) The surcharge authorized by this Section shall be collected from the subscriber by the telecommunications carrier providing the subscriber the network connection as a separately stated item on the subscriber's bill.

(g) The amount of surcharge collected by the telecommunications carrier shall be paid to the particular municipality or county or Joint Emergency Telephone System Board not later than 30 days after the surcharge is collected, net of any network or other 9-1-1 or sophisticated 9-1-1 system charges then due the particular telecommunications carrier, as shown on an itemized bill. The telecommunications carrier collecting the surcharge shall also be entitled to deduct 3% of the gross amount of surcharge collected to reimburse the telecommunications carrier for the expense of accounting and collecting the surcharge.

(h) Except as expressly provided in subsection (a) of this Section, on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly and until December 31, 2017, July 1, 2017, a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more shall not impose a monthly surcharge per network connection in excess of the highest monthly surcharge imposed as of January 1, 2014 by any county or municipality under subsection (c) of this Section. Beginning January 1, 2018 and until December 31, 2020, a municipality with a population over 500,000 may not impose a monthly surcharge in excess of $5.00 per network connection. On or after January 1, 2021, July 1, 2017, a municipality with a population over 500,000 may not impose a monthly surcharge in excess of $2.50 per network connection.

(i) Any municipality or county or joint emergency telephone system board that has imposed a surcharge pursuant to this Section prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1990 shall hereafter impose the surcharge in accordance with subsection (b) of this Section.

(j) The corporate authorities of any municipality or county may issue, in accordance with Illinois law, bonds, notes or other obligations secured in whole or in part by the proceeds of the surcharge described in this Section. The State of Illinois pledges and agrees that it will not limit or alter the rights and powers vested in municipalities and counties by this Section to impose the surcharge so as to impair the terms of or affect the security for bonds, notes or other obligations secured in whole or in part with the proceeds of the surcharge described in this Section. The pledge and agreement set forth in this Section survive the termination of the surcharge under subsection (l) by virtue of the replacement of the surcharge monies guaranteed under Section 20; the State of Illinois pledges and agrees that it will not limit or alter the rights vested in municipalities and counties to the surcharge replacement funds guaranteed under Section 20 so as to impair the terms of or affect the security for bonds, notes or other obligations secured in whole or in part with the proceeds of the surcharge described in this Section.

(k) Any surcharge collected by or imposed on a telecommunications carrier pursuant to this Section shall be held to be a special fund in trust for the municipality, county or Joint Emergency Telephone Board imposing the surcharge. Except for the 3% deduction provided in subsection (g) above, the special fund shall not be subject to the claims of creditors of the telecommunication carrier.

(l) On and after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly, no county or municipality, other than a municipality with a population over 500,000, may impose a monthly surcharge under this Section in excess of the amount imposed by it on the effective date of this Act. Any surcharge imposed pursuant to this Section by a county or municipality, other than a municipality with a population in excess of 500,000, shall cease to be imposed on January 1, 2016.

(Source: P.A. 98-634, eff. 6-6-14; 99-6, eff. 6-29-15.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.3a)

Sec. 15.3a. Local wireless surcharge.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, a unit of local government or emergency telephone system board providing wireless 9-1-1 service and imposing and collecting a wireless carrier surcharge prior to July 1, 1998 may continue its practices of imposing and collecting its wireless carrier surcharge, but, except as provided in subsection (b) of this Section, in no event shall that monthly surcharge exceed $2.50 per commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) connection or in-service telephone number billed on a monthly basis. For mobile telecommunications services provided on and after August 1, 2002, any surcharge imposed shall be imposed based upon the municipality or county that encompasses the customer's place of primary use as defined in the Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing Conformity Act.

(b) Until December 31, 2017, July 1, 2017, the corporate authorities of a municipality with a population in excess of 500,000 on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly may by ordinance continue to impose and collect a monthly surcharge per commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) connection or in-service telephone number billed on a monthly basis that does not exceed the highest monthly surcharge imposed as of January 1, 2014 by any county or municipality under subsection (c) of Section 15.3 of this Act. Beginning January 1, 2018, and until December 31, 2020, a municipality with a population in excess of 500,000 may by ordinance continue to impose and collect a monthly surcharge per commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) connection or in-service telephone number billed on a monthly basis that does not exceed $5.00. On or after January 1, 2021, July 1, 2017, the municipality may continue imposing and collecting its wireless carrier surcharge as provided in and subject to the limitations of subsection (a) of this Section.

(c) In addition to any other lawful purpose, a municipality with a population over 500,000 may use the moneys collected under this Section for any anti-terrorism or emergency preparedness measures, including, but not limited to, preparedness planning, providing local matching funds for federal or State grants, personnel training, and specialized equipment, including surveillance cameras, as needed to deal with natural and terrorist-inspired emergency situations or events.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.4) (from Ch. 134, par. 45.4)

Sec. 15.4. Emergency Telephone System Board; powers.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this Section, the corporate authorities of any county or municipality may establish an Emergency Telephone System Board.

The corporate authorities shall provide for the manner of appointment and the number of members of the Board, provided that the board shall consist of not fewer than 5 members, one of whom must be a public member who is a resident of the local exchange service territory included in the 9-1-1 coverage area, one of whom (in counties with a population less than 100,000) may be a member of the county board, and at least 3 of whom shall be representative of the 9-1-1 public safety agencies, including but not limited to police departments, fire departments, emergency medical services providers, and emergency services and disaster agencies, and appointed on the basis of their ability or experience. In counties with a population of more than 100,000 but less than 2,000,000, a member of the county board may serve on the Emergency Telephone System Board. Elected officials, including members of a county board, are also eligible to serve on the board. Members of the board shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses. Any 2 or more municipalities, counties, or combination thereof, may, instead of establishing individual boards, establish by intergovernmental agreement a Joint Emergency Telephone System Board pursuant to this Section. The manner of appointment of such a joint board shall be prescribed in the agreement. On or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, any new intergovernmental agreement entered into to establish or join a Joint Emergency Telephone System Board shall provide for the appointment of a PSAP representative to the board.

Upon the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, appointed members of the Emergency Telephone System Board shall serve staggered 3-year terms if: (1) the Board serves a county with a population of 100,000 or less; and (2) appointments, on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, are not for a stated term. The corporate authorities of the county or municipality shall assign terms to the board members serving on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly in the following manner: (1) one-third of board members' terms shall expire on January 1, 2015; (2) one-third of board members' terms shall expire on January 1, 2016; and (3) remaining board members' terms shall expire on January 1, 2017. Board members may be re-appointed upon the expiration of their terms by the corporate authorities of the county or municipality.

The corporate authorities of a county or municipality may, by a vote of the majority of the members elected, remove an Emergency Telephone System Board member for misconduct, official misconduct, or neglect of office.

(b) The powers and duties of the board shall be defined by ordinance of the municipality or county, or by intergovernmental agreement in the case of a joint board. The powers and duties shall include, but need not be limited to the following:

(1) Planning a 9-1-1 system.

(2) Coordinating and supervising the implementation, upgrading, or maintenance of the system, including the establishment of equipment specifications and coding systems.

(3) Receiving moneys from the surcharge imposed under Section 15.3, or disbursed to it under Section 30, and from any other source, for deposit into the Emergency Telephone System Fund.

(4) Authorizing all disbursements from the fund.

(5) Hiring any staff necessary for the implementation or upgrade of the system.

(6) (Blank).

(c) All moneys received by a board pursuant to a surcharge imposed under Section 15.3, or disbursed to it under Section 30, shall be deposited into a separate interest-bearing Emergency Telephone System Fund account. The treasurer of the municipality or county that has established the board or, in the case of a joint board, any municipal or county treasurer designated in the intergovernmental agreement, shall be custodian of the fund. All interest accruing on the fund shall remain in the fund. No expenditures may be made from such fund except upon the direction of the board by resolution passed by a majority of all members of the board.

(d) The board shall complete a Master Street Address Guide database before implementation of the 9-1-1 system. The error ratio of the database shall not at any time exceed 1% of the total database.

(e) On and after January 1, 2016, no municipality or county may create an Emergency Telephone System Board unless the board is a Joint Emergency Telephone System Board. The corporate authorities of any county or municipality entering into an intergovernmental agreement to create or join a Joint Emergency Telephone System Board shall rescind an the ordinance or ordinances creating a single the original Emergency Telephone System Board and shall eliminate the single Emergency Telephone System Board, effective upon the creation of the Joint Emergency Telephone System Board, with regulatory approval by the Administrator, or joining of the Joint Emergency Telephone System Board. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require the dissolution of an Emergency Telephone System Board that is not succeeded by a Joint Emergency Telephone System Board or is not required to consolidate under Section 15.4a of this Act.

(f) Within one year after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, any corporate authorities of a county or municipality, other than a municipality with a population of more than 500,000, operating a 9-1-1 system without an Emergency Telephone System Board or Joint Emergency Telephone System Board shall create or join a Joint Emergency Telephone System Board.

(Source: P.A. 98-481, eff. 8-16-13; 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.4a)

Sec. 15.4a. Consolidation.

(a) By July 1, 2017, and except as otherwise provided in this Section, Emergency Telephone System Boards, Joint Emergency Telephone System Boards, qualified governmental entities, and PSAPs shall be consolidated as follows, subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this Section:

(1) In any county with a population of at least 250,000 that has a single Emergency Telephone System Board, or qualified governmental entity and more than 2 PSAPs, shall reduce the number of PSAPs by at least 50% or to 2 PSAPs, whichever is greater. Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude consolidation resulting in one PSAP in the county.

(2) In any county with a population of at least 250,000 that has more than one Emergency Telephone System Board, Joint Emergency Telephone System Board, or qualified governmental entity, any 9-1-1 Authority serving a population of less than 25,000 shall be consolidated such that no 9-1-1 Authority in the county serves a population of less than 25,000.

(3) In any county with a population of at least 250,000 but less than 1,000,000 that has more than one Emergency Telephone System Board, Joint Emergency Telephone System Board, or qualified governmental entity, each 9-1-1 Authority shall reduce the number of PSAPs by at least 50% or to 2 PSAPs, whichever is greater. Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude consolidation of a 9-1-1 Authority into a Joint Emergency Telephone System Board, and nothing in this paragraph shall preclude consolidation resulting in one PSAP in the county.

(4) In any county with a population of less than 250,000 that has a single Emergency Telephone System Board or qualified governmental entity and more than 2 PSAPs, the 9-1-1 Authority shall reduce the number of PSAPs by at least 50% or to 2 PSAPs, whichever is greater. Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude consolidation resulting in one PSAP in the county.

(5) In any county with a population of less than 250,000 that has more than one Emergency Telephone System Board, Joint Emergency Telephone System Board, or qualified governmental entity and more than 2 PSAPS, the 9-1-1 Authorities shall be consolidated into a single joint board, and the number of PSAPs shall be reduced by at least 50% or to 2 PSAPs, whichever is greater. Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude consolidation resulting in one PSAP in the county.

(6) Any 9-1-1 Authority that does not have a PSAP within its jurisdiction shall be consolidated through an intergovernmental agreement with an existing 9-1-1 Authority that has a PSAP to create a Joint Emergency Telephone Board.

(7) The corporate authorities of each county that has no 9-1-1 service as of January 1, 2016 shall provide enhanced 9-1-1 wireline and wireless enhanced 9-1-1 service for that county by either (i) entering into an intergovernmental agreement with an existing Emergency Telephone System Board to create a new Joint Emergency Telephone System Board, or (ii) entering into an intergovernmental agreement with the corporate authorities that have created an existing Joint Emergency Telephone System Board.

(b) By July 1, 2016, each county required to consolidate pursuant to paragraph (7) of subsection (a) of this Section and each 9-1-1 Authority required to consolidate pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (a) of this Section shall file a plan for consolidation or a request for a waiver pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section with the Office Division of the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator.

(1) No county or 9-1-1 Authority may avoid the requirements of this Section by converting primary PSAPs to secondary or virtual answering points. Any county or 9-1-1 Authority not in compliance with this Section shall be ineligible to receive consolidation grant funds issued under Section 15.4b of this Act or monthly disbursements otherwise due under Section 30 of this Act, until the county or 9-1-1 Authority is in compliance.

(2) Within 60 calendar days of receiving a consolidation plan, the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board shall hold at least one public hearing on the plan and provide a recommendation to the Administrator. Notice of the hearing shall be provided to the respective entity to which the plan applies.

(3) Within 90 calendar days of receiving a consolidation plan, the Administrator shall approve the plan, approve the plan as modified, or grant a waiver pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section. In making his or her decision, the Administrator shall consider any recommendation from the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board regarding the plan. If the Administrator does not follow the recommendation of the Board, the Administrator shall provide a written explanation for the deviation in his or her decision.

(4) The deadlines provided in this subsection may be extended upon agreement between the Administrator and entity which submitted the plan.

(c) A waiver from a consolidation required under subsection (a) of this Section may be granted if the Administrator finds that the consolidation will result in a substantial threat to public safety, is economically unreasonable, or is technically infeasible.

(d) Any decision of the Administrator under this Section shall be deemed a final administrative decision and shall be subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review Law.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.4b)

Sec. 15.4b. Consolidation grants.

(a) The Administrator, with the advice and recommendation of the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board, shall administer a 9-1-1 System Consolidation Grant Program to defray costs associated with 9-1-1 system consolidation of systems outside of a municipality with a population in excess of 500,000. The awarded grants will be used to offset non-recurring costs associated with the consolidation of 9-1-1 systems and shall not be used for ongoing operating costs associated with the consolidated system. The Department, in consultation with the Administrator and the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board, shall adopt rules defining the grant process and criteria for issuing the grants. The grants should be awarded based on criteria that include, but are not limited to:

(1) reducing the number of transfers of a 9-1-1 call;

(2) reducing the infrastructure required to adequately provide 9-1-1 network services;

(3) promoting cost savings from resource sharing among 9-1-1 systems;

(4) facilitating interoperability and resiliency for the receipt of 9-1-1 calls;

(5) reducing the number of 9-1-1 systems or reducing the number of PSAPs within a 9-1-1 system;

(6) cost saving resulting from 9-1-1 system consolidation; and

(7) expanding E9-1-1 service coverage as a result of 9-1-1 system consolidation including to areas without E9-1-1 service.

Priority shall be given first to counties not providing 9-1-1 service as of January 1, 2016, and next to other entities consolidating as required under Section 15.4a of this Act.

(b) The 9-1-1 System Consolidation Grant application, as defined by Department rules, shall be submitted electronically to the Administrator starting January 2, 2016, and every January 2 thereafter. The application shall include a modified 9-1-1 system plan as required by this Act in support of the consolidation plan. The Administrator shall have until June 30, 2016 and every June 30 thereafter to approve 9-1-1 System Consolidation grants and modified 9-1-1 system plans. Payment under the approved 9-1-1 System Consolidation grants shall be contingent upon the final approval of a modified 9-1-1 system plan.

(c) Existing and previously completed consolidation projects shall be eligible to apply for reimbursement of costs related to the consolidation incurred between 2010 and the State fiscal year of the application.

(d) The 9-1-1 systems that receive grants under this Section shall provide a report detailing grant fund usage to the Administrator pursuant to Section 40 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.5)

Sec. 15.5. Private residential switch service 9-1-1 service.

(a) After June 30, 1995, an entity that provides or operates private residential switch service and provides telecommunications facilities or services to residents shall provide to those residential end users the same level of 9-1-1 service as the public agency and the telecommunications carrier are providing to other residential end users of the local 9-1-1 system. This service shall include, but not be limited to, the capability to identify the telephone number, extension number, and the physical location that is the source of the call to the number designated as the emergency telephone number.

(b) The private residential switch operator is responsible for forwarding end user automatic location identification record information to the 9-1-1 system provider according to the format, frequency, and procedures established by that system provider.

(c) This Act does not apply to any PBX telephone extension that uses radio transmissions to convey electrical signals directly between the telephone extension and the serving PBX.

(d) An entity that violates this Section is guilty of a business offense and shall be fined not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000.

(e) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to preclude the Attorney General on behalf of the Department or on his or her own initiative, or any other interested person, from seeking judicial relief, by mandamus, injunction, or otherwise, to compel compliance with this Section.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.6)

Sec. 15.6. Enhanced 9-1-1 service; business service.

(a) After June 30, 2000, or within 18 months after enhanced 9-1-1 service becomes available, any entity that installs or operates a private business switch service and provides telecommunications facilities or services to businesses shall assure that the system is connected to the public switched network in a manner that calls to 9-1-1 result in automatic number and location identification. For buildings having their own street address and containing workspace of 40,000 square feet or less, location identification shall include the building's street address. For buildings having their own street address and containing workspace of more than 40,000 square feet, location identification shall include the building's street address and one distinct location identification per 40,000 square feet of workspace. Separate buildings containing workspace of 40,000 square feet or less having a common public street address shall have a distinct location identification for each building in addition to the street address.

(b) Exemptions. Buildings containing workspace of more than 40,000 square feet are exempt from the multiple location identification requirements of subsection (a) if the building maintains, at all times, alternative and adequate means of signaling and responding to emergencies. Those means shall include, but not be limited to, a telephone system that provides the physical location of 9-1-1 calls coming from within the building. Health care facilities are presumed to meet the requirements of this paragraph if the facilities are staffed with medical or nursing personnel 24 hours per day and if an alternative means of providing information about the source of an emergency call exists. Buildings under this exemption must provide 9-1-1 service that provides the building's street address.

Buildings containing workspace of more than 40,000 square feet are exempt from subsection (a) if the building maintains, at all times, alternative and adequate means of signaling and responding to emergencies, including a telephone system that provides the location of a 9-1-1 call coming from within the building, and the building is serviced by its own medical, fire and security personnel. Buildings under this exemption are subject to emergency phone system certification by the Administrator.

Buildings in communities not serviced by enhanced 9-1-1 service are exempt from subsection (a).

Correctional institutions and facilities, as defined in subsection (d) of Section 3-1-2 of the Unified Code of Corrections, are exempt from subsection (a).

(c) This Act does not apply to any PBX telephone extension that uses radio transmissions to convey electrical signals directly between the telephone extension and the serving PBX.

(d) An entity that violates this Section is guilty of a business offense and shall be fined not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000.

(e) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to preclude the Attorney General on behalf of the Department or on his or her own initiative, or any other interested person, from seeking judicial relief, by mandamus, injunction, or otherwise, to compel compliance with this Section.

(f) The Department may promulgate rules for the administration of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.6a)

Sec. 15.6a. Wireless emergency 9-1-1 service.

(a) The digits "9-1-1" shall be the designated emergency telephone number within the wireless system.

(b) The Department may set non-discriminatory and uniform technical and operational standards consistent with the rules of the Federal Communications Commission for directing calls to authorized public safety answering points. These standards shall not in any way prescribe the technology or manner a wireless carrier shall use to deliver wireless 9-1-1 or wireless E9-1-1 calls, and these standards shall not exceed the requirements set by the Federal Communications Commission; however, standards for directing calls to the authorized public safety answering point shall be included. The authority given to the Department in this Section is limited to setting standards as set forth herein and does not constitute authority to regulate wireless carriers.

(c) For the purpose of providing wireless 9-1-1 emergency services, an emergency telephone system board or, in the absence of an emergency telephone system board, a qualified governmental entity, may declare its intention for one or more of its public safety answering points to serve as a primary wireless 9-1-1 public safety answering point for its jurisdiction by notifying the Administrator in writing within 6 months after receiving its authority to operate a 9-1-1 system under this Act. In addition, 2 or more emergency telephone system boards or qualified governmental entities may, by virtue of an intergovernmental agreement, provide wireless 9-1-1 service. Until the jurisdiction comes into compliance with Section 15.4a of this Act, the The Department of State Police shall be the primary wireless 9-1-1 public safety answering point for any jurisdiction that did not provide notice to the Illinois Commerce Commission and the Department prior to January 1, 2016.

(d) The Administrator, upon a request from a qualified governmental entity or an emergency telephone system board and with the advice and recommendation of the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board, may grant authority to the emergency telephone system board or a qualified governmental entity to provide wireless 9-1-1 service in areas for which the Department has accepted wireless 9-1-1 responsibility. The Administrator shall maintain a current list of all 9-1-1 systems and qualified governmental entities providing wireless 9-1-1 service under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.6b)

Sec. 15.6b. Next Generation 9-1-1 service.

(a) The Administrator, with the advice and recommendation of the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board, shall develop and implement a plan for a statewide Next Generation 9-1-1 network. The Next Generation 9-1-1 network must be an Internet protocol-based platform that at a minimum provides:

(1) improved 9-1-1 call delivery;

(2) enhanced interoperability;

(3) increased ease of communication between 9-1-1 service providers, allowing immediate transfer of 9-1-1 calls, caller information, photos, and other data statewide;

(4) a hosted solution with redundancy built in; and

(5) compliance with NENA Standards i3 Solution 08-003.

(b) By July 1, 2016, the Administrator, with the advice and recommendation of the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board, shall design and issue a competitive request for a proposal to secure the services of a consultant to complete a feasibility study on the implementation of a statewide Next Generation 9-1-1 network in Illinois. By July 1, 2017, the consultant shall complete the feasibility study and make recommendations as to the appropriate procurement approach for developing a statewide Next Generation 9-1-1 network.

(c) Within 12 months of the final report from the consultant under subsection (b) of this Section, the Department shall procure and finalize a contract with a vendor certified under Section 13-900 of the Public Utilities Act to establish a statewide Next Generation 9-1-1 network. By July 1, 2020, the vendor shall implement a Next Generation 9-1-1 network that allows 9-1-1 systems providing 9-1-1 service to Illinois residents to access the system utilizing their current infrastructure if it meets the standards adopted by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.7)

Sec. 15.7. Compliance with certification of 9-1-1 system providers by the Illinois Commerce Commission. In addition to the requirements of this Act, all 9-1-1 system providers must comply with the requirements of Section 13-900 of the Public Utilities Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/15.8)

Sec. 15.8. 9-1-1 dialing from a business.

(a) Any entity that installs or operates a private business switch service and provides telecommunications facilities or services to businesses shall ensure that all systems installed on or after July 1, 2015 (the effective date of Public Act 98-875) are connected to the public switched network in a manner such that when a user dials "9-1-1", the emergency call connects to the 9-1-1 system without first dialing any number or set of numbers.

(b) The requirements of this Section do not apply to:

(1) any entity certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission to operate a Private Emergency Answering Point as defined in 83 Ill. Adm. Code 726.105; or

(2) correctional institutions and facilities as defined in subsection (d) of Section 3-1-2 of the Unified Code of Corrections.

(c) An entity that violates this Section is guilty of a business offense and shall be fined not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000.

(Source: P.A. 98-875, eff. 7-1-15; 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/16) (from Ch. 134, par. 46)

Sec. 16. This Act takes effect July 1, 1975.

(Source: P.A. 79-1092.)

(50 ILCS 750/17.5 new)

Sec. 17.5. 9-1-1 call transfer, forward, or relay.

(a) The General Assembly finds the following:

(1) Some 9-1-1 systems throughout this State do not have a procedure in place to manually transfer, forward, or relay 9-1-1 calls originating within one 9-1-1 system's jurisdiction, but which should properly be answered and dispatched by another 9-1-1 system, to the appropriate 9-1-1 system for answering and dispatch of first responders.

(2) On January 1, 2016, the General Assembly gave oversight authority of 9-1-1 systems to the Department of State Police.

(3) Since that date, the Department of State Police has authorized individual 9-1-1 systems in counties and municipalities to implement and upgrade enhanced 9-1-1 systems throughout the State.

(b) The Department shall prepare a directory of all authorized 9-1-1 systems in the State. The directory shall include an emergency 24/7 10-digit telephone number for all primary public safety answering points located in each 9-1-1 system to which 9-1-1 calls from another jurisdiction can be transferred. This directory shall be made available to each 9-1-1 authority for its use in establishing standard operating procedures regarding calls outside its 9-1-1 jurisdiction.

(c) Each 9-1-1 system shall provide the Department with the following information:

(1) The name of the PSAP, a list of every participating agency, and the county the PSAP is in, including college and university public safety entities.

(2) The 24/7 10-digit emergency telephone number and email address for the dispatch agency to which 9-1-1 calls originating in another 9-1-1 jurisdiction can be transferred or by which the PSAP can be contacted via email to exchange information. Each 9-1-1 system shall provide the Department with any changes to the participating agencies and this number and email address immediately upon the change occurring. Each 9-1-1 system shall provide the PSAP information, the 24/7 10-digit emergency telephone number and email address to the Manager of the Department's 9-1-1 Program within 30 days of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly.

(3) The standard operating procedure describing the manner in which the 9-1-1 system will transfer, forward, or relay 9-1-1 calls originating within its jurisdiction, but which should properly be answered and dispatched by another 9-1-1 system, to the appropriate 9-1-1 system. Each 9-1-1 system shall provide the standard operating procedures to the Manager of the Department's 9-1-1 Program within 180 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly.

(50 ILCS 750/19)

Sec. 19. Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board.

(a) Beginning July 1, 2015, there is created the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board within the Department of State Police. The Board shall consist of the following 11 voting members:

(1) The Director of the State Police, or his or her designee, who shall serve as chairman.

(2) The Executive Director of the Commission, or his or her designee.

(3) Nine members appointed by the Governor as follows:

(A) one member representing the Illinois chapter of the National Emergency Number Association, or his or her designee;

(B) one member representing the Illinois chapter of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, or his or her designee;

(C) one member representing a county 9-1-1 system from a county with a population of less than 50,000;

(D) one member representing a county 9-1-1 system from a county with a population between 50,000 and 250,000;

(E) one member representing a county 9-1-1 system from a county with a population of more than 250,000;

(F) one member representing a municipality with a population of less than 500,000 in a county with a population in excess of 2,000,000;

(G) one member representing the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police;

(H) one member representing the Illinois Sheriffs' Association; and

(I) one member representing the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association.

The Governor shall appoint the following non-voting members: (i) one member representing an incumbent local exchange 9-1-1 system provider; (ii) one member representing a non-incumbent local exchange 9-1-1 system provider; (iii) one member representing a large wireless carrier; (iv) one member representing an incumbent local exchange a small wireless carrier; and (v) one member representing the Illinois Telecommunications Association; (vi) one member representing the Cable Television and Communication Association of Illinois; and (vii) one member representing the Illinois State Ambulance Association. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the Senate may each appoint a member of the General Assembly to temporarily serve as a non-voting member of the Board during the 12 months prior to the repeal date of this Act to discuss legislative initiatives of the Board.

(b) The Governor shall make initial appointments to the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board by August 31, 2015. Six of the voting members appointed by the Governor shall serve an initial term of 2 years, and the remaining voting members appointed by the Governor shall serve an initial term of 3 years. Thereafter, each appointment by the Governor shall be for a term of 3 years. Non-voting members shall serve for a term of 3 years. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Persons appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the balance of the unexpired term.

Members of the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board shall serve without compensation.

(c) The 9-1-1 Services Advisory Board, as constituted on June 1, 2015 without the legislative members, shall serve in the role of the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board until all appointments of voting members have been made by the Governor under subsection (a) of this Section.

(d) The Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board shall:

(1) advise the Department of State Police and the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator on the oversight of 9-1-1 systems and the development and implementation of a uniform statewide 9-1-1 system;

(2) make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly regarding improvements to 9-1-1 services throughout the State; and

(3) exercise all other powers and duties provided in this Act.

(e) The Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board shall submit to the General Assembly a report by March 1 of each year providing an update on the transition to a statewide 9-1-1 system and recommending any legislative action.

(f) The Department of State Police shall provide administrative support to the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 6-29-15.)

(50 ILCS 750/20)

Sec. 20. Statewide surcharge.

(a) On and after January 1, 2016, and except with respect to those customers who are subject to surcharges as provided in Sections 15.3 and 15.3a of this Act, a monthly surcharge shall be imposed on all customers of telecommunications carriers and wireless carriers as follows:

(1) Each telecommunications carrier shall impose a monthly surcharge of $0.87 per network connection; provided, however, the monthly surcharge shall not apply to a network connection provided for use with pay telephone services. Where multiple voice grade communications channels are connected between the subscriber's premises and a public switched network through private branch exchange (PBX), or centrex type service, or other multiple voice grade communication channels facility, there shall be imposed 5 such surcharges per network connection for both regular service and advanced service provisioned trunk lines. Until December 31, 2017, the surcharge shall be $0.87 per network connection and on and after January 1, 2018, the surcharge shall be $1.50 per network connection.

(2) Each wireless carrier shall impose and collect a monthly surcharge of $0.87 per CMRS connection that either has a telephone number within an area code assigned to Illinois by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator or has a billing address in this State. Until December 31, 2017, the surcharge shall be $0.87 per connection and on and after January 1, 2018, the surcharge shall be $1.50 per connection.

(b) State and local taxes shall not apply to the surcharges imposed under this Section.

(c) The surcharges imposed by this Section shall be stated as a separately stated item on subscriber bills.

(d) The telecommunications carrier collecting the surcharge may deduct and retain an amount not to exceed shall also be entitled to deduct 3% of the gross amount of surcharge collected to reimburse the telecommunications carrier for the expense of accounting and collecting the surcharge. On and after July 1, 2022, the wireless carrier collecting a surcharge under this Section may deduct and retain an amount not to exceed shall be entitled to deduct up to 3% of the gross amount of the surcharge collected to reimburse the wireless carrier for the expense of accounting and collecting the surcharge.

(e) Surcharges imposed under this Section shall be collected by the carriers and shall be remitted to the Department, within 30 days of collection, remitted, either by check or electronic funds transfer, by the end of the next calendar month after the calendar month in which it was collected to the Department for deposit into the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund. Carriers are not required to remit surcharge moneys that are billed to subscribers but not yet collected.

The first remittance by wireless carriers shall include the number of subscribers by zip code, and the 9-digit zip code if currently being used or later implemented by the carrier, that shall be the means by which the Department shall determine distributions from the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund. This information shall be updated at least once each year. Any carrier that fails to provide the zip code information required under this subsection (e) shall be subject to the penalty set forth in subsection (g) of this Section.

(f) If, within 8 calendar 5 business days after it is due under subsection (e) of this Section, a carrier does not remit the surcharge or any portion thereof required under this Section, then the surcharge or portion thereof shall be deemed delinquent until paid in full, and the Department may impose a penalty against the carrier in an amount equal to the greater of:

(1) $25 for each month or portion of a month from the time an amount becomes delinquent until the amount is paid in full; or

(2) an amount equal to the product of 1% and the sum of all delinquent amounts for each month or portion of a month that the delinquent amounts remain unpaid.

A penalty imposed in accordance with this subsection (f) for a portion of a month during which the carrier pays the delinquent amount in full shall be prorated for each day of that month that the delinquent amount was paid in full. Any penalty imposed under this subsection (f) is in addition to the amount of the delinquency and is in addition to any other penalty imposed under this Section.

(g) If, within 8 calendar 5 business days after it is due, a wireless carrier does not provide the number of subscribers by zip code as required under subsection (e) of this Section, then the report is deemed delinquent and the Department may impose a penalty against the carrier in an amount equal to the greater of:

(1) $25 for each month or portion of a month that the report is delinquent; or

(2) an amount equal to the product of $0.01 and the number of subscribers served by the carrier for each month or portion of a month that the delinquent report is not provided.

A penalty imposed in accordance with this subsection (g) for a portion of a month during which the carrier provides the number of subscribers by zip code as required under subsection (e) of this Section shall be prorated for each day of that month during which the carrier had not provided the number of subscribers by zip code as required under subsection (e) of this Section. Any penalty imposed under this subsection (g) is in addition to any other penalty imposed under this Section.

(h) A penalty imposed and collected in accordance with subsection (f) or (g) of this Section shall be deposited into the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund for distribution according to Section 30 of this Act.

(i) The Department may enforce the collection of any delinquent amount and any penalty due and unpaid under this Section by legal action or in any other manner by which the collection of debts due the State of Illinois may be enforced under the laws of this State. The Department may excuse the payment of any penalty imposed under this Section if the Administrator determines that the enforcement of this penalty is unjust.

(j) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, nothing shall impair the right of wireless carriers to recover compliance costs for all emergency communications services that are not reimbursed out of the Wireless Carrier Reimbursement Fund directly from their wireless subscribers by line-item charges on the wireless subscriber's bill. Those compliance costs include all costs incurred by wireless carriers in complying with local, State, and federal regulatory or legislative mandates that require the transmission and receipt of emergency communications to and from the general public, including, but not limited to, E9-1-1.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/30)

Sec. 30. Statewide 9-1-1 Fund; surcharge disbursement.

(a) A special fund in the State treasury known as the Wireless Service Emergency Fund shall be renamed the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund. Any appropriations made from the Wireless Service Emergency Fund shall be payable from the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund. The Fund shall consist of the following:

(1) 9-1-1 wireless surcharges assessed under the Wireless Emergency Telephone Safety Act.

(2) 9-1-1 surcharges assessed under Section 20 of this Act.

(3) Prepaid wireless 9-1-1 surcharges assessed under Section 15 of the Prepaid Wireless 9-1-1 Surcharge Act.

(4) Any appropriations, grants, or gifts made to the Fund.

(5) Any income from interest, premiums, gains, or other earnings on moneys in the Fund.

(6) Money from any other source that is deposited in or transferred to the Fund.

(b) Subject to appropriation and availability of funds, the Department shall distribute the 9-1-1 surcharges monthly as follows:

(1) From each surcharge collected and remitted under Section 20 of this Act:

(A) $0.013 shall be distributed monthly in equal amounts to each County Emergency Telephone System Board or qualified governmental entity in counties with a population under 100,000 according to the most recent census data which is authorized to serve as a primary wireless 9-1-1 public safety answering point for the county and to provide wireless 9-1-1 service as prescribed by subsection (b) of Section 15.6a of this Act, and which does provide such service.

(B) $0.033 shall be transferred by the Comptroller at the direction of the Department to the Wireless Carrier Reimbursement Fund until June 30, 2017; from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, $0.026 shall be transferred; from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019, $0.020 shall be transferred; from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020, $0.013 shall be transferred; from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, $0.007 will be transferred; and after June 30, 2021, no transfer shall be made to the Wireless Carrier Reimbursement Fund.

(C) Until December 31, 2017, $0.007 and on and after January 1, 2018, $0.017 shall be used to cover the Department's administrative costs.

(D) Beginning January 1, 2018, until June 30, 2020, $0.12, and on and after July 1, 2020, $0.04 shall be used to make monthly proportional grants to the appropriate 9-1-1 Authority currently taking wireless 9-1-1 based upon the United States Postal Zip Code of the billing addresses of subscribers wireless carriers.

(E) Until June 30, 2020, $0.05 shall be used by the Department for grants for NG9-1-1 expenses, with priority given to 9-1-1 Authorities that provide 9-1-1 service within the territory of a Large Electing Provider as defined in Section 13-406.1 of the Public Utilities Act.

(F) On and after July 1, 2020, $0.13 shall be used for the implementation of and continuing expenses for the Statewide NG9-1-1 system.

(2) After disbursements under paragraph (1) of this subsection (b), all remaining funds in the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund shall be disbursed in the following priority order:

(A) The Fund shall will pay monthly to:

(i) the 9-1-1 Authorities that imposed surcharges under Section 15.3 of this Act and were required to report to the Illinois Commerce Commission under Section 27 of the Wireless Emergency Telephone Safety Act on October 1, 2014, except a 9-1-1 Authority in a municipality with a population in excess of 500,000, an amount equal to the average monthly wireline and VoIP surcharge revenue attributable to the most recent 12-month period reported to the Department under that Section for the October 1, 2014 filing, subject to the power of the Department to investigate the amount reported and adjust the number by order under Article X of the Public Utilities Act, so that the monthly amount paid under this item accurately reflects one-twelfth of the aggregate wireline and VoIP surcharge revenue properly attributable to the most recent 12-month period reported to the Commission; or

(ii) county qualified governmental entities that did not impose a surcharge under Section 15.3 as of December 31, 2015, and counties that did not impose a surcharge as of June 30, 2015, an amount equivalent to their population multiplied by .37 multiplied by the rate of $0.69; counties that are not county qualified governmental entities and that did not impose a surcharge as of December 31, 2015, shall not begin to receive the payment provided for in this subsection until E9-1-1 and wireless E9-1-1 services are provided within their counties; or

(iii) counties without 9-1-1 service that had a surcharge in place by December 31, 2015, an amount equivalent to their population multiplied by .37 multiplied by their surcharge rate as established by the referendum.

(B) All 9-1-1 network costs for systems outside of municipalities with a population of at least 500,000 shall be paid by the Department directly to the vendors.

(C) All expenses incurred by the Administrator and the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board and costs associated with procurement under Section 15.6b including requests for information and requests for proposals.

(D) Funds may be held in reserve by the Statewide 9-1-1 Advisory Board and disbursed by the Department for grants under Section 15.4b of this Act Sections 15.4a, 15.4b, and for NG9-1-1 expenses up to $12.5 million per year in State fiscal years 2016 and 2017; up to $20 $13.5 million in State fiscal year 2018; up to $20.9 $14.4 million in State fiscal year 2019; up to $15.3 million in State fiscal year 2020; up to $16.2 million in State fiscal year 2021; up to $23.1 million in State fiscal year 2022; and up to $17.0 million per year for State fiscal year 2023 and each year thereafter. The amount held in reserve in State fiscal years 2018 and 2019 shall not be less than $6.5 million. Disbursements under this subparagraph (D) shall be prioritized as follows: (i) consolidation grants prioritized under subsection (a) of Section 15.4b of this Act; (ii) NG9-1-1 expenses; and (iii) consolidation grants under Section 15.4b of this Act for consolidation expenses incurred between January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2016.

(E) All remaining funds per remit month shall be used to make monthly proportional grants to the appropriate 9-1-1 Authority currently taking wireless 9-1-1 based upon the United States Postal Zip Code of the billing addresses of subscribers of wireless carriers.

(c) The moneys deposited into the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund under this Section shall not be subject to administrative charges or chargebacks unless otherwise authorized by this Act.

(d) Whenever two or more 9-1-1 Authorities consolidate, the resulting Joint Emergency Telephone System Board shall be entitled to the monthly payments that had theretofore been made to each consolidating 9-1-1 Authority. Any reserves held by any consolidating 9-1-1 Authority shall be transferred to the resulting Joint Emergency Telephone System Board. Whenever a county that has no 9-1-1 service as of January 1, 2016 enters into an agreement to consolidate to create or join a Joint Emergency Telephone System Board, the Joint Emergency Telephone System Board shall be entitled to the monthly payments that would have otherwise been paid to the county if it had provided 9-1-1 service.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/35)

Sec. 35. 9-1-1 surcharge; allowable expenditures. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, expenditures from surcharge revenues received under this Act may be made by municipalities, counties, and 9-1-1 Authorities only to pay for the costs associated with the following:

(1) The design of the Emergency Telephone System.

(2) The coding of an initial Master Street Address Guide database, and update and maintenance thereof.

(3) The repayment of any moneys advanced for the implementation of the system.

(4) The charges for Automatic Number Identification and Automatic Location Identification equipment, a computer aided dispatch system that records, maintains, and integrates information, mobile data transmitters equipped with automatic vehicle locators, and maintenance, replacement, and update thereof to increase operational efficiency and improve the provision of emergency services.

(5) The non-recurring charges related to installation of the Emergency Telephone System.

(6) The initial acquisition and installation, or the reimbursement of costs therefor to other governmental bodies that have incurred those costs, of road or street signs that are essential to the implementation of the Emergency Telephone System and that are not duplicative of signs that are the responsibility of the jurisdiction charged with maintaining road and street signs. Funds may not be used for ongoing expenses associated with road or street sign maintenance and replacement.

(7) Other products and services necessary for the implementation, upgrade, and maintenance of the system and any other purpose related to the operation of the system, including costs attributable directly to the construction, leasing, or maintenance of any buildings or facilities or costs of personnel attributable directly to the operation of the system. Costs attributable directly to the operation of an emergency telephone system do not include the costs of public safety agency personnel who are and equipment that is dispatched in response to an emergency call.

(8) The defraying of expenses incurred to implement Next Generation 9-1-1, subject to the conditions set forth in this Act.

(9) The implementation of a computer aided dispatch system or hosted supplemental 9-1-1 services.

(10) The design, implementation, operation, maintenance, or upgrade of wireless 9-1-1, or E9-1-1, or NG9-1-1 emergency services and public safety answering points.

Moneys in the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund may also be transferred to a participating fire protection district to reimburse volunteer firefighters who man remote telephone switching facilities when dedicated 9-1-1 lines are down.

In the case of a municipality with a population over 500,000, moneys may also be used for any anti-terrorism or emergency preparedness measures, including, but not limited to, preparedness planning, providing local matching funds for federal or State grants, personnel training, and specialized equipment, including surveillance cameras, as needed to deal with natural and terrorist-inspired emergency situations or events.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/40)

Sec. 40. Financial reports.

(a) The Department shall create uniform accounting procedures, with such modification as may be required to give effect to statutory provisions applicable only to municipalities with a population in excess of 500,000, that any emergency telephone system board, qualified governmental entity, or unit of local government receiving surcharge money pursuant to Section 15.3, 15.3a, or 30 of this Act must follow.

(b) By January 31, 2018, and every January 31 thereafter October 1, 2016, and every October 1 thereafter, each emergency telephone system board, qualified governmental entity, or unit of local government receiving surcharge money pursuant to Section 15.3, 15.3a, or 30 shall report to the Department audited financial statements showing total revenue and expenditures for the period beginning with the end of the period covered by the last submitted report through the end of the previous calendar year previous fiscal year in a form and manner as prescribed by the Department. Such financial information shall include:

(1) a detailed summary of revenue from all sources including, but not limited to, local, State, federal, and private revenues, and any other funds received;

(2) all expenditures made during the reporting period from distributions under this Act; operating expenses, capital expenditures, and cash balances; and

(3) call data and statistics, when available, from the reporting period, as specified by the Department and collected in accordance with any reporting method established or required such other financial information that is relevant to the provision of 9-1-1 services as determined by the Department; .

(4) all costs associated with dispatching appropriate public safety agencies to respond to 9-1-1 calls received by the PSAP; and

(5) all funding sources and amounts of funding used for costs described in paragraph (4) of this subsection (b).

The emergency telephone system board, qualified governmental entity, or unit of local government is responsible for any costs associated with auditing such financial statements. The Department shall post the audited financial statements on the Department's website.

(c) Along with its audited financial statement, each emergency telephone system board, qualified governmental entity, or unit of local government receiving a grant under Section 15.4b of this Act shall include a report of the amount of grant moneys received and how the grant moneys were used. In case of a conflict between this requirement and the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act, or with the rules of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget adopted thereunder, that Act and those rules shall control.

(d) If an emergency telephone system board or qualified governmental entity that receives funds from the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund fails to file the 9-1-1 system financial reports as required under this Section, the Department shall suspend and withhold monthly disbursements otherwise due to the emergency telephone system board or qualified governmental entity under Section 30 of this Act until the report is filed.

Any monthly disbursements that have been withheld for 12 months or more shall be forfeited by the emergency telephone system board or qualified governmental entity and shall be distributed proportionally by the Department to compliant emergency telephone system boards and qualified governmental entities that receive funds from the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund.

Any emergency telephone system board or qualified governmental entity not in compliance with this Section shall be ineligible to receive any consolidation grant or infrastructure grant issued under this Act.

(e) The Department may adopt emergency rules necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.

(f) Any findings or decisions of the Department under this Section shall be deemed a final administrative decision and shall be subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review Law.

(g) Beginning October 1, 2017, the Department shall provide a quarterly report to the Board of its expenditures from the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund for the prior fiscal quarter.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/45)

Sec. 45. Wireless Carrier Reimbursement Fund.

(a) A special fund in the State treasury known as the Wireless Carrier Reimbursement Fund, which was created previously under Section 30 of the Wireless Emergency Telephone Safety Act, shall continue in existence without interruption notwithstanding the repeal of that Act. Moneys in the Wireless Carrier Reimbursement Fund may be used, subject to appropriation, only (i) to reimburse wireless carriers for all of their costs incurred in complying with the applicable provisions of Federal Communications Commission wireless enhanced 9-1-1 service mandates, and (ii) to pay the reasonable and necessary costs of the Illinois Commerce Commission in exercising its rights, duties, powers, and functions under this Act. This reimbursement to wireless carriers may include, but need not be limited to, the cost of designing, upgrading, purchasing, leasing, programming, installing, testing, and maintaining necessary data, hardware, and software and associated operating and administrative costs and overhead.

(b) To recover costs from the Wireless Carrier Reimbursement Fund, the wireless carrier shall submit sworn invoices to the Illinois Commerce Commission. In no event may any invoice for payment be approved for (i) costs that are not related to compliance with the requirements established by the wireless enhanced 9-1-1 mandates of the Federal Communications Commission, or (ii) costs with respect to any wireless enhanced 9-1-1 service that is not operable at the time the invoice is submitted.

(c) If in any month the total amount of invoices submitted to the Illinois Commerce Commission and approved for payment exceeds the amount available in the Wireless Carrier Reimbursement Fund, wireless carriers that have invoices approved for payment shall receive a pro-rata share of the amount available in the Wireless Carrier Reimbursement Fund based on the relative amount of their approved invoices available that month, and the balance of the payments shall be carried into the following months until all of the approved payments are made.

(d) A wireless carrier may not receive payment from the Wireless Carrier Reimbursement Fund for its costs of providing wireless enhanced 9-1-1 services in an area when a unit of local government or emergency telephone system board provides wireless 9-1-1 services in that area and was imposing and collecting a wireless carrier surcharge prior to July 1, 1998.

(e) The Illinois Commerce Commission shall maintain detailed records of all receipts and disbursements and shall provide an annual accounting of all receipts and disbursements to the Auditor General.

(f) The Illinois Commerce Commission must annually review the balance in the Wireless Carrier Reimbursement Fund as of June 30 of each year and shall direct the Comptroller to transfer into the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund for distribution in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 30 of this Act any amount in excess of outstanding invoices as of June 30 of each year.

(g) The Illinois Commerce Commission shall adopt rules to govern the reimbursement process.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/50)

Sec. 50. Fund audits. The Auditor General shall conduct as a part of its bi-annual audit, an audit of the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund and the Wireless Carrier Reimbursement Fund for compliance with the requirements of this Act. The audit shall include, but not be limited to, the following determinations:

(1) Whether detailed records of all receipts and disbursements from the Statewide 9-1-1 Fund and the Wireless Carrier Reimbursement Fund are being maintained.

(2) Whether administrative costs charged to the funds are adequately documented and are reasonable.

(3) Whether the procedures for making disbursements and grants and providing reimbursements in accordance with the Act are adequate.

(4) The status of the implementation of statewide 9-1-1 service and Next Generation 9-1-1 service in Illinois.

The Illinois Commerce Commission, the Department of State Police, and any other entity or person that may have information relevant to the audit shall cooperate fully and promptly with the Office of the Auditor General in conducting the audit. The Auditor General shall commence the audit as soon as possible and distribute the report upon completion in accordance with Section 3-14 of the Illinois State Auditing Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/55)

Sec. 55. Public disclosure. Because of the highly competitive nature of the wireless telephone industry, public disclosure of information about surcharge moneys paid by wireless carriers could have the effect of stifling competition to the detriment of the public and the delivery of wireless 9-1-1 services. Therefore, the Illinois Commerce Commission, the Department of State Police, governmental agencies, and individuals with access to that information shall take appropriate steps to prevent public disclosure of this information. Information and data supporting the amount and distribution of surcharge moneys collected and remitted by an individual wireless carrier shall be deemed exempt information for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act and shall not be publicly disclosed. The gross amount paid by all carriers shall not be deemed exempt and may be publicly disclosed.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/60)

Sec. 60. Interconnected VoIP providers. Interconnected VoIP providers in Illinois shall be subject in a competitively neutral manner to the same provisions of this Act as are provided for telecommunications carriers. Interconnected VoIP services shall not be considered an intrastate telecommunications service for the purposes of this Act in a manner inconsistent with federal law or Federal Communications Commission regulation.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 1-1-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/75)

Sec. 75. Transfer of rights, functions, powers, duties, and property to Department of State Police; rules and standards; savings provisions.

(a) On January 1, 2016, the rights, functions, powers, and duties of the Illinois Commerce Commission as set forth in this Act and the Wireless Emergency Telephone Safety Act existing prior to January 1, 2016, are transferred to and shall be exercised by the Department of State Police. On or before January 1, 2016, the Commission shall transfer and deliver to the Department all books, records, documents, property (real and personal), unexpended appropriations, and pending business pertaining to the rights, powers, duties, and functions transferred to the Department under Public Act 99-6.

(b) The rules and standards of the Commission that are in effect on January 1, 2016 and that pertain to the rights, powers, duties, and functions transferred to the Department under Public Act 99-6 shall become the rules and standards of the Department on January 1, 2016, and shall continue in effect until amended or repealed by the Department.

Any rules pertaining to the rights, powers, duties, and functions transferred to the Department under Public Act 99-6 that have been proposed by the Commission but have not taken effect or been finally adopted by January 1, 2016, shall become proposed rules of the Department on January 1, 2016, and any rulemaking procedures that have already been completed by the Commission for those proposed rules need not be repealed.

As soon as it is practical after January 1, 2016, the Department shall revise and clarify the rules transferred to it under Public Act 99-6 to reflect the transfer of rights, powers, duties, and functions effected by Public Act 99-6 using the procedures for recodification of rules available under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, except that existing title, part, and section numbering for the affected rules may be retained. The Department may propose and adopt under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act any other rules necessary to consolidate and clarify those rules.

(c) The rights, powers, duties, and functions transferred to the Department by Public Act 99-6 shall be vested in and exercised by the Department subject to the provisions of this Act and the Wireless Emergency Telephone Safety Act. An act done by the Department or an officer, employee, or agent of the Department in the exercise of the transferred rights, powers, duties, and functions shall have the same legal effect as if done by the Commission or an officer, employee, or agent of the Commission.

The transfer of rights, powers, duties, and functions to the Department under Public Act 99-6 does not invalidate any previous action taken by or in respect to the Commission, its officers, employees, or agents. References to the Commission or its officers, employees, or agents in any document, contract, agreement, or law shall, in appropriate contexts, be deemed to refer to the Department or its officers, employees, or agents.

The transfer of rights, powers, duties, and functions to the Department under Public Act 99-6 does not affect any person's rights, obligations, or duties, including any civil or criminal penalties applicable thereto, arising out of those transferred rights, powers, duties, and functions.

Public Act 99-6 does not affect any act done, ratified, or cancelled, any right occurring or established, or any action or proceeding commenced in an administrative, civil, or criminal case before January 1, 2016. Any such action or proceeding that pertains to a right, power, duty, or function transferred to the Department under Public Act 99-6 that is pending on that date may be prosecuted, defended, or continued by the Commission.

For the purposes of Section 9b of the State Finance Act, the Department is the successor to the Commission with respect to the rights, duties, powers, and functions transferred by Public Act 99-6.

(d) The Department is authorized to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Commission for the purpose of having the Commission assist the Department and the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator in carrying out their duties and functions under this Act. The agreement may provide for funding for the Commission for its assistance to the Department and the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 6-29-15; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16.)

(50 ILCS 750/80 new)

Sec. 80. Continuation of Act; validation.

(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly manifests the intention of the General Assembly to extend the repeal of this Act and have this Act continue in effect until December 31, 2020.

(b) This Section shall be deemed to have been in continuous effect since July 1, 2017 and it shall continue to be in effect henceforward until it is otherwise lawfully repealed. All previously enacted amendments to this Act taking effect on or after July 1, 2017, are hereby validated. All actions taken in reliance on or under this Act by the Department of State Police or any other person or entity are hereby validated.

(c) In order to ensure the continuing effectiveness of this Act, it is set forth in full and reenacted by this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly. Striking and underscoring are used only to show changes being made to the base text. This reenactment is intended as a continuation of this Act. It is not intended to supersede any amendment to this Act that is enacted by the 100th General Assembly.

(50 ILCS 750/99)

Sec. 99. Repealer. This Act is repealed on December 31, 2020 July 1, 2017.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 6-29-15.)

Section 20. The Prepaid Wireless 9-1-1 Surcharge Act is amended by changing Section 15 as follows:

(50 ILCS 753/15)

Sec. 15. Prepaid wireless 9-1-1 surcharge.

(a) Until September 30, 2015, there is hereby imposed on consumers a prepaid wireless 9-1-1 surcharge of 1.5% per retail transaction. Beginning October 1, 2015, the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 surcharge shall be 3% per retail transaction. The surcharge authorized by this subsection (a) does not apply in a home rule municipality having a population in excess of 500,000.

(a-5) On or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly and until December 31, 2020, July 1, 2017, a home rule municipality having a population in excess of 500,000 on the effective date of this amendatory Act may impose a prepaid wireless 9-1-1 surcharge not to exceed 9% per retail transaction sourced to that jurisdiction and collected and remitted in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b-5) of this Section. On or after January 1, 2021, July 1, 2017, a home rule municipality having a population in excess of 500,000 on the effective date of this Act may only impose a prepaid wireless 9-1-1 surcharge not to exceed 7% per retail transaction sourced to that jurisdiction and collected and remitted in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b-5).

(b) The prepaid wireless 9-1-1 surcharge shall be collected by the seller from the consumer with respect to each retail transaction occurring in this State and shall be remitted to the Department by the seller as provided in this Act. The amount of the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 surcharge shall be separately stated as a distinct item apart from the charge for the prepaid wireless telecommunications service on an invoice, receipt, or other similar document that is provided to the consumer by the seller or shall be otherwise disclosed to the consumer. If the seller does not separately state the surcharge as a distinct item to the consumer as provided in this Section, then the seller shall maintain books and records as required by this Act which clearly identify the amount of the 9-1-1 surcharge for retail transactions.

For purposes of this subsection (b), a retail transaction occurs in this State if (i) the retail transaction is made in person by a consumer at the seller's business location and the business is located within the State; (ii) the seller is a provider and sells prepaid wireless telecommunications service to a consumer located in Illinois; (iii) the retail transaction is treated as occurring in this State for purposes of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act; or (iv) a seller that is included within the definition of a "retailer maintaining a place of business in this State" under Section 2 of the Use Tax Act makes a sale of prepaid wireless telecommunications service to a consumer located in Illinois. In the case of a retail transaction which does not occur in person at a seller's business location, if a consumer uses a credit card to purchase prepaid wireless telecommunications service on-line or over the telephone, and no product is shipped to the consumer, the transaction occurs in this State if the billing address for the consumer's credit card is in this State.

(b-5) The prepaid wireless 9-1-1 surcharge imposed under subsection (a-5) of this Section shall be collected by the seller from the consumer with respect to each retail transaction occurring in the municipality imposing the surcharge. The amount of the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 surcharge shall be separately stated on an invoice, receipt, or other similar document that is provided to the consumer by the seller or shall be otherwise disclosed to the consumer. If the seller does not separately state the surcharge as a distinct item to the consumer as provided in this Section, then the seller shall maintain books and records as required by this Act which clearly identify the amount of the 9-1-1 surcharge for retail transactions.

For purposes of this subsection (b-5), a retail transaction occurs in the municipality if (i) the retail transaction is made in person by a consumer at the seller's business location and the business is located within the municipality; (ii) the seller is a provider and sells prepaid wireless telecommunications service to a consumer located in the municipality; (iii) the retail transaction is treated as occurring in the municipality for purposes of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act; or (iv) a seller that is included within the definition of a "retailer maintaining a place of business in this State" under Section 2 of the Use Tax Act makes a sale of prepaid wireless telecommunications service to a consumer located in the municipality. In the case of a retail transaction which does not occur in person at a seller's business location, if a consumer uses a credit card to purchase prepaid wireless telecommunications service on-line or over the telephone, and no product is shipped to the consumer, the transaction occurs in the municipality if the billing address for the consumer's credit card is in the municipality.

(c) The prepaid wireless 9-1-1 surcharge is imposed on the consumer and not on any provider. The seller shall be liable to remit all prepaid wireless 9-1-1 surcharges that the seller collects from consumers as provided in Section 20, including all such surcharges that the seller is deemed to collect where the amount of the surcharge has not been separately stated on an invoice, receipt, or other similar document provided to the consumer by the seller. The surcharge collected or deemed collected by a seller shall constitute a debt owed by the seller to this State, and any such surcharge actually collected shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Department.

For purposes of this subsection (c), the surcharge shall not be imposed or collected from entities that have an active tax exemption identification number issued by the Department under Section 1g of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act.

(d) The amount of the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 surcharge that is collected by a seller from a consumer, if such amount is separately stated on an invoice, receipt, or other similar document provided to the consumer by the seller, shall not be included in the base for measuring any tax, fee, surcharge, or other charge that is imposed by this State, any political subdivision of this State, or any intergovernmental agency.

(e) (Blank).

(e-5) Any changes in the rate of the surcharge imposed by a municipality under the authority granted in subsection (a-5) of this Section shall be effective on the first day of the first calendar month to occur at least 60 days after the enactment of the change. The Department shall provide not less than 30 days' notice of the increase or reduction in the rate of such surcharge on the Department's website.

(f) When prepaid wireless telecommunications service is sold with one or more other products or services for a single, non-itemized price, then the percentage specified in subsection (a) or (a-5) of this Section 15 shall be applied to the entire non-itemized price unless the seller elects to apply the percentage to (i) the dollar amount of the prepaid wireless telecommunications service if that dollar amount is disclosed to the consumer or (ii) the portion of the price that is attributable to the prepaid wireless telecommunications service if the retailer can identify that portion by reasonable and verifiable standards from its books and records that are kept in the regular course of business for other purposes, including, but not limited to, books and records that are kept for non-tax purposes. However, if a minimal amount of prepaid wireless telecommunications service is sold with a prepaid wireless device for a single, non-itemized price, then the seller may elect not to apply the percentage specified in subsection (a) or (a-5) of this Section 15 to such transaction. For purposes of this subsection, an amount of service denominated as 10 minutes or less or $5 or less is considered minimal.

(g) The prepaid wireless 9-1-1 surcharge imposed under subsections (a) and (a-5) of this Section is not imposed on the provider or the consumer for wireless Lifeline service where the consumer does not pay the provider for the service. Where the consumer purchases from the provider optional minutes, texts, or other services in addition to the federally funded Lifeline benefit, a consumer must pay the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 surcharge, and it must be collected by the seller according to subsection (b-5).

(Source: P.A. 98-634, eff. 6-6-14; 99-6, eff. 6-29-15.)

Section 25. The Public Utilities Act is amended by reenacting Articles XIII and XXI, by changing Sections 13-102, 13-103, 13-230, 13-301.1, 13-406, 13-703, 13-1200, 21-401, and 21-1601, and by adding Sections 13-406.1, 13-904, and 21-1503 as follows:

(220 ILCS 5/Art. XIII heading)

ARTICLE XIII. TELECOMMUNICATIONS

(220 ILCS 5/13-100) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-100)

Sec. 13-100. This Article shall be known and may be cited as the Universal Telephone Service Protection Law of 1985.

(Source: P.A. 84-1063.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-101) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-101)

Sec. 13-101. Application of Act to telecommunications rates and services. The Sections of this Act pertaining to public utilities, public utility rates and services, and the regulation thereof, are fully and equally applicable to noncompetitive telecommunications rates and services, and the regulation thereof, except to the extent modified or supplemented by the specific provisions of this Article or where the context clearly renders such provisions inapplicable. Articles I through IV, Sections 5-101, 5-106, 5-108, 5-110, 5-201, 5-202.1, 5-203, 8-301, 8-305, 8-501, 8-502, 8-503, 8-505, 8-509, 8-509.5, 8-510, 9-221, 9-222, 9-222.1, 9-222.2, 9-241, 9-250, and 9-252.1, and Article X of this Act are fully and equally applicable to the noncompetitive and competitive services of an Electing Provider and to competitive telecommunications rates and services, and the regulation thereof except that Section 5-109 shall apply to the services of an Electing Provider and to competitive telecommunications rates and services only to the extent that the Commission requires annual reports authorized by Section 5-109, provided the telecommunications provider may use generally accepted accounting practices or accounting systems it uses for financial reporting purposes in the annual report, and except that Sections 8-505 and 9-250 shall not apply to competitive retail telecommunications services and Sections 8-501 and 9-241 shall not apply to competitive services; in addition, as to competitive telecommunications rates and services, and the regulation thereof, and with the exception of competitive retail telecommunications service rates and services, all rules and regulations made by a telecommunications carrier affecting or pertaining to its charges or service shall be just and reasonable. As of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly, Sections 4-202, 4-203, and 5-202 of this Act shall cease to apply to telecommunications rates and services.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-102) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-102)

Sec. 13-102. Findings. With respect to telecommunications services, as herein defined, the General Assembly finds that:

(a) universally available and widely affordable telecommunications services are essential to the health, welfare and prosperity of all Illinois citizens;

(b) federal regulatory and judicial rulings in the 1980s caused a restructuring of the telecommunications industry and opened some aspects of the industry to competitive entry, thereby necessitating revision of State telecommunications regulatory policies and practices;

(c) revisions in telecommunications regulatory policies and practices in Illinois beginning in the mid-1980s brought the benefits of competition to consumers in many telecommunications markets, but not in local exchange telecommunications service markets;

(d) the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 established the goal of opening all telecommunications service markets to competition and accords to the states the responsibility to establish and enforce policies necessary to attain that goal;

(e) it is in the immediate interest of the People of the State of Illinois for the State to exercise its rights within the new framework of federal telecommunications policy to ensure that the economic benefits of competition in all telecommunications service markets are realized as effectively as possible;

(f) the competitive offering of all telecommunications services will increase innovation and efficiency in the provision of telecommunications services and may lead to reduced prices for consumers, increased investment in communications infrastructure, the creation of new jobs, and the attraction of new businesses to Illinois; and

(g) protection of the public interest requires changes in the regulation of telecommunications carriers and services to ensure, to the maximum feasible extent, the reasonable and timely development of effective competition in all telecommunications service markets; .

(h) Illinois residents rely on today's modern wired and wireless Internet Protocol (IP) networks and services to improve their lives by connecting them to school and college degrees, work and job opportunities, family and friends, information, and entertainment, as well as emergency responders and public safety officials; Illinois businesses rely on these modern IP networks and services to compete in a global marketplace by expanding their customer base, managing inventory and operations more efficiently, and offering customers specialized and personalized products and services; without question, Illinois residents and our State's economy rely profoundly on the modern wired and wireless IP networks and services in our State;

(i) the transition from 20th century traditional circuit switched and other legacy telephone services to modern 21st century next generation Internet Protocol (IP) services is taking place at an extraordinary pace as Illinois consumers are upgrading to home communications service using IP technology, including high speed Internet, Voice over Internet Protocol, and wireless service;

(j) this rapid transition to IP-based communications has dramatically transformed the way people communicate and has provided significant benefits to consumers in the form of innovative functionalities resulting from the seamless convergence of voice, video, and text, benefits realized by the General Assembly when it chose to transition its own telecommunications system to an all IP communications network in 2016;

(k) the benefits of the transition to IP-based networks and services were also recognized by the General Assembly in 2015 through the enactment of legislation requiring that every 9-1-1 emergency system in Illinois provide Next Generation 9-1-1 service by July 1, 2020, and requiring that the Next Generation 9-1-1 network must be an IP-based platform; and

(l) completing the transition to all IP-based networks and technologies is in the public interest because it will promote continued innovation, consumer benefits, increased efficiencies, and increased investment in IP-based networks and services.

(Source: P.A. 90-185, eff. 7-23-97.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-103) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-103)

Sec. 13-103. Policy. Consistent with its findings, the General Assembly declares that it is the policy of the State of Illinois that:

(a) telecommunications services should be available to all Illinois citizens at just, reasonable, and affordable rates and that such services should be provided as widely and economically as possible in sufficient variety, quality, quantity and reliability to satisfy the public interest;

(b) consistent with the protection of consumers of telecommunications services and the furtherance of other public interest goals, competition in all telecommunications service markets should be pursued as a substitute for regulation in determining the variety, quality and price of telecommunications services and that the economic burdens of regulation should be reduced to the extent possible consistent with the furtherance of market competition and protection of the public interest;

(c) all necessary and appropriate modifications to State regulation of telecommunications carriers and services should be implemented without unnecessary disruption to the telecommunications infrastructure system or to consumers of telecommunications services and that it is necessary and appropriate to establish rules to encourage and ensure orderly transitions in the development of markets for all telecommunications services;

(d) the consumers of telecommunications services and facilities provided by persons or companies subject to regulation pursuant to this Act and Article should be required to pay only reasonable and non-discriminatory rates or charges and that in no case should rates or charges for non-competitive telecommunications services include any portion of the cost of providing competitive telecommunications services, as defined in Section 13-209, or the cost of any nonregulated activities;

(e) the regulatory policies and procedures provided in this Article are established in recognition of the changing nature of the telecommunications industry and therefore should be subject to systematic legislative review to ensure that the public benefits intended to result from such policies and procedures are fully realized; and

(f) development of and prudent investment in advanced telecommunications services and networks that foster economic development of the State should be encouraged through the implementation and enforcement of policies that promote effective and sustained competition in all telecommunications service markets; and .

(g) completion of the transition to modern IP-based networks should be encouraged through relief from the outdated regulations that require continued investment in legacy circuit switched networks from which Illinois consumers have largely transitioned, while at the same time ensuring that consumers have access to available alternative services that provide quality voice service and access to emergency communications.

(Source: P.A. 90-185, eff. 7-23-97.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-201) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-201)

Sec. 13-201. Unless otherwise specified, the terms set forth in the following Sections preceding Section 13-301 of this Article are used in this Act and Article as herein defined.

(Source: P.A. 85-1405.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-202) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-202)

Sec. 13-202. "Telecommunications carrier" means and includes every corporation, company, association, joint stock company or association, firm, partnership or individual, their lessees, trustees or receivers appointed by any court whatsoever that owns, controls, operates or manages, within this State, directly or indirectly, for public use, any plant, equipment or property used or to be used for or in connection with, or owns or controls any franchise, license, permit or right to engage in the provision of, telecommunications services between points within the State which are specified by the user. "Telecommunications carrier" includes an Electing Provider, as defined in Section 13-506.2. Telecommunications carrier does not include, however:

(a) telecommunications carriers that are owned and operated by any political subdivision, public or private institution of higher education or municipal corporation of this State, for their own use, or telecommunications carriers that are owned by such political subdivision, public or private institution of higher education, or municipal corporation and operated by any of its lessees or operating agents, for their own use;

(b) telecommunications carriers which are purely mutual concerns, having no rates or charges for services, but paying the operating expenses by assessment upon the members of such a company and no other person but does include telephone or telecommunications cooperatives as defined in Section 13-212;

(c) a company or person which provides telecommunications services solely to itself and its affiliates or members or between points in the same building, or between closely located buildings, affiliated through substantial common ownership, control or development; or

(d) a company or person engaged in the delivery of community antenna television services as described in subdivision (c) of Section 13-203, except with respect to the provision of telecommunications services by that company or person.

(Source: P.A. 96-927, eff. 6-15-10.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-202.5)

Sec. 13-202.5. Incumbent local exchange carrier. "Incumbent local exchange carrier" means, with respect to an area, the telecommunications carrier that provided noncompetitive local exchange telecommunications service in that area on February 8, 1996, and on that date was deemed a member of the exchange carrier association pursuant to 47 C.F.R. 69.601(b), and includes its successors, assigns, and affiliates.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-203) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-203)

Sec. 13-203. Telecommunications service.

"Telecommunications service" means the provision or offering for rent, sale or lease, or in exchange for other value received, of the transmittal of information, by means of electromagnetic, including light, transmission with or without benefit of any closed transmission medium, including all instrumentalities, facilities, apparatus, and services (including the collection, storage, forwarding, switching, and delivery of such information) used to provide such transmission and also includes access and interconnection arrangements and services.

"Telecommunications service" does not include, however:

(a) the rent, sale, or lease, or exchange for other value received, of customer premises equipment except for customer premises equipment owned or provided by a telecommunications carrier and used for answering 911 calls, and except for customer premises equipment provided under Section 13-703;

(b) telephone or telecommunications answering services, paging services, and physical pickup and delivery incidental to the provision of information transmitted through electromagnetic, including light, transmission;

(c) community antenna television service which is operated to perform for hire the service of receiving and distributing video and audio program signals by wire, cable or other means to members of the public who subscribe to such service, to the extent that such service is utilized solely for the one-way distribution of such entertainment services with no more than incidental subscriber interaction required for the selection of such entertainment service.

The Commission may, by rulemaking, exclude (1) private line service which is not directly or indirectly used for the origination or termination of switched telecommunications service, (2) cellular radio service, (3) high-speed point-to-point data transmission at or above 9.6 kilobits, or (4) the provision of telecommunications service by a company or person otherwise subject to Section 13-202 (c) to a telecommunications carrier, which is incidental to the provision of service subject to Section 13-202 (c), from active regulatory oversight to the extent it finds, after notice, hearing and comment that such exclusion is consistent with the public interest and the purposes and policies of this Article. To the extent that the Commission has excluded cellular radio service from active regulatory oversight for any provider of cellular radio service in this State pursuant to this Section, the Commission shall exclude all other providers of cellular radio service in the State from active regulatory oversight without an additional rulemaking proceeding where there are 2 or more certified providers of cellular radio service in a geographic area.

(Source: P.A. 90-185, eff. 7-23-97.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-204) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-204)

Sec. 13-204. "Local Exchange Telecommunications Service" means telecommunications service between points within an exchange, as defined in Section 13-206, or the provision of telecommunications service for the origination or termination of switched telecommunications services.

(Source: P.A. 84-1063.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-205) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-205)

Sec. 13-205. "Interexchange Telecommunications Service" means telecommunications service between points in two or more exchanges.

(Source: P.A. 84-1063.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-206) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-206)

Sec. 13-206. Exchange. "Exchange" means a geographical area for the administration of telecommunications services, established and described by the tariff of a telecommunications carrier providing local exchange telecommunications service, and consisting of one or more contiguous central offices, together with associated facilities used in providing such local exchange telecommunications service. To the extent practicable, a municipality, city, or village shall not be located in more than one exchange unless the municipality, city, or village is located in more than one exchange through annexation that occurs after the establishment of the exchange boundary.

(Source: P.A. 87-856.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-207) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-207)

Sec. 13-207. "Local Access and Transport Area (LATA)" means a geographical area designated by the Modification of Final Judgment in U.S. v. Western Electric Co., Inc., 552 F. Supp. 131 (D.D.C. 1982), as modified from time to time.

(Source: P.A. 84-1063.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-208) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-208)

Sec. 13-208. "Market Service Area (MSA)" means a geographical area consisting of one or more exchanges, defined by the Commission for the administration of tariffs, services and other regulatory obligations. The term Market Service Area includes those areas previously designated by the Commission.

(Source: P.A. 84-1063.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-209) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-209)

Sec. 13-209. "Competitive Telecommunications Service" means a telecommunications service, its functional equivalent or a substitute service, which, for some identifiable class or group of customers in an exchange, group of exchanges, or some other clearly defined geographical area, is reasonably available from more than one provider, whether or not such provider is a telecommunications carrier subject to regulation under this Act. A telecommunications service may be competitive for the entire state, some geographical area therein, including an exchange or set of exchanges, or for a specific customer or class or group of customers, but only to the extent consistent with this definition.

(Source: P.A. 84-1063.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-210) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-210)

Sec. 13-210. "Noncompetitive Telecommunications Service" means a telecommunications service other than a competitive service as defined in Section 13-209.

(Source: P.A. 84-1063.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-211) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-211)

Sec. 13-211. "Resale of Telecommunications Service" means the offering or provision of telecommunications service primarily through the use of services or facilities owned or provided by a separate telecommunications carrier.

(Source: P.A. 84-1063.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-212) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-212)

Sec. 13-212. "Telephone or Telecommunications Cooperative" means any Illinois corporation organized on a cooperative basis for the furnishing of telephone or telecommunications service.

(Source: P.A. 84-1063.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-213) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-213)

Sec. 13-213. "Hearing-aid compatible telephone" means a telephone so equipped that it can activate an inductive coupling hearing-aid or which will provide an alternative technology that provides equally effective telephone service and which will provide equipment necessary for the hearing impaired to use generally available telecommunications services effectively or without assistance.

(Source: P.A. 85-1405.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-214) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-214)

Sec. 13-214. (a) "Public mobile services" means air-to-ground radio telephone services, cellular radio telecommunications services, offshore radio, rural radio service, public land mobile telephone service and other common carrier radio communications services.

(b) "Private radio services" means private land mobile radio services and other communications services characterized by the Commission as private radio services.

(Source: P.A. 85-1405.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-215) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-215)

Sec. 13-215. (a) "Essential telephones" means all coin operated telephones in any public or semi-public location, telephones provided for emergency use, a reasonable percentage of telephones in hotels, motels, hospitals and nursing homes and a reasonable percentage of credit card operated telephones in any group of such telephones.

(b) "Emergency use telephones" includes all telephones intended primarily to save persons from bodily injury, theft or life threatening situations. This definition includes, but is not limited to telephones in elevators, on highways and telephones to alert police, a fire department or other emergency service providers.

(Source: P.A. 85-1405.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-216)

Sec. 13-216. Network element. "Network element" means a facility or equipment used in the provision of a telecommunications service. The term also includes features, functions, and capabilities that are provided by means of the facility or equipment, including, but not limited to, subscriber numbers, databases, signaling systems, and information sufficient for billing and collection or used in the transmission, routing, or other provision of a telecommunications service.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-217)

Sec. 13-217. End user. "End user" means any person, corporation, partnership, firm, municipality, cooperative, organization, governmental agency, building owner, or other entity provided with a telecommunications service for its own consumption and not for resale.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-218)

Sec. 13-218. Business end user. "Business end user" means (1) an end user engaged primarily or substantially in a paid commercial, professional, or institutional activity; (2) an end user provided telecommunications service in a commercial, professional, or institutional location, or other location serving primarily or substantially as a site of an activity for pay; (3) an end user whose telecommunications service is listed as the principal or only number for a business in any yellow pages directory; (4) an end user whose telecommunications service is used to conduct promotions, solicitations, or market research for which compensation or reimbursement is paid or provided; provided, however, that the use of telecommunications service, without compensation or reimbursement, for a charitable or civic purpose shall not constitute business use of a telecommunications service.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-219)

Sec. 13-219. Residential end user. "Residential end user" means an end user other than a business end user.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-220)

Sec. 13-220. Retail telecommunications service. "Retail telecommunications service" means a telecommunications service sold to an end user. "Retail telecommunications service" does not include a telecommunications service provided by a telecommunications carrier to a telecommunications carrier, including to itself, as a component of, or for the provision of, telecommunications service. A business retail telecommunications service is a retail telecommunications service provided to a business end user. A residential retail telecommunications service is a retail telecommunications service provided to a residential end user.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-230)

Sec. 13-230. Prepaid calling service. "Prepaid calling service" means telecommunications service that must be paid for in advance by an end user, enables the end user to originate calls using an access number or authorization code, whether manually or electronically dialed, and is sold in predetermined units or dollars of which the number declines with use in a known amount. A prepaid calling service call is a call made by an end user using prepaid calling service. "Prepaid calling service" does not include a wireless telecommunications service that allows a caller to dial 9-1-1 to access the 9-1-1 system, which service must be paid for in advance, and is sold in predetermined units or dollars and the amount declines with use in a known amount prepaid wireless telecommunications service as defined in Section 10 of the Wireless Emergency Telephone Safety Act.

(Source: P.A. 97-463, eff. 1-1-12.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-231)

Sec. 13-231. Prepaid calling service provider. "Prepaid calling service provider" means and includes every corporation, company, association, joint stock company or association, firm, partnership, or individual and their lessees, trustees, or receivers appointed by any court whatsoever that contracts directly with a telecommunications carrier to resell or offers to resell telecommunications service as prepaid calling service to one or more distributors, prepaid calling resellers, prepaid calling service retailers, or end users.

(Source: P.A. 93-1002, eff. 1-1-05.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-232)

Sec. 13-232. Prepaid calling service retailer. "Prepaid calling service retailer" means and includes every corporation, company, association, joint stock company or association, firm, partnership, or individual and their lessees, trustees, or receivers appointed by any court whatsoever that sells or offers to sell prepaid calling service directly to one or more end users.

(Source: P.A. 93-1002, eff. 1-1-05.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-233)

Sec. 13-233. Prepaid calling service reseller. "Prepaid calling service reseller" means and includes every corporation, company, association, joint stock company or association, firm, partnership, or individual and their lessees, trustees, or receivers appointed by any court whatsoever that purchases prepaid calling services from a prepaid calling service provider or distributor and sells those services to one or more distributors of prepaid calling services or to one or more prepaid calling service retailers.

(Source: P.A. 93-1002, eff. 1-1-05.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-234)

Sec. 13-234. Interconnected voice over Internet protocol service. "Interconnected voice over Internet protocol service" or "Interconnected VoIP service" has the meaning prescribed in 47 CFR 9.3 as defined on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly or as amended thereafter.

(Source: P.A. 96-927, eff. 6-15-10.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-235)

Sec. 13-235. Interconnected voice over Internet protocol provider. "Interconnected voice over Internet protocol provider" or "Interconnected VoIP provider" means and includes every corporation, company, association, joint stock company or association, firm, partnership, or individual, their lessees, trustees, or receivers appointed by any court whatsoever that owns, controls, operates, manages, or provides within this State, directly or indirectly, Interconnected voice over Internet protocol service.

(Source: P.A. 96-927, eff. 6-15-10.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-301) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-301)

Sec. 13-301. Duties of the Commission.

(1) Consistent with the findings and policy established in paragraph (a) of Section 13-102 and paragraph (a) of Section 13-103, and in order to ensure the attainment of such policies, the Commission shall:

(a) participate in all federal programs intended to preserve or extend universal telecommunications service, unless such programs would place cost burdens on Illinois customers of telecommunications services in excess of the benefits they would receive through participation, provided, however, the Commission shall not approve or permit the imposition of any surcharge or other fee designed to subsidize or provide a waiver for subscriber line charges; and shall report on such programs together with an assessment of their adequacy and the advisability of participating therein in its annual report to the General Assembly, or more often as necessary;

(b) (blank);

(c) order all telecommunications carriers offering or providing local exchange telecommunications service to propose low-cost or budget service tariffs and any other rate design or pricing mechanisms designed to facilitate customer access to such telecommunications service, provided that services offered by any telecommunications carrier at the rates, terms, and conditions specified in Section 13-506.2 or Section 13-518 of this Article shall constitute compliance with this Section. A telecommunications carrier may seek Commission approval of other low-cost or budget service tariffs or rate design or pricing mechanisms to comply with this Section;

(d) investigate the necessity of and, if appropriate, establish a universal service support fund from which local exchange telecommunications carriers who pursuant to the Twenty-Seventh Interim Order of the Commission in Docket No. 83-0142 or the orders of the Commission in Docket No. 97-0621 and Docket No. 98-0679 received funding and whose economic costs of providing services for which universal service support may be made available exceed the affordable rate established by the Commission for such services may be eligible to receive support, less any federal universal service support received for the same or similar costs of providing the supported services; provided, however, that if a universal service support fund is established, the Commission shall require that all costs of the fund be recovered from all local exchange and interexchange telecommunications carriers certificated in Illinois on a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory basis. In establishing any such universal service support fund, the Commission shall, in addition to the determination of costs for supported services, consider and make findings pursuant to subsection (2) of this Section. Proxy cost, as determined by the Commission, may be used for this purpose. In determining cost recovery for any universal service support fund, the Commission shall not permit recovery of such costs from another certificated carrier for any service purchased and used solely as an input to a service provided to such certificated carrier's retail customers.

(2) In any order creating a fund pursuant to paragraph (d) of subsection (1), the Commission, after notice and hearing, shall:

(a) Define the group of services to be declared "supported telecommunications services" that constitute "universal service". This group of services shall, at a minimum, include those services as defined by the Federal Communications Commission and as from time to time amended. In addition, the Commission shall consider the range of services currently offered by telecommunications carriers offering local exchange telecommunications service, the existing rate structures for the supported telecommunications services, and the telecommunications needs of Illinois consumers in determining the supported telecommunications services. The Commission shall, from time to time or upon request, review and, if appropriate, revise the group of Illinois supported telecommunications services and the terms of the fund to reflect changes or enhancements in telecommunications needs, technologies, and available services.

(b) Identify all implicit subsidies contained in rates or charges of incumbent local exchange carriers, including all subsidies in interexchange access charges, and determine how such subsidies can be made explicit by the creation of the fund.

(c) Establish an affordable price for the supported telecommunications services for the respective incumbent local exchange carrier. The affordable price shall be no less than the rates in effect at the time the Commission creates a fund pursuant to this item. The Commission may establish and utilize indices or models for updating the affordable price for supported telecommunications services.

(Source: P.A. 96-927, eff. 6-15-10.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-301.1) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-301.1)

Sec. 13-301.1. Universal Telephone Service Assistance Program.

(a) The Commission shall by rule or regulation establish a Universal Telephone Service Assistance Program for low income residential customers. The program shall provide for a reduction of access line charges, a reduction of connection charges, or any other alternative assistance or program to increase accessibility to telephone service and broadband Internet access service that the Commission deems advisable subject to the availability of funds for the program as provided in subsections subsection (d) and (e). The Commission shall establish eligibility requirements for benefits under the program.

(b) The Commission shall adopt rules providing for enhanced enrollment for eligible consumers to receive lifeline service. Enhanced enrollment may include, but is not limited to, joint marketing, joint application, or joint processing with the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Medicaid Program, and the Food Stamp Program. The Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, upon request of the Commission, shall assist in the adoption and implementation of those rules. The Commission and the Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may enter into memoranda of understanding establishing the respective duties of the Commission and the Departments in relation to enhanced enrollment.

(c) In this Section: ,

"Lifeline "lifeline service" means a retail local service offering described by 47 CFR C.F.R. Section 54.401(a), as amended.

(d) The Commission shall require by rule or regulation that each telecommunications carrier providing local exchange telecommunications services notify its customers that if the customer wishes to participate in the funding of the Universal Telephone Service Assistance Program he may do so by electing to contribute, on a monthly basis, a fixed amount that will be included in the customer's monthly bill. The customer may cease contributing at any time upon providing notice to the telecommunications carrier providing local exchange telecommunications services. The notice shall state that any contribution made will not reduce the customer's bill for telecommunications services. Failure to remit the amount of increased payment will reduce the contribution accordingly. The Commission shall specify the monthly fixed amount or amounts that customers wishing to contribute to the funding of the Universal Telephone Service Assistance Program may choose from in making their contributions. Every telecommunications carrier providing local exchange telecommunications services shall remit the amounts contributed in accordance with the terms of the Universal Telephone Service Assistance Program.

(e) Amounts collected and remitted under subsection (d) may, to the extent the Commission deems advisable, be used for funding a program to be administered by the entity designated by the Commission as administrator of the Universal Telephone Service Assistance Program for educating and assisting low-income residential customers with a transition to Internet protocol-based networks and services. This program may include, but need not be limited to, measures designed to notify and educate residential customers regarding the availability of alternative voice services with access to 9-1-1, access to and use of broadband Internet access service, and pricing options.

(Source: P.A. 94-793, eff. 5-19-06; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)"; and

(220 ILCS 5/13-301.2)

Sec. 13-301.2. Program to Foster Elimination of the Digital Divide. The Commission shall require by rule that each telecommunications carrier providing local exchange telecommunications service notify its end-user customers that if the customer wishes to participate in the funding of the Program to Foster Elimination of the Digital Divide he or she may do so by electing to contribute, on a monthly basis, a fixed amount that will be included in the customer's monthly bill. The obligations imposed in this Section shall not be imposed upon a telecommunications carrier for any of its end-users subscribing to the services listed below: (1) private line service which is not directly or indirectly used for the origination or termination of switched telecommunications service, (2) cellular radio service, (3) high-speed point-to-point data transmission at or above 9.6 kilobits, (4) the provision of telecommunications service by a company or person otherwise subject to subsection (c) of Section 13-202 to a telecommunications carrier, which is incidental to the provision of service subject to subsection (c) of Section 13-202; (5) pay telephone service; or (6) interexchange telecommunications service. The customer may cease contributing at any time upon providing notice to the telecommunications carrier. The notice shall state that any contribution made will not reduce the customer's bill for telecommunications services. Failure to remit the amount of increased payment will reduce the contribution accordingly. The Commission shall specify the monthly fixed amount or amounts that customers wishing to contribute to the funding of the Program to Foster Elimination of the Digital Divide may choose from in making their contributions. A telecommunications carrier subject to this obligation shall remit the amounts contributed by its customers to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for deposit in the Digital Divide Elimination Fund at the intervals specified in the Commission rules.

(Source: P.A. 93-358, eff. 1-1-04; 94-793, eff. 5-19-06.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-301.3)

Sec. 13-301.3. Digital Divide Elimination Infrastructure Program.

(a) The Digital Divide Elimination Infrastructure Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. All moneys in the Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the Commission to fund (i) the construction of facilities specified in Commission rules adopted under this Section and (ii) the accessible electronic information program, as provided in Section 20 of the Accessible Electronic Information Act. The Commission may accept private and public funds, including federal funds, for deposit into the Fund. Earnings attributable to moneys in the Fund shall be deposited into the Fund.

(b) The Commission shall adopt rules under which it will make grants out of funds appropriated from the Digital Divide Elimination Infrastructure Fund to eligible entities as specified in the rules for the construction of high-speed data transmission facilities in eligible areas of the State. For purposes of determining whether an area is an eligible area, the Commission shall consider, among other things, whether (i) in such area, advanced telecommunications services, as defined in subsection (c) of Section 13-517 of this Act, are under-provided to residential or small business end users, either directly or indirectly through an Internet Service Provider, (ii) such area has a low population density, and (iii) such area has not yet developed a competitive market for advanced services. In addition, if an entity seeking a grant of funds from the Digital Divide Elimination Infrastructure Fund is an incumbent local exchange carrier having the duty to serve such area, and the obligation to provide advanced services to such area pursuant to Section 13-517 of this Act, the entity shall demonstrate that it has sought and obtained an exemption from such obligation pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 13-517. Any entity seeking a grant of funds from the Digital Divide Elimination Infrastructure Fund shall demonstrate to the Commission that the grant shall be used for the construction of high-speed data transmission facilities in an eligible area and demonstrate that it satisfies all other requirements of the Commission's rules. The Commission shall determine the information that it deems necessary to award grants pursuant to this Section.

(c) The rules of the Commission shall provide for the competitive selection of recipients of grant funds available from the Digital Divide Elimination Infrastructure Fund pursuant to the Illinois Procurement Code. Grants shall be awarded to bidders chosen on the basis of the criteria established in such rules.

(d) All entities awarded grant moneys under this Section shall maintain all records required by Commission rule for the period of time specified in the rules. Such records shall be subject to audit by the Commission, by any auditor appointed by the State, or by any State officer authorized to conduct audits.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01; 93-306, eff. 7-23-03; 93-797, eff. 7-22-04.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-302) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-302)

Sec. 13-302. (a) No telecommunications carrier shall implement a local measured service calling plan which does not include one of the following elements:

(1) the residential customer has the option of a flat rate local calling service under which local calls are not charged for frequency or duration; or

(2) residential calls to points within an untimed calling zone approved by the Commission are not charged for duration; or

(3) a low income residential Universal Service Assistance Program, which meets criteria set forth by the Commission, is available.

(b) In formulating the criteria for the low income residential Universal Service Assistance Program referred to in paragraph (3) of subsection (a), the Commission shall consider the desirability of various alternatives, including a reduction of the access line charge or connection charge for eligible customers.

(c) For local measured service plans implemented prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1987 which do not contain one of the elements specified in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this Section, the Commission shall order the telecommunications carrier having such a plan to include one of the elements specified in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this Section by January 1, 1989.

(Source: P.A. 85-1286.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-303)

Sec. 13-303. Action to enforce law or orders. Whenever the Commission is of the opinion that a telecommunications carrier is failing or omitting, or is about to fail or omit, to do anything required of it by law or by an order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, or requirement of the Commission or is doing or permitting anything to be done, or is about to do anything or is about to permit anything to be done, contrary to or in violation of law or an order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, or requirement of the Commission, the Commission shall file an action or proceeding in the circuit court in and for the county in which the case or some part thereof arose or in which the telecommunications carrier complained of has its principal place of business, in the name of the People of the State of Illinois for the purpose of having the violation or threatened violation stopped and prevented either by mandamus or injunction. The Commission may express its opinion in a resolution based upon whatever factual information has come to its attention and may issue the resolution ex parte and without holding any administrative hearing before bringing suit. Except in cases involving an imminent threat to the public health and safety, no such resolution shall be adopted until 48 hours after the telecommunications carrier has been given notice of (i) the substance of the alleged violation, including citation to the law, order, decision, rule, regulation, or direction of the Commission alleged to have been violated and (ii) the time and the date of the meeting at which such resolution will first be before the Commission for consideration.

The Commission shall file the action or proceeding by complaint in the circuit court alleging the violation or threatened violation complained of and praying for appropriate relief by way of mandamus or injunction. It shall be the duty of the court to specify a time, not exceeding 20 days after the service of the copy of the complaint, within which the telecommunications carrier complained of must answer the complaint, and in the meantime the telecommunications carrier may be restrained. In case of default in answer or after answer, the court shall immediately inquire into the facts and circumstances of the case. The telecommunications carrier and persons that the court may deem necessary or proper may be joined as parties. The final judgment in any action or proceeding shall either dismiss the action or proceeding or grant relief by mandamus or injunction as prayed for in the complaint, or in such modified or other form as will afford appropriate relief in the court's judgment.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-303.5)

Sec. 13-303.5. Injunctive relief. If, after a hearing, the Commission determines that a telecommunications carrier has violated this Act or a Commission order or rule, any telecommunications carrier adversely affected by the violation may seek injunctive relief in circuit court.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-304)

Sec. 13-304. Action to recover civil penalties.

(a) The Commission shall assess and collect all civil penalties established under this Act against telecommunications carriers, corporations other than telecommunications carriers, and persons acting as telecommunications carriers. Except for the penalties provided under Section 2-202, civil penalties may be assessed only after notice and opportunity to be heard. Any such civil penalty may be compromised by the Commission. In determining the amount of the civil penalty to be assessed, or the amount of the civil penalty to be compromised, the Commission is authorized to consider any matters of record in aggravation or mitigation of the penalty, including but not limited to the following:

(1) the duration and gravity of the violation of the Act, the rules, or the order of the Commission;

(2) the presence or absence of due diligence on the part of the violator in attempting either to comply with requirements of the Act, the rules, or the order of the Commission, or to secure lawful relief from those requirements;

(3) any economic benefits accrued by the violator because of the delay in compliance with requirements of the Act, the rules, or the order of the Commission; and

(4) the amount of monetary penalty that will serve to deter further violations by the violator and to otherwise aid in enhancing voluntary compliance with the Act, the rules, or the order of the Commission by the violator and other persons similarly subject to the Act.

(b) If timely judicial review of a Commission order that imposes a civil penalty is taken by a telecommunications carrier, a corporation other than a telecommunications carrier, or a person acting as a telecommunications carrier on whom or on which the civil penalty has been imposed, the reviewing court shall enter a judgment on all amounts upon affirmance of the Commission order. If timely judicial review is not taken and the civil penalty remains unpaid for 60 days after service of the order, the Commission in its discretion may either begin revocation proceedings or bring suit to recover the penalties. Unless stayed by a reviewing court, interest shall accrue from the 60th day after the date of service of the Commission order to the date full payment is received by the Commission.

(c) Actions to recover delinquent civil penalties under this Section shall be brought in the name of the People of the State of Illinois in the circuit court in and for the county in which the cause, or some part thereof, arose, or in which the entity complained of resides. The action shall be commenced and prosecuted to final judgement by the Commission. In any such action, all interest incurred up to the time of final court judgment may be recovered in that action. In all such actions, the procedure and rules of evidence shall be the same as in ordinary civil actions, except as otherwise herein provided. Any such action may be compromised or discontinued on application of the Commission upon such terms as the court shall approve and order.

(d) Civil penalties related to the late filing of reports, taxes, or other filings shall be paid into the State treasury to the credit of the Public Utility Fund. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, all other fines and civil penalties shall be paid into the State treasury to the credit of the General Revenue Fund.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-305)

Sec. 13-305. Amount of civil penalty. A telecommunications carrier, any corporation other than a telecommunications carrier, or any person acting as a telecommunications carrier that violates or fails to comply with any provisions of this Act or that fails to obey, observe, or comply with any order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, or requirement, or any part or provision thereof, of the Commission, made or issued under authority of this Act, in a case in which a civil penalty is not otherwise provided for in this Act, but excepting Section 5-202 of the Act, shall be subject to a civil penalty imposed in the manner provided in Section 13-304 of no more than $30,000 or 0.00825% of the carrier's gross intrastate annual telecommunications revenue, whichever is greater, for each offense unless the violator has fewer than 35,000 subscriber access lines, in which case the civil penalty may not exceed $2,000 for each offense.

A telecommunications carrier subject to administrative penalties resulting from a final Commission order approving an intercorporate transaction entered pursuant to Section 7-204 of this Act shall be subject to penalties under this Section imposed for the same conduct only to the extent that such penalties exceed those imposed by the final Commission order.

Every violation of the provisions of this Act or of any order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, or requirement of the Commission, or any part or provision thereof, by any corporation or person, is a separate and distinct offense. Penalties under this Section shall attach and begin to accrue from the day after written notice is delivered to such party or parties that they are in violation of or have failed to comply with this Act or an order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, or requirement of the Commission, or part or provision thereof. In case of a continuing violation, each day's continuance thereof shall be a separate and distinct offense.

In construing and enforcing the provisions of this Act relating to penalties, the act, omission, or failure of any officer, agent, or employee of any telecommunications carrier or of any person acting within the scope of his or her duties or employment shall in every case be deemed to be the act, omission, or failure of such telecommunications carrier or person.

If the party who has violated or failed to comply with this Act or an order, decision, rule, regulation, direction, or requirement of the Commission, or any part or provision thereof, fails to seek timely review pursuant to Sections 10-113 and 10-201 of this Act, the party shall, upon expiration of the statutory time limit, be subject to the civil penalty provision of this Section.

Twenty percent of all moneys collected under this Section shall be deposited into the Digital Divide Elimination Fund and 20% of all moneys collected under this Section shall be deposited into the Digital Divide Elimination Infrastructure Fund.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-401) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-401)

Sec. 13-401. Certificate of Service Authority.

(a) No telecommunications carrier not possessing a certificate of public convenience and necessity or certificate of authority from the Commission at the time this Article goes into effect shall transact any business in this State until it shall have obtained a certificate of service authority from the Commission pursuant to the provisions of this Article.

No telecommunications carrier offering or providing, or seeking to offer or provide, any interexchange telecommunications service shall do so until it has applied for and received a Certificate of Interexchange Service Authority pursuant to the provisions of Section 13-403. No telecommunications carrier offering or providing, or seeking to offer or provide, any local exchange telecommunications service shall do so until it has applied for and received a Certificate of Exchange Service Authority pursuant to the provisions of Section 13-405.

Notwithstanding Sections 13-403, 13-404, and 13-405, the Commission shall approve a cellular radio application for a Certificate of Service Authority without a hearing upon a showing by the cellular applicant that the Federal Communications Commission has issued to it a construction permit or an operating license to construct or operate a cellular radio system in the area as defined by the Federal Communications Commission, or portion of the area, for which the carrier seeks a Certificate of Service Authority.

No Certificate of Service Authority issued by the Commission shall be construed as granting a monopoly or exclusive privilege, immunity or franchise. The issuance of a Certificate of Service Authority to any telecommunications carrier shall not preclude the Commission from issuing additional Certificates of Service Authority to other telecommunications carriers providing the same or equivalent service or serving the same geographical area or customers as any previously certified carrier, except to the extent otherwise provided by Sections 13-403 and 13-405.

Any certificate of public convenience and necessity granted by the Commission to a telecommunications carrier prior to the effective date of this Article shall remain in full force and effect, and such carriers need not apply for a Certificate of Service Authority in order to continue offering or providing service to the extent authorized in such certificate of public convenience and necessity. Any such carrier, however, prior to substantially altering the nature or scope of services provided under a certificate of public convenience and necessity, or adding or expanding services beyond the authority contained in such certificate, must apply for a Certificate of Service Authority for such alterations or additions pursuant to the provisions of this Article.

The Commission shall review and modify the terms of any certificate of public convenience and necessity issued to a telecommunications carrier prior to the effective date of this Article in order to ensure its conformity with the requirements and policies of this Article. Any Certificate of Service Authority may be altered or modified by the Commission, after notice and hearing, upon its own motion or upon application of the person or company affected. Unless exercised within a period of two years from the issuance thereof, authority conferred by a Certificate of Service Authority shall be null and void.

(b) The Commission may issue a temporary Certificate which shall remain in force not to exceed one year in cases of emergency, to assure maintenance of adequate service or to serve particular customers, without notice and hearing, pending the determination of an application for a Certificate, and may by regulation exempt from the requirements of this Section temporary acts or operations for which the issuance of a certificate is not necessary in the public interest and which will not be required therefor.

(Source: P.A. 87-856.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-401.1)

Sec. 13-401.1. Interconnected voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service provider registration.

(a) An Interconnected VoIP provider providing fixed or non-nomadic service in Illinois on December 1, 2010 shall register with the Commission no later than January 1, 2011. All other Interconnected VoIP providers providing fixed or non-nomadic service in Illinois shall register with the Commission at least 30 days before providing service in Illinois. The Commission shall prescribe a registration form no later than October 1, 2010. The registration form prescribed by the Commission shall only require the following information:

(1) the provider's legal name and any name under which the provider does or will do business in Illinois, as authorized by the Secretary of State;

(2) the provider's address and telephone number, along with contact information for the person responsible for ongoing communications with the Commission;

(3) a description of the provider's dispute resolution process and, if any, the telephone number to initiate the dispute resolution process; and

(4) a description of each exchange of a local exchange company, in whole or in part, or the cities, towns, or geographic areas, in whole or in part, in which the provider is offering or proposes to offer Interconnected VoIP service.

A provider must notify the Commission of any change in the information identified in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), or (4) of this subsection (a) within 5 business days after any such change.

(b) A provider shall charge and collect from its end-user customers, and remit to the appropriate authority, fees and surcharges in the same manner as are charged and collected upon end-user customers of local exchange telecommunications service and remitted by local exchange telecommunications companies for local enhanced 9-1-1 surcharges.

(c) A provider may designate information that it submits in its registration form or subsequent reports as confidential or proprietary, provided that the provider states the reasons the confidential designation is necessary. The Commission shall provide adequate protection for such information pursuant to Section 4-404 of this Act. If the Commission or any other party seeks public disclosure of information designated as confidential, the Commission shall consider the confidential designation in a proceeding under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, and the burden of proof to demonstrate that the designated information is confidential shall be upon the provider. Designated information shall remain confidential pending the Commission's determination of whether the information is entitled to confidential treatment. Information designated as confidential shall be provided to local units of government for purposes of assessing compliance with this Article as permitted under a protective order issued by the Commission pursuant to the Commission's rules and to the Attorney General pursuant to Section 6.5 of the Attorney General Act. Information designated as confidential under this Section or determined to be confidential upon Commission review shall only be disclosed pursuant to a valid and enforceable subpoena or court order or as required by the Freedom of Information Act.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Commission shall have the authority, after notice and hearing, to revoke or suspend the registration of any provider that fails to comply with the requirements of this Section.

(e) The provisions of this Section are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.

(Source: P.A. 96-927, eff. 6-15-10.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-402) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-402)

Sec. 13-402. The Commission is authorized, in connection with the issuance or modification of a Certificate of Interexchange Service Authority or the modification of a certificate of public convenience and necessity for interexchange telecommunications service, to waive or modify the application of its rules, general orders, procedures or notice requirements when such action will reduce the economic burdens of regulation and such waiver or modification is not inconsistent with the law or the purposes and policies of this Article.

Any such waiver or modification granted to any interexchange telecommunications carrier which has, or any group of such carriers any one of which has annual revenues exceeding $10,000,000 shall be automatically applied fully and equally to all such carriers with annual revenues exceeding $10,000,000 unless the Commission specifically finds, after notice to all such carriers and a hearing, that restricting the application of such waiver or modification to only one such carrier or some group of such carriers is consistent with and would promote the purposes and policies of this Article and the protection of telecommunications customers.

(Source: P.A. 84-1063.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-403) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-403)

Sec. 13-403. Interexchange service authority; approval. The Commission shall approve an application for a Certificate of Interexchange Service Authority only upon a showing by the applicant, and a finding by the Commission, after notice and hearing, that the applicant possesses sufficient technical, financial and managerial resources and abilities to provide interexchange telecommunications service. The removal from this Section of the dialing restrictions by this amendatory Act of 1992 does not create any legislative presumption for or against intra-Market Service Area presubscription or changes in intra-Market Service Area dialing arrangements related to the implementation of that presubscription, but simply vests jurisdiction in the Illinois Commerce Commission to consider after notice and hearing the issue of presubscription in accordance with the policy goals outlined in Section 13-103.

The Commission shall have authority to alter the boundaries of Market Service Areas when such alteration is consistent with the public interest and the purposes and policies of this Article. A determination by the Commission with respect to Market Service Area boundaries shall not modify or affect the rights or obligations of any telecommunications carrier with respect to any consent decree or agreement with the United States Department of Justice, including, but not limited to, the Modification of Final Judgment in United States v. Western Electric Co., 552 F. Supp. 131 (D.D.C. 1982), as modified from time to time.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-404) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-404)

Sec. 13-404. Any telecommunications carrier offering or providing the resale of either local exchange or interexchange telecommunications service must first obtain a Certificate of Service Authority. The Commission shall approve an application for a Certificate for the resale of local exchange or interexchange telecommunications service upon a showing by the applicant, and a finding by the Commission, after notice and hearing, that the applicant possesses sufficient technical, financial and managerial resources and abilities to provide the resale of telecommunications service.

(Source: P.A. 84-1063.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-404.1)

Sec. 13-404.1. Prepaid calling service authority; rules.

(a) The General Assembly finds that it is necessary to require the certification of prepaid calling service providers to protect and promote against fraud the legitimate business interests of persons or entities currently providing prepaid calling service to Illinois end users and Illinois end users who purchase these services.

(b) On and after July 1, 2005, it shall be unlawful for any prepaid calling service provider to offer or provide or seek to offer or provide to any distributor, prepaid calling service reseller, prepaid calling service retailer, or end user any prepaid calling service unless the prepaid calling service provider has applied for and received a Certificate of Prepaid Calling Service Provider Authority from the Commission. The Commission shall approve an application for a Certificate of Prepaid Calling Service Provider Authority upon a showing by the applicant, and a finding by the Commission, after notice and hearing, that the applicant possesses sufficient technical, financial, and managerial resources and abilities to provide prepaid calling services. The Commission shall approve an application for a Certificate of Prepaid Calling Service Provider Authority without a hearing upon a showing by the applicant that the Commission has issued an appropriate Certificate of Service Authority (whether a Certificate of Interexchange Service Authority or Certificate of Exchange Service Authority or both) to the applicant or the telecommunications carrier whose service the applicant is seeking to resell, provided that the telecommunications carrier remains in good standing with the Commission. The Commission may adopt rules necessary for the administration of this subsection.

(c) Upon issuance of a Certificate of Prepaid Calling Service Provider Authority to a prepaid calling service provider, the Commission shall post a list that contains the full legal name of the prepaid service provider, the docket number of the provider's certification proceeding, and the toll-free customer service number of the certified prepaid calling service provider on the Commission's web site on a link solely dedicated to prepaid calling service providers. If the certified prepaid calling service provider changes its toll-free customer service number, it is the duty of the certified prepaid calling service provider to provide the Commission with notice of the change and with the provider's new toll-free customer service number at least 24 hours prior to changing its toll-free customer service number. The Commission may adopt rules that further define the administration of this subsection.

(d) Any and all enforcement authority granted to the Commission under this Article over any Certificate of Service Authority shall apply equally and without limitation to Certificates of Prepaid Calling Service Provider Authority.

(Source: P.A. 93-1002, eff. 1-1-05.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-404.2)

Sec. 13-404.2. Prepaid calling service standards. The Commission, by rule, may establish and implement minimum service quality standards for prepaid calling service. The rules may include, but are not limited to, requiring access to a live customer service attendant through the customer service number, reporting requirements, fines, penalties, customer credits, remedies, and other enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with the service quality standards.

(Source: P.A. 93-1002, eff. 1-1-05.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-405) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-405)

Sec. 13-405. Local exchange service authority; approval. The Commission shall approve an application for a Certificate of Exchange Service Authority only upon a showing by the applicant, and a finding by the Commission, after notice and hearing, that the applicant possesses sufficient technical, financial, and managerial resources and abilities to provide local exchange telecommunications service.

(Source: P.A. 90-185, eff. 7-23-97.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-405.1) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-405.1)

Sec. 13-405.1. Interexchange services; incidental local service. Whether or not a telecommunications carrier is certified to offer or provide local exchange telecommunications service, nothing in Section 13-405 shall be construed to require the withdrawal or prevent the offering of interexchange services merely because incidental use of such service by the customer for local exchange telecommunications service is possible.

(Source: P.A. 87-856.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-406) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-406)

Sec. 13-406. Abandonment of service. No telecommunications carrier offering or providing noncompetitive telecommunications service pursuant to a valid Certificate of Service Authority or certificate of public convenience and necessity shall discontinue or abandon such service once initiated until and unless it shall demonstrate, and the Commission finds, after notice and hearing, that such discontinuance or abandonment will not deprive customers of any necessary or essential telecommunications service or access thereto and is not otherwise contrary to the public interest. No telecommunications carrier offering or providing competitive telecommunications service shall completely discontinue or abandon such service to an identifiable class or group of customers once initiated except upon 60 days notice to the Commission and affected customers. The Commission may, upon its own motion or upon complaint, investigate the proposed discontinuance or abandonment of a competitive telecommunications service and may, after notice and hearing, prohibit such proposed discontinuance or abandonment if the Commission finds that it would be contrary to the public interest. If the Commission does not provide notice of a hearing within 60 calendar days after the notification or holds a hearing and fails to find that the proposed discontinuation or abandonment would be contrary to the public interest, the provider may discontinue or abandon such service after providing at least 30 days notice to affected customers. This Section does not apply to a Large Electing Provider proceeding under Section 13-406.1.

(Source: P.A. 96-927, eff. 6-15-10.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-406.1 new)

Sec. 13-406.1. Large Electing Provider transition to IP-based networks and service.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Alternative voice service" means service that includes all of the applicable functionalities for voice telephony services described in 47 CFR 54.101(a).

"Existing customer" means a residential customer of the Large Electing Provider who is subscribing to a telecommunications service on the date the Large Electing Provider sends its notice under paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of this Section of its intent to cease offering and providing service. For purposes of this Section, a residential customer of the Large Electing Provider whose service has been temporarily suspended, but not finally terminated as of the date that the Large Electing Provider sends that notice, shall be deemed to be an "existing customer".

"Large Electing Provider" means an Electing Provider, as defined in Section 13-506.2 of this Act, that (i) reported in its annual competition report for the year 2016 filed with the Commission under Section 13-407 of this Act and 83 Ill. Adm. Code 793 that it provided at least 700,000 access lines to end users; and (ii) is affiliated with a provider of commercial mobile radio service, as defined in 47 CFR 20.3, as of January 1, 2017.

"New customer" means a residential customer who is not subscribing to a telecommunications service provided by the Large Electing Provider on the date the Large Electing Provider sends its notice under paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of this Section of its intent to cease offering and providing that service.

"Provider" includes every corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, and individual and their lessees, trustees, or receivers appointed by a court that sell or offer to sell an alternative voice service.

"Reliable access to 9-1-1" means access to 9-1-1 that complies with the applicable rules, regulations, and guidelines established by the Federal Communications Commission and the applicable provisions of the Emergency Telephone System Act and implementing rules.

"Willing provider" means a provider that voluntarily participates in the request for service process.

(b) Beginning June 30, 2017, a Large Electing Provider may, to the extent permitted by and consistent with federal law, including, as applicable, approval by the Federal Communications Commission of the discontinuance of the interstate-access component of a telecommunications service, cease to offer and provide a telecommunications service to an identifiable class or group of customers, other than voice telecommunications service to residential customers or a telecommunications service to a class of customers under subsection (b-5) of this Section, upon 60 days' notice to the Commission and affected customers.

(b-5) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Section 13-406.1, beginning December 31, 2021, a Large Electing Provider may, to the extent permitted by and consistent with federal law, including, if applicable, approval by the Federal Communications Commission of the discontinuance of the interstate-access component of a telecommunication service, cease to offer and provide a telecommunications service to one or more of the following classes or groups of customers upon 60 days' notice to the Commission and affected customers: (1) electric utilities, as defined in Section 16-102 of this Act; (2) public utilities, as defined in Section 3-105 of this Act, that offers natural gas or water services; (3) electric, gas, and water utilities that are excluded from the definition of public utility under paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of Section 3-105 of this Act; (4) water companies as described in paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of Section 3-105 of this Act; (5) natural gas cooperatives as described in paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of Section 3-105 of this Act; (6) electric cooperatives as defined in Section 3-119 of this Act; (7) entities engaged in the commercial generation of electric power and energy; (8) the functional divisions of public agencies, as defined in Section 2 of the Emergency Telephone System Act, that provide police or firefighting services; and (9) 9-1-1 Authorities, as defined in Section 2 of the Emergency Telephone System Act; provided that the date shall be extended to December 21, 2022, for (i) an electric utility, as defined in Section 16-102 of this Act, that serves more than 3 million customers in the State; and (ii) an entity engaged in the commercial generation of electric power and energy that operates one or more nuclear power plants in the State.

(c) Beginning June 30, 2017, a Large Electing Provider may, to the extent permitted by and consistent with federal law, cease to offer and provide voice telecommunications service to an identifiable class or group of residential customers, which, for the purposes of this subsection (c), shall be referred to as "requested service", subject to compliance with the following requirements:

(1) No less than 255 days prior to providing notice to the Federal Communications Commission of its intent to discontinue the interstate-access component of the requested service, the Large Electing Provider shall:

(A) file a notice of the proposed cessation of the requested service with the Commission, which shall include a statement that the Large Electing Provider will comply with any service discontinuance rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission pertaining to compatibility of alternative voice services with medical monitoring devices; and

(B) provide notice of the proposed cessation of the requested service to each of the Large Electing Provider's existing customers within the affected geographic area by first-class mail separate from customer bills. If the customer has elected to receive electronic billing, the notice shall be sent electronically and by first-class mail separate from customer bills. The notice provided under this subparagraph (B) shall describe the requested service, identify the earliest date on which the Large Electing Provider intends to cease offering or providing the telecommunications service, provide a telephone number by which the existing customer may contact a service representative of the Large Electing Provider, and provide a telephone number by which the existing customer may contact the Commission's Consumer Services Division. The notice shall also include the following statement:

"If you do not believe that an alternative voice service including reliable access to 9-1-1 is available to you, from either [name of Large Electing Provider] or another provider of wired or wireless voice service where you live, you have the right to request the Illinois Commerce Commission to investigate the availability of alternative voice service including reliable access to 9-1-1. To do so, you must submit such a request either in writing or by signing and returning a copy of this notice, no later than (insert date), 60 days after the date of the notice to the following address:

Chief Clerk of the Illinois Commerce Commission

527 East Capitol Avenue

Springfield, Illinois 62706

You must include in your request a reference to the notice you received from [Large Electing Provider's name] and the date of notice.".

Thirty days following the date of notice, the Large Electing Provider shall provide each customer to which the notice was sent a follow-up notice containing the same information and reminding customers of the deadline for requesting the Commission to investigate alternative voice service with access to 9-1-1.

(2) After June 30, 2017, and only in a geographic area for which a Large Electing Provider has provided notice of proposed cessation of the requested service to existing customers under paragraph (1) of this subsection (c), an existing customer of that provider may, within 60 days after issuance of such notice, request the Commission to investigate the availability of alternative voice service including reliable access to 9-1-1 to that customer. For the purposes of this paragraph (2), existing customers who make such a request are referred to as "requesting existing customers". The Large Electing Provider may cease to offer or provide the requested service to existing customers who do not make a request for investigation beginning 30 days after issuance of the notice required by paragraph (5) of this subsection (c).

(A) In response to all requests and investigations under this paragraph (2), the Commission shall conduct a single investigation to be commenced 75 days after the receipt of notice under paragraph (1) of this subsection (c), and completed within 135 days after commencement. The Commission shall, within 135 days after commencement of the investigation, make one of the findings described in subdivisions (i) and (ii) of this subparagraph (A) for each requesting existing customer.

(i) If, as a result of the investigation, the Commission finds that service from at least one provider offering alternative voice service including reliable access to 9-1-1 through any technology or medium is available to one or more requesting existing customers, the Commission shall declare by order that, with respect to each requesting existing customer for which such a finding is made, the Large Electing Provider may cease to offer or provide the requested service beginning 30 days after the issuance of the notice required by paragraph (5) of this subsection (c).

(ii) If, as a result of the investigation, the Commission finds that service from at least one provider offering alternative voice service, including reliable access to 9-1-1, through any technology or medium is not available to one or more requesting existing customers, the Commission shall declare by order that an emergency exists with respect to each requesting existing customer for which such a finding is made.

(B) If the Commission declares an emergency under subdivision (ii) of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph (2) with respect to one or more requesting existing customers, the Commission shall conduct a request for service process to identify a willing provider of alternative voice service including reliable access to 9-1-1. A provider shall not be required to participate in the request for service process. The willing provider may utilize any form of technology that is capable of providing alternative voice service including reliable access to 9-1-1, including, without limitation, Voice over Internet Protocol services and wireless services. The Commission shall, within 45 days after the issuance of an order finding that an emergency exists, make one of the determinations described in subdivisions (i) and (ii) of this subparagraph (B) for each requesting existing customer for which an emergency has been declared.

(i) If the Commission determines that another provider is willing and capable of providing alternative voice service including reliable access to 9-1-1 to one or more requesting existing customers for which an emergency has been declared, the Commission shall declare by order that, with respect to each requesting existing customer for which such a determination is made, the Large Electing Provider may cease to offer or provide the requested service beginning 30 days after the issuance of the notice required by paragraph (5) of this Section.

(ii) If the Commission determines that for one or more of the requesting existing customers for which an emergency has been declared there is no other provider willing and capable of providing alternative voice service including reliable access to 9-1-1, the Commission shall issue an order requiring the Large Electing Provider to provide alternative voice service including reliable access to 9-1-1 to each requesting existing customer utilizing any form of technology capable of providing alternative voice service including reliable access to 9-1-1, including, without limitation, continuation of the requested service, Voice over Internet Protocol services, and wireless services, until another willing provider is available. A Large Electing Provider may fulfill the requirement through an affiliate or another provider. The Large Electing Provider may request that such an order be rescinded upon a showing that an alternative voice service including reliable access to 9-1-1 has become available to the requesting existing customer from another provider.

(3) If the Commission receives no requests for investigation from any existing customer under paragraph (2) of this subsection (c) within 60 days after issuance of the notice under paragraph (1) of this subsection (c), the Commission shall provide written notice to the Large Electing Provider of that fact no later than 75 days after receipt of notice under paragraph (1) of this subsection (c). Notwithstanding any provision of this subsection (c) to the contrary, if no existing customer requests an investigation under paragraph (2) of this subsection (c), the Large Electing Provider may immediately provide the notice to the Federal Communications Commission as described in paragraph (4) of this subsection (c).

(4) At the same time that it provides notice to the Federal Communications Commission of its intent to discontinue the interstate-access component of the requested service, the Large Electing Provider shall:

(A) file a notice of proposal to cease to offer and provide the requested service with the Commission; and

(B) provide a notice of proposal to cease to offer and provide the requested service to existing customers and new customers receiving the service at the time of the notice within each affected geographic area, with the notice made by first-class mail or within customer bills delivered by mail or equivalent means of notice, including electronic means if the customer has elected to receive electronic billing. The notice provided under this subparagraph (B) shall include a brief description of the requested service, the date on which the Large Electing Provider intends to cease offering or providing the telecommunications service, and a statement as required by 47 CFR 63.71 that describes the process by which the customer may submit comments to the Federal Communications Commission.

(5) Upon approval by the Federal Communications Commission of its request to discontinue the interstate-access component of the requested service and subject to the requirements of any order issued by the Commission under subdivision (ii) of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of this subsection (c), the Large Electing Provider may immediately cease to offer the requested service to all customers not receiving the service on the date of the Federal Communications Commission's approval and may cease to offer and provide the requested service to all customers receiving the service at the time of the Federal Communications Commission's approval upon 30 days' notice to the Commission and affected customers. Notice to affected customers under this paragraph (5) shall be provided by first-class mail separate from customer bills. The notice provided under this paragraph (5) shall describe the requested service, identify the date on which the Large Electing Provider intends to cease offering or providing the telecommunications service, and provide a telephone number by which the existing customer may contact a service representative of the Large Electing Provider.

(6) The notices provided for in paragraph (1) of this subsection (c) are not required as a prerequisite for the Large Electing Provider to cease to offer or provide a telecommunications service in a geographic area where there are no residential customers taking service from the Large Electing Provider on the date that the Large Electing Provider files notice to the Federal Communications Commission of its intent to discontinue the interstate-access component of the requested service in that geographic area.

(7) For a period of 45 days following the date of a notice issued under paragraph (5) of this Section, an existing customer (i) who is located in the affected geographic area subject to that notice; (ii) who was receiving the requested service as of the date of the Federal Communications Commission's approval of the Large Electing Provider's request to discontinue the interstate-access component of the requested service; (iii) who did not make a timely request for investigation under paragraph (2) of this subsection (c); and (iv) whose service will be or has been discontinued under paragraph (5), may request assistance from the Large Electing Provider in identifying providers of alternative voice service including reliable access to 9-1-1. Within 15 days of the request, the Large Electing Provider shall provide the customer with a list of alternative voice service providers.

(8) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, except as expressly authorized by this subsection (c), the Commission may not, upon its own motion or upon complaint, investigate, suspend, disapprove, condition, or otherwise regulate the cessation of a telecommunications service to an identifiable class or group of customers once initiated by a Large Electing Provider under subsection (b) or (b-5) of this Section or this subsection (c).

(220 ILCS 5/13-407) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-407)

Sec. 13-407. Commission study and report. The Commission shall monitor and analyze patterns of entry and exit and changes in patterns of entry and exit for each relevant market for telecommunications services, including emerging high speed telecommunications markets and broadband services. The Commission shall include its findings together with appropriate recommendations for legislative action in its annual report to the General Assembly. The Commission shall provide an analysis of entry and exit, along with changes in patterns of entry and exit, for broadband services in its annual report to the General Assembly.

In preparing its annual report, the Commission may obtain any information on broadband services that has been collected or is in the possession of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity pursuant to the High Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Act. The Commission shall coordinate with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in collecting information to avoid a duplication of efforts.

The Commission shall also monitor and analyze the status of deployment of services to consumers, and any resulting "digital divisions" between consumers, including any changes or trends therein. The Commission shall include its findings together with appropriate recommendations for legislative action in its annual report to the General Assembly. In preparing this analysis the Commission shall evaluate information provided by certificated telecommunications carriers, registered Interconnected VoIP providers, and Facilities-based Providers of Broadband Connections to End User Locations that pertains to the state of competition in telecommunications markets including, but not limited to:

(1) the number and type of firms providing telecommunications services and broadband services, within the State;

(2) the services offered by these firms to both retail and wholesale customers;

(3) the extent to which customers and other providers are purchasing the firms' services; and

(4) the technologies or methods by which these firms provide these services, including descriptions of technologies in place and under development, and the degree to which firms rely on other wholesale providers to provide service to their own customers.

The Commission shall at a minimum assess the variability in this information according to geography, examining variability by exchange, wirecenter, or zip code, and by customer class, examining, at a minimum, the variability between residential and small, medium, and large business customers. The Commission shall provide an analysis of market trends by collecting this information from certificated telecommunications carriers, registered Interconnected VoIP providers, and Facilities-based Providers of Broadband Connections to End User Locations within the State. The Commission shall also collect all information, in a format determined by the Commission, that the Commission deems necessary to assist in monitoring and analyzing the telecommunications markets and broadband market, along with the status of competition and deployment of telecommunications services and broadband services to consumers in the State.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, certificated telecommunications carriers and registered Interconnected VoIP providers shall report to the Commission such information, with the exception of broadband information, requested by the Commission necessary to satisfy the reporting requirements of items (1) through (4) of this Section. The Commission may coordinate and work with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to avoid duplication of collection of information that is collected pursuant to the High Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Act.

For the purposes of this Section:

"Broadband connections" include wired lines or wireless channels that enable the end user to receive information from or send information to the Internet at information transfer rates exceeding 200 kbps in at least one direction.

"End user" includes a residential, business, institutional, or government entity who uses broadband services for its own purposes and who does not resell such services to other entities or incorporate such services into retail Internet-access services. For purposes of this Section, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) is not an end user of a broadband connection.

"Facilities-based Provider of Broadband Connections to End User Locations" means an entity that meets any of the following conditions:

(i) It owns the portion of the physical facility that terminates at the end user location.

(ii) It obtains unbundled network elements (UNEs), special access lines, or other leased facilities that terminate at the end user location and provisions or equips them as broadband.

(iii) It provisions or equips a broadband wireless channel to the end user location over licensed or unlicensed spectrum.

"Facilities-based Provider of Broadband Connections to End User Locations" does not include providers of terrestrial fixed wireless services (such as Wi-Fi and other wireless Ethernet, or wireless local area network, applications) that only enable local distribution and sharing of a premises broadband facility and does not include air-to-ground services.

(Source: P.A. 96-927, eff. 6-15-10.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-501) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-501)

Sec. 13-501. Tariff; filing.

(a) No telecommunications carrier shall offer or provide noncompetitive telecommunications service, telecommunications service subject to subsection (g) of Section 13-506.2 or Section 13-900.1 or 13-900.2 of this Act, or telecommunications service referred to in an interconnection agreement as a tariffed service unless and until a tariff is filed with the Commission which describes the nature of the service, applicable rates and other charges, terms and conditions of service, and the exchange, exchanges or other geographical area or areas in which the service shall be offered or provided. The Commission may prescribe the form of such tariff and any additional data or information which shall be included therein.

(b) After a hearing regarding a telecommunications service subject to subsection (a) of this Section, the Commission has the discretion to impose an interim or permanent tariff on a telecommunications carrier as part of the order in the case. When a tariff is imposed as part of the order in a case, the tariff shall remain in full force and effect until a compliance tariff, or superseding tariff, is filed by the telecommunications carrier and, after notice to the parties in the case and after a compliance hearing is held, is found by the Commission to be in compliance with the Commission's order.

(c) A telecommunications carrier shall offer or provide telecommunications service that is not subject to subsection (a) of this Section pursuant to either a tariff filed with the Commission or a written service offering that shall be available on the telecommunications carrier's website as required by Section 13-503 of this Act and that describes the nature of the service, applicable rates and other charges, terms and conditions of service. Revenue from competitive retail telecommunications service received by a telecommunications carrier pursuant to either a tariff or a written service offering shall be gross revenue for purposes of Section 2-202 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-501.5)

Sec. 13-501.5. Directory assistance service for the blind. A telecommunications carrier that provides directory assistance service shall provide in its tariffs or its written service offering pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 13-501 of this Act for that service that directory assistance shall be provided at no charge to its customers who are legally blind for telephone numbers of customers located within the same calling area, as described in the telecommunications carrier's tariff.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-502) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-502)

Sec. 13-502. Classification of services.

(a) All telecommunications services offered or provided under tariff by telecommunications carriers shall be classified as either competitive or noncompetitive. A telecommunications carrier may offer or provide either competitive or noncompetitive telecommunications services, or both, subject to proper certification and other applicable provisions of this Article. Any tariff filed with the Commission as required by Section 13-501 shall indicate whether the service to be offered or provided is competitive or noncompetitive.

(b) A service shall be classified as competitive only if, and only to the extent that, for some identifiable class or group of customers in an exchange, group of exchanges, or some other clearly defined geographical area, such service, or its functional equivalent, or a substitute service, is reasonably available from more than one provider, whether or not any such provider is a telecommunications carrier subject to regulation under this Act. All telecommunications services not properly classified as competitive shall be classified as noncompetitive. The Commission shall have the power to investigate the propriety of any classification of a telecommunications service on its own motion and shall investigate upon complaint. In any hearing or investigation, the burden of proof as to the proper classification of any service shall rest upon the telecommunications carrier providing the service. After notice and hearing, the Commission shall order the proper classification of any service in whole or in part. The Commission shall make its determination and issue its final order no later than 180 days from the date such hearing or investigation is initiated. If the Commission enters into a hearing upon complaint and if the Commission fails to issue an order within that period, the complaint shall be deemed granted unless the Commission, the complainant, and the telecommunications carrier providing the service agree to extend the time period.

(c) In determining whether a service should be reclassified as competitive, the Commission shall, at a minimum, consider the following factors:

(1) the number, size, and geographic distribution of other providers of the service;

(2) the availability of functionally equivalent services in the relevant geographic area and the ability of telecommunications carriers or other persons to make the same, equivalent, or substitutable service readily available in the relevant market at comparable rates, terms, and conditions;

(3) the existence of economic, technological, or any other barriers to entry into, or exit from, the relevant market;

(4) the extent to which other telecommunications companies must rely upon the service of another telecommunications carrier to provide telecommunications service; and

(5) any other factors that may affect competition and the public interest that the Commission deems appropriate.

(d) No tariff classifying a new telecommunications service as competitive or reclassifying a previously noncompetitive telecommunications service as competitive, which is filed by a telecommunications carrier which also offers or provides noncompetitive telecommunications service, shall be effective unless and until such telecommunications carrier offering or providing, or seeking to offer or provide, such proposed competitive service prepares and files a study of the long-run service incremental cost underlying such service and demonstrates that the tariffed rates and charges for the service and any relevant group of services that includes the proposed competitive service and for which resources are used in common solely by that group of services are not less than the long-run service incremental cost of providing the service and each relevant group of services. Such study shall be given proprietary treatment by the Commission at the request of such carrier if any other provider of the competitive service, its functional equivalent, or a substitute service in the geographical area described by the proposed tariff has not filed, or has not been required to file, such a study.

(e) In the event any telecommunications service has been classified and filed as competitive by the telecommunications carrier, and has been offered or provided on such basis, and the Commission subsequently determines after investigation that such classification improperly included services which were in fact noncompetitive, the Commission shall have the power to determine and order refunds to customers for any overcharges which may have resulted from the improper classification, or to order such other remedies provided to it under this Act, or to seek an appropriate remedy or relief in a court of competent jurisdiction.

(f) If no hearing or investigation regarding the propriety of a competitive classification of a telecommunications service is initiated within 180 days after a telecommunications carrier files a tariff listing such telecommunications service as competitive, no refunds to customers for any overcharges which may result from an improper classification shall be ordered for the period from the time the telecommunications carrier filed such tariff listing the service as competitive up to the time an investigation of the service classification is initiated by the Commission's own motion or the filing of a complaint. Where a hearing or an investigation regarding the propriety of a telecommunications service classification as competitive is initiated after 180 days from the filing of the tariff, the period subject to refund for improper classification shall begin on the date such investigation or hearing is initiated by the filing of a Commission motion or a complaint.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-502.5)

Sec. 13-502.5. Services alleged to be improperly classified.

(a) Any action or proceeding pending before the Commission upon the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly in which it is alleged that a telecommunications carrier has improperly classified services as competitive, other than a case pertaining to Section 13-506.1, shall be abated and shall not be maintained or continued.

(b) All retail telecommunications services provided to business end users by any telecommunications carrier subject, as of May 1, 2001, to alternative regulation under an alternative regulation plan pursuant to Section 13-506.1 of this Act shall be classified as competitive as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly without further Commission review. Rates for retail telecommunications services provided to business end users with 4 or fewer access lines shall not exceed the rates the carrier charged for those services on May 1, 2001. This restriction upon the rates of retail telecommunications services provided to business end users shall remain in force and effect through July 1, 2005; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit reduction of those rates. Rates for retail telecommunications services provided to business end users with 5 or more access lines shall not be subject to the restrictions set forth in this subsection.

(c) All retail vertical services, as defined herein, that are provided by a telecommunications carrier subject, as of May 1, 2001, to alternative regulation under an alternative regulation plan pursuant to Section 13-506.1 of this Act shall be classified as competitive as of June 1, 2003 without further Commission review. Retail vertical services shall include, for purposes of this Section, services available on a subscriber's telephone line that the subscriber pays for on a periodic or per use basis, but shall not include caller identification and call waiting.

(d) Any action or proceeding before the Commission upon the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly, in which it is alleged that a telecommunications carrier has improperly classified services as competitive, other than a case pertaining to Section 13-506.1, shall be abated and the services the classification of which is at issue shall be deemed either competitive or noncompetitive as set forth in this Section. Any telecommunications carrier subject to an action or proceeding in which it is alleged that the telecommunications carrier has improperly classified services as competitive shall be deemed liable to refund, and shall refund, the sum of $90,000,000 to that class or those classes of its customers that were alleged to have paid rates in excess of noncompetitive rates as the result of the alleged improper classification. The telecommunications carrier shall make the refund no later than 120 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly.

(e) Any telecommunications carrier subject to an action or proceeding in which it is alleged that the telecommunications carrier has improperly classified services as competitive shall also pay the sum of $15,000,000 to the Digital Divide Elimination Fund established pursuant to Section 5-20 of the Eliminate the Digital Divide Law, and shall further pay the sum of $15,000,000 to the Digital Divide Elimination Infrastructure Fund established pursuant to Section 13-301.3 of this Act. The telecommunications carrier shall make each of these payments in 3 installments of $5,000,000, payable on July 1 of 2002, 2003, and 2004. The telecommunications carrier shall have no further accounting for these payments, which shall be used for the purposes established in the Eliminate the Digital Divide Law.

(f) All other services shall be classified pursuant to Section 13-502 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-503) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-503)

Sec. 13-503. Information available to the public. With respect to rates or other charges made, demanded, or received for any telecommunications service offered, provided, or to be provided, that is subject to subsection (a) of Section 13-501 of this Act, telecommunications carriers shall comply with the publication and filing provisions of Sections 9-101, 9-102, 9-102.1, and 9-201 of this Act. Except for the provision of services offered or provided by payphone providers pursuant to a tariff, telecommunications carriers shall make all tariffs and all written service offerings for competitive telecommunications service available electronically to the public without requiring a password or other means of registration. A telecommunications carrier's website shall, if applicable, provide in a conspicuous manner information on the rates, charges, terms, and conditions of service available and a toll-free telephone number that may be used to contact an agent for assistance with obtaining rate or other charge information or the terms and conditions of service.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-504) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-504)

Sec. 13-504. Application of ratemaking provisions of Article IX.

(a) Except where the context clearly renders such provisions inapplicable, the ratemaking provisions of Article IX of this Act relating to public utilities are fully and equally applicable to the rates, charges, tariffs and classifications for the offer or provision of noncompetitive telecommunications services. However, the ratemaking provisions do not apply to any proposed change in rates or charges, any proposed change in any classification or tariff resulting in a change in rates or charges, or the establishment of new services and rates therefor for a noncompetitive local exchange telecommunications service offered or provided by a local exchange telecommunications carrier with no more than 35,000 subscriber access lines. Proposed changes in rates, charges, classifications, or tariffs meeting these criteria shall be permitted upon the filing of the proposed tariff and 30 days notice to the Commission and all potentially affected customers. The proposed changes shall not be subject to suspension. The Commission shall investigate whether any proposed change is just and reasonable only if a telecommunications carrier that is a customer of the local exchange telecommunications carrier or 10% of the potentially affected access line subscribers of the local exchange telecommunications carrier shall file a petition or complaint requesting an investigation of the proposed changes. When the telecommunications carrier or 10% of the potentially affected access line subscribers of a local exchange telecommunications carrier file a complaint, the Commission shall, after notice and hearing, have the power and duty to establish the rates, charges, classifications, or tariffs it finds to be just and reasonable.

(b) Subsection (c) of Section 13-502 and Sections 13-505.1, 13-505.4, 13-505.6, and 13-507 of this Article do not apply to rates or charges or proposed changes in rates or charges for applicable competitive or interexchange services when offered or provided by a local exchange telecommunications carrier with no more than 35,000 subscriber access lines. In addition, Sections 13-514, 13-515, and 13-516 do not apply to telecommunications carriers with no more than 35,000 subscriber access lines. The Commission may require telecommunications carriers with no more than 35,000 subscriber access lines to furnish information that the Commission deems necessary for a determination that rates and charges for any competitive telecommunications service are just and reasonable.

(c) For a local exchange telecommunications carrier with no more than 35,000 access lines, the Commission shall consider and adjust, as appropriate, a local exchange telecommunications carrier's depreciation rates only in ratemaking proceedings.

(d) Article VI and Sections 7-101 and 7-102 of Article VII of this Act pertaining to public utilities, public utility rates and services, and the regulation thereof are not applicable to local exchange telecommunication carriers with no more than 35,000 subscriber access lines.

(Source: P.A. 89-139, eff. 1-1-96; 90-185, eff. 7-23-97.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-505) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-505)

Sec. 13-505. Rate changes; competitive services. Any proposed increase or decrease in rates or charges, or proposed change in any classification, written service offering, or tariff resulting in an increase or decrease in rates or charges, for a competitive telecommunications service shall be permitted upon the filing with the Commission or posting on the telecommunications carrier's website of the proposed rate, charge, classification, written service offering, or tariff pursuant to Section 13-501 of this Act. Notice of an increase shall be given, no later than the prior billing cycle, to all potentially affected customers by mail or equivalent means of notice, including electronic if the customer has elected electronic billing. Additional notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation may also be given.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-505.2) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-505.2)

Sec. 13-505.2. Nondiscrimination in the provision of noncompetitive services. A telecommunications carrier that offers both noncompetitive and competitive services shall offer the noncompetitive services under the same rates, terms, and conditions without unreasonable discrimination to all persons, including all telecommunications carriers and competitors. A telecommunications carrier that offers a noncompetitive service together with any optional feature or functionality shall offer the noncompetitive service together with each optional feature or functionality under the same rates, terms, and conditions without unreasonable discrimination to all persons, including all telecommunications carriers and competitors.

(Source: P.A. 87-856.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-505.3) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-505.3)

Sec. 13-505.3. Services for resale. A telecommunications carrier that offers both noncompetitive and competitive services shall offer all noncompetitive services, together with each applicable optional feature or functionality, subject to resale; however, the Commission may determine under Article IX of this Act that certain noncompetitive services, together with each applicable optional feature or functionality, that are offered to residence customers under different rates, charges, terms, or conditions than to other customers should not be subject to resale under the rates, charges, terms, or conditions available only to residence customers.

(Source: P.A. 87-856.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-505.4) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-505.4)

Sec. 13-505.4. Provision of noncompetitive services.

(a) A telecommunications carrier that offers or provides a noncompetitive service, service element, feature, or functionality on a separate, stand-alone basis to any customer shall provide that service, service element, feature, or functionality pursuant to tariff to all persons, including all telecommunications carriers and competitors, in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

(b) A telecommunications carrier that offers or provides a noncompetitive service, service element, feature, or functionality to any customer as part of an offering of competitive services pursuant to tariff or contract shall publicly disclose the offering or provisioning of the noncompetitive service, service element, feature, or functionality by filing with the Commission information that generally describes the offering or provisioning and that shows the rates, terms, and conditions of the noncompetitive service, service element, feature, or functionality. The information shall be filed with the Commission concurrently with the filing of the tariff or not more than 10 days following the customer's acceptance of the offering in a contract.

(c) A telecommunications carrier that is not subject to regulation under an alternative regulation plan pursuant to Section 13-506.1 of this Act 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. The reduction of rates or charges shall be permitted upon the filing of the proposed rate, charge, classification, tariff, or bundled offering. The total price of a bundled offering shall not attribute any portion of the charge to services subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission and shall not be binding on the Commission in any proceeding under Article IX of this Act to set the revenue requirement or to set just and reasonable rates for services subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. Prices for bundles shall not be subject to Section 13-505.1 of this Act. For purposes of this subsection (c), a bundle is a group of services offered together for a fixed price where at least one of the services is an interLATA service as that term is defined in 47 U.S.C. 153(21), a cable service or a video service, a community antenna television service, a satellite broadcast service, a public mobile service as defined in Section 13-214 of this Act, or an advanced telecommunications service as "advanced telecommunications services" is defined in Section 13-517 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 95-9, eff. 6-30-07.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-505.5) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-505.5)

Sec. 13-505.5. Requests for new noncompetitive services. Any party may petition the Commission to request the provision of a noncompetitive service not currently provided by a local exchange carrier within its service territory. The Commission shall grant the petition, provided that it can be demonstrated that the provisioning of the requested service is technically and economically practicable considering demand for the service, and absent a finding that provision of the service is otherwise contrary to the public interest. The Commission shall render its decision within 180 days after the filing of the petition unless extension of the time period is agreed to by all the parties to the proceeding.

(Source: P.A. 87-856.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-505.6) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-505.6)

Sec. 13-505.6. Unbundling of noncompetitive services. A telecommunications carrier that provides both noncompetitive and competitive telecommunications services shall provide all noncompetitive telecommunications services on an unbundled basis to the same extent the Federal Communications Commission requires that carrier to unbundle the same services provided under its jurisdiction. The Illinois Commerce Commission may require additional unbundling of noncompetitive telecommunications services over which it has jurisdiction based on a determination, after notice and hearing, that additional unbundling is in the public interest and is consistent with the policy goals and other provisions of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 87-856.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-506.1) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-506.1)

Sec. 13-506.1. Alternative forms of regulation for noncompetitive services.

(a) Notwithstanding any of the ratemaking provisions of this Article or Article IX that are deemed to require rate of return regulation, the Commission may implement alternative forms of regulation in order to establish just and reasonable rates for noncompetitive telecommunications services including, but not limited to, price regulation, earnings sharing, rate moratoria, or a network modernization plan. The Commission is authorized to adopt different forms of regulation to fit the particular characteristics of different telecommunications carriers and their service areas.

In addition to the public policy goals declared in Section 13-103, the Commission shall consider, in determining the appropriateness of any alternative form of regulation, whether it will:

(1) reduce regulatory delay and costs over time;

(2) encourage innovation in services;

(3) promote efficiency;

(4) facilitate the broad dissemination of technical improvements to all classes of ratepayers;

(5) enhance economic development of the State; and

(6) provide for fair, just, and reasonable rates.

(b) A telecommunications carrier providing noncompetitive telecommunications services may petition the Commission to regulate the rates or charges of its noncompetitive services under an alternative form of regulation. The telecommunications carrier shall submit with its petition its plan for an alternative form of regulation. The Commission shall review and may modify or reject the carrier's proposed plan. The Commission also may initiate consideration of alternative forms of regulation for a telecommunications carrier on its own motion. The Commission may approve the plan or modified plan and authorize its implementation only if it finds, after notice and hearing, that the plan or modified plan at a minimum:

(1) is in the public interest;

(2) will produce fair, just, and reasonable rates for telecommunications services;

(3) responds to changes in technology and the structure of the telecommunications industry that are, in fact, occurring;

(4) constitutes a more appropriate form of regulation based on the Commission's overall consideration of the policy goals set forth in Section 13-103 and this Section;

(5) specifically identifies how ratepayers will benefit from any efficiency gains, cost savings arising out of the regulatory change, and improvements in productivity due to technological change;

(6) will maintain the quality and availability of telecommunications services; and

(7) will not unduly or unreasonably prejudice or disadvantage any particular customer class, including telecommunications carriers.

(c) An alternative regulation plan approved under this Section shall provide, as a condition for Commission approval of the plan, that for the first 3 years the plan is in effect, basic residence service rates shall be no higher than those rates in effect 180 days before the filing of the plan. This provision shall not be used as a justification or rationale for an increase in basic service rates for any other customer class. For purposes of this Section, "basic residence service rates" shall mean monthly recurring charges for the telecommunications carrier's lowest priced primary residence network access lines, along with any associated untimed or flat rate local usage charges. Nothing in this subsection (c) shall preclude the Commission from approving an alternative regulation plan that results in rate reductions provided all the requirements of subsection (b) are satisfied by the plan.

(d) Any alternative form of regulation granted for a multi-year period under this Section shall provide for annual or more frequent reporting to the Commission to document that the requirements of the plan are being properly implemented.

(e) Upon petition by the telecommunications carrier or any other person or upon its own motion, the Commission may rescind its approval of an alternative form of regulation if, after notice and hearing, it finds that the conditions set forth in subsection (b) of this Section can no longer be satisfied. Any person may file a complaint alleging that the rates charged by a telecommunications carrier under an alternative form of regulation are unfair, unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory, or are otherwise not consistent with the requirements of this Article; provided, that the complainant shall bear the burden of proving the allegations in the complaint.

(f) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to authorize the Commission to render Sections 9-241, 9-250, and 13-505.2 inapplicable to noncompetitive services.

(Source: P.A. 87-856.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-506.2)

Sec. 13-506.2. Market regulation for competitive retail services.

(a) Definitions. As used in this Section:

(1) "Electing Provider" means a telecommunications carrier that is subject to either rate regulation pursuant to Section 13-504 or Section 13-505 or alternative regulation pursuant to Section 13-506.1 and that elects to have the rates, terms, and conditions of its competitive retail telecommunications services solely determined and regulated pursuant to the terms of this Article.

(2) "Basic local exchange service" means either a stand-alone residence network access line and per-call usage or, for any geographic area in which such stand-alone service is not offered, a stand-alone flat rate residence network access line for which local calls are not charged for frequency or duration. Extended Area Service shall be included in basic local exchange service.

(3) "Existing customer" means a residential customer who was subscribing to one of the optional packages described in subsection (d) of this Section as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly. A customer who was subscribing to one of the optional packages on that date but stops subscribing thereafter shall not be considered an "existing customer" as of the date the customer stopped subscribing to the optional package, unless the stoppage is temporary and caused by the customer changing service address locations, or unless the customer resumes subscribing and is eligible to receive discounts on monthly telephone service under the federal Lifeline program, 47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart E.

(4) "New customer" means a residential customer who was not subscribing to one of the optional packages described in subsection (d) of this Section as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly and who is eligible to receive discounts on monthly telephone service under the federal Lifeline program, 47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart E.

(b) Election for market regulation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, an Electing Provider may elect to have the rates, terms, and conditions of its competitive retail telecommunications services solely determined and regulated pursuant to the terms of this Section by filing written notice of its election for market regulation with the Commission. The notice of election shall designate the geographic area of the Electing Provider's service territory where the market regulation shall apply, either on a state-wide basis or in one or more specified Market Service Areas ("MSA") or Exchange areas. An Electing Provider shall not make an election for market regulation under this Section unless it commits in its written notice of election for market regulation to fulfill the conditions and requirements in this Section in each geographic area in which market regulation is elected. Immediately upon filing the notice of election for market regulation, the Electing Provider shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission to the extent expressly provided in this Section.

(c) Competitive classification. Market regulation shall be available for competitive retail telecommunications services as provided in this subsection.

(1) For geographic areas in which telecommunications services provided by the Electing Provider were classified as competitive either through legislative action or a tariff filing pursuant to Section 13-502 prior to January 1, 2010, and that are included in the Electing Provider's notice of election pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section, such services, and all recurring and nonrecurring charges associated with, related to or used in connection with such services, shall be classified as competitive without further Commission review. For services classified as competitive pursuant to this subsection, the requirements or conditions in any order or decision rendered by the Commission pursuant to Section 13-502 prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, except for the commitments made by the Electing Provider in such order or decision concerning the optional packages required in subsection (d) of this Section and basic local exchange service as defined in this Section, shall no longer be in effect and no Commission investigation, review, or proceeding under Section 13-502 shall be continued, conducted, or maintained with respect to such services, charges, requirements, or conditions. If an Electing Provider has ceased providing optional packages to customers pursuant to subdivision (d)(8) of this Section, the commitments made by the Electing Provider in such order or decision concerning the optional packages under subsection (d) of this Section shall no longer be in effect and no Commission investigation, review, or proceeding under Section 13-502 shall be continued, conducted, or maintained with respect to such packages.

(2) For those geographic areas in which residential local exchange telecommunications services have not been classified as competitive as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, all telecommunications services provided to residential and business end users by an Electing Provider in the geographic area that is included in its notice of election pursuant to subsection (b) shall be classified as competitive for purposes of this Article without further Commission review.

(3) If an Electing Provider was previously subject to alternative regulation pursuant to Section 13-506.1 of this Article, the alternative regulation plan shall terminate in whole for all services subject to that plan and be of no force or effect, without further Commission review or action, when the Electing Provider's residential local exchange telecommunications service in each MSA in its telecommunications service area in the State has been classified as competitive pursuant to either subdivision (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this Section.

(4) The service packages described in Section 13-518 shall be classified as competitive for purposes of this Section if offered by an Electing Provider in a geographic area in which local exchange telecommunications service has been classified as competitive pursuant to either subdivision (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this Section.

(5) Where a service, or its functional equivalent, or a substitute service offered by a carrier that is not an Electing Provider or the incumbent local exchange carrier for that area is also being offered by an Electing Provider for some identifiable class or group of customers in an exchange, group of exchanges, or some other clearly defined geographical area, the service offered by a carrier that is not an Electing Provider or the incumbent local exchange carrier for that area shall be classified as competitive without further Commission review.

(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, retail telecommunications services classified as competitive pursuant to Section 13-502 or subdivision (c)(5) of this Section shall have their rates, terms, and conditions solely determined and regulated pursuant to the terms of this Section in the same manner and to the same extent as the competitive retail telecommunications services of an Electing Provider, except that subsections (d), (g), and (j) of this Section shall not apply to a carrier that is not an Electing Provider or to the competitive telecommunications services of a carrier that is not an Electing Provider. The access services of a carrier that is not an Electing Provider shall remain subject to Section 13-900.2. The requirements in subdivision (e)(3) of this Section shall not apply to retail telecommunications services classified as competitive pursuant to Section 13-502 or subdivision (c)(5) of this Section, except that, upon request from the Commission, the telecommunications carrier providing competitive retail telecommunications services shall provide a report showing the number of credits and exemptions for the requested time period.

(d) Consumer choice safe harbor options.

(1) Subject to subdivision (d)(8) of this Section, an Electing Provider in each of the MSA or Exchange areas classified as competitive pursuant to subdivision (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this Section shall offer to all residential customers who choose to subscribe the following optional packages of services priced at the same rate levels in effect on January 1, 2010:

(A) A basic package, which shall consist of a stand-alone residential network access line and 30 local calls. If the Electing Provider offers a stand-alone residential access line and local usage on a per call basis, the price for the basic package shall be the Electing Provider's applicable price in effect on January 1, 2010 for the sum of a residential access line and 30 local calls, additional calls over 30 calls shall be provided at the current per call rate. However, this basic package is not required if stand-alone residential network access lines or per-call local usage are not offered by the Electing Provider in the geographic area on January 1, 2010 or if the Electing Provider has not increased its stand-alone network access line and local usage rates, including Extended Area Service rates, since January 1, 2010.

(B) An extra package, which shall consist of residential basic local exchange network access line and unlimited local calls. The price for the extra package shall be the Electing Provider's applicable price in effect on January 1, 2010 for a residential access line with unlimited local calls.

(C) A plus package, which shall consist of residential basic local exchange network access line, unlimited local calls, and the customer's choice of 2 vertical services offered by the Electing Provider. The term "vertical services" as used in this subsection, includes, but is not limited to, call waiting, call forwarding, 3-way calling, caller ID, call tracing, automatic callback, repeat dialing, and voicemail. The price for the plus package shall be the Electing Provider's applicable price in effect on January 1, 2010 for the sum of a residential access line with unlimited local calls and 2 times the average price for the vertical features included in the package.

(2) Subject to subdivision (d)(8) of this Section, for those geographic areas in which local exchange telecommunications services were classified as competitive on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, an Electing Provider in each such MSA or Exchange area shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as provided in commitments made by the Electing Provider in connection with such previous competitive classifications, which shall apply with equal force under this Section, except as follows: (i) the limits on price increases on the optional packages required by this Section shall be extended consistent with subsection (d)(1) of this Section and (ii) the price for the extra package required by subsection (d)(1)(B) shall be reduced by one dollar from the price in effect on January 1, 2010. In addition, if an Electing Provider obtains a competitive classification pursuant to subsection (c)(1) and (c)(2), the price for the optional packages shall be determined in such area in compliance with subsection (d)(1), except the price for the plus package required by subsection (d)(1) (C) shall be the lower of the price for such area or the price of the plus package in effect on January 1, 2010 for areas classified as competitive pursuant to subsection (c)(1).

(3) To the extent that the requirements in Section 13-518 applied to a telecommunications carrier prior to the effective date of this Section and that telecommunications carrier becomes an Electing Provider in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the requirements in Section 13-518 shall cease to apply to that Electing Provider in those geographic areas included in the Electing Provider's notice of election pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section.

(4) Subject to subdivision (d)(8) of this Section, an Electing Provider shall make the optional packages required by this subsection and stand-alone residential network access lines and local usage, where offered, readily available to the public by providing information, in a clear manner, to residential customers. Information shall be made available on a website, and an Electing Provider shall provide notification to its customers every 6 months, provided that notification may consist of a bill page message that provides an objective description of the safe harbor options that includes a telephone number and website address where the customer may obtain additional information about the packages from the Electing Provider. The optional packages shall be offered on a monthly basis with no term of service requirement. An Electing Provider shall allow online electronic ordering of the optional packages and stand-alone residential network access lines and local usage, where offered, on its website in a manner similar to the online electronic ordering of its other residential services.

(5) Subject to subdivision (d)(8) of this Section, an Electing Provider shall comply with the Commission's existing rules, regulations, and notices in Title 83, Part 735 of the Illinois Administrative Code when offering or providing the optional packages required by this subsection (d) and stand-alone residential network access lines.

(6) Subject to subdivision (d)(8) of this Section, an Electing Provider shall provide to the Commission semi-annual subscribership reports as of June 30 and December 31 that contain the number of its customers subscribing to each of the consumer choice safe harbor packages required by subsection (d)(1) of this Section and the number of its customers subscribing to retail residential basic local exchange service as defined in subsection (a)(2) of this Section. The first semi-annual reports shall be made on April 1, 2011 for December 31, 2010, and on September 1, 2011 for June 30, 2011, and semi-annually on April 1 and September 1 thereafter. Such subscribership information shall be accorded confidential and proprietary treatment upon request by the Electing Provider.

(7) The Commission shall have the power, after notice and hearing as provided in this Article, upon complaint or upon its own motion, to take corrective action if the requirements of this Section are not complied with by an Electing Provider.

(8) On and after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly, an Electing Provider shall continue to offer and provide the optional packages described in this subsection (d) to existing customers and new customers. On and after July 1, 2017, an Electing Provider may immediately stop offering the optional packages described in this subsection (d) and, upon providing two notices to affected customers and to the Commission, may stop providing the optional packages described in this subsection (d) to all customers who subscribe to one of the optional packages. The first notice shall be provided at least 90 days before the date upon which the Electing Provider intends to stop providing the optional packages, and the second notice must be provided at least 30 days before that date. The first notice shall not be provided prior to July 1, 2017. Each notice must identify the date on which the Electing Provider intends to stop providing the optional packages, at least one alternative service available to the customer, and a telephone number by which the customer may contact a service representative of the Electing Provider. After July 1, 2017 with respect to new customers, and upon the expiration of the second notice period with respect to customers who were subscribing to one of the optional packages, subdivisions (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(4), (d)(5), (d)(6), and (d)(7) of this Section shall not apply to the Electing Provider. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, an Electing Provider that has ceased providing the optional packages under this subdivision (d)(8) is not subject to Section 13-301(1)(c) of this Act. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, and subject to subdivision (d)(7) of this Section, the Commission's authority over the discontinuance of the optional packages described in this subsection (d) by an Electing Provider shall be governed solely by this subsection (d)(8).

(e) Service quality and customer credits for basic local exchange service.

(1) An Electing Provider shall meet the following service quality standards in providing basic local exchange service, which for purposes of this subsection (e), includes both basic local exchange service and any consumer choice safe harbor options that may be required by subsection (d) of this Section.

(A) Install basic local exchange service within 5 business days after receipt of an order from the customer unless the customer requests an installation date that is beyond 5 business days after placing the order for basic service and to inform the customer of the Electing Provider's duty to install service within this timeframe. If installation of service is requested on or by a date more than 5 business days in the future, the Electing Provider shall install service by the date requested.

(B) Restore basic local exchange service for the customer within 30 hours after receiving notice that the customer is out of service.

(C) Keep all repair and installation appointments for basic local exchange service if a customer premises visit requires a customer to be present. The appointment window shall be either a specific time or, at a maximum, a 4-hour time block during evening, weekend, and normal business hours.

(D) Inform a customer when a repair or installation appointment requires the customer to be present.

(2) Customers shall be credited by the Electing Provider for violations of basic local exchange service quality standards described in subdivision (e)(1) of this Section. The credits shall be applied automatically on the statement issued to the customer for the next monthly billing cycle following the violation or following the discovery of the violation. The next monthly billing cycle following the violation or the discovery of the violation means the billing cycle immediately following the billing cycle in process at the time of the violation or discovery of the violation, provided the total time between the violation or discovery of the violation and the issuance of the credit shall not exceed 60 calendar days. The Electing Provider is responsible for providing the credits and the customer is under no obligation to request such credits. The following credits shall apply:

(A) If an Electing Provider fails to repair an out-of-service condition for basic local exchange service within 30 hours, the Electing Provider shall provide a credit to the customer. If the service disruption is for more than 30 hours, but not more than 48 hours, the credit must be equal to a pro-rata portion of the monthly recurring charges for all basic local exchange services disrupted. If the service disruption is for more than 48 hours, but not more than 72 hours, the credit must be equal to at least 33% of one month's recurring charges for all local services disrupted. If the service disruption is for more than 72 hours, but not more than 96 hours, the credit must be equal to at least 67% of one month's recurring charges for all basic local exchange services disrupted. If the service disruption is for more than 96 hours, but not more than 120 hours, the credit must be equal to one month's recurring charges for all basic local exchange services disrupted. For each day or portion thereof that the service disruption continues beyond the initial 120-hour period, the Electing Provider shall also provide an additional credit of $20 per calendar day.

(B) If an Electing Provider fails to install basic local exchange service as required under subdivision (e)(1) of this Section, the Electing Provider shall waive 50% of any installation charges, or in the absence of an installation charge or where installation is pursuant to the Link Up program, the Electing Provider shall provide a credit of $25. If an Electing Provider fails to install service within 10 business days after the service application is placed, or fails to install service within 5 business days after the customer's requested installation date, if the requested date was more than 5 business days after the date of the order, the Electing Provider shall waive 100% of the installation charge, or in the absence of an installation charge or where installation is provided pursuant to the Link Up program, the Electing Provider shall provide a credit of $50. For each day that the failure to install service continues beyond the initial 10 business days, or beyond 5 business days after the customer's requested installation date, if the requested date was more than 5 business days after the date of the order, the Electing Provider shall also provide an additional credit of $20 per calendar day until the basic local exchange service is installed.

(C) If an Electing Provider fails to keep a scheduled repair or installation appointment when a customer premises visit requires a customer to be present as required under subdivision (e)(1) of this Section, the Electing Provider shall credit the customer $25 per missed appointment. A credit required by this subdivision does not apply when the Electing Provider provides the customer notice of its inability to keep the appointment no later than 8:00 pm of the day prior to the scheduled date of the appointment.

(D) Credits required by this subsection do not apply if the violation of a service quality standard:

(i) occurs as a result of a negligent or willful act on the part of the customer;

(ii) occurs as a result of a malfunction of customer-owned telephone equipment or inside wiring;

(iii) occurs as a result of, or is extended by, an emergency situation as defined in 83 Ill. Adm. Code 732.10;

(iv) is extended by the Electing Provider's inability to gain access to the customer's premises due to the customer missing an appointment, provided that the violation is not further extended by the Electing Provider;

(v) occurs as a result of a customer request to change the scheduled appointment, provided that the violation is not further extended by the Electing Provider;

(vi) occurs as a result of an Electing Provider's right to refuse service to a customer as provided in Commission rules; or

(vii) occurs as a result of a lack of facilities where a customer requests service at a geographically remote location, where a customer requests service in a geographic area where the Electing Provider is not currently offering service, or where there are insufficient facilities to meet the customer's request for service, subject to an Electing Provider's obligation for reasonable facilities planning.

(3) Each Electing Provider shall provide to the Commission on a quarterly basis and in a form suitable for posting on the Commission's website in conformance with the rules adopted by the Commission and in effect on April 1, 2010, a public report that includes the following data for basic local exchange service quality of service:

(A) With regard to credits due in accordance with subdivision (e)(2)(A) as a result of out-of-service conditions lasting more than 30 hours:

(i) the total dollar amount of any customer credits paid;

(ii) the number of credits issued for repairs between 30 and 48 hours;

(iii) the number of credits issued for repairs between 49 and 72 hours;

(iv) the number of credits issued for repairs between 73 and 96 hours;

(v) the number of credits used for repairs between 97 and 120 hours;

(vi) the number of credits issued for repairs greater than 120 hours; and

(vii) the number of exemptions claimed for each of the categories identified in subdivision (e)(2)(D).

(B) With regard to credits due in accordance with subdivision (e)(2)(B) as a result of failure to install basic local exchange service:

(i) the total dollar amount of any customer credits paid;

(ii) the number of installations after 5 business days;

(iii) the number of installations after 10 business days;

(iv) the number of installations after 11 business days; and

(v) the number of exemptions claimed for each of the categories identified in subdivision (e)(2)(D).

(C) With regard to credits due in accordance with subdivision (e)(2)(C) as a result of missed appointments:

(i) the total dollar amount of any customer credits paid;

(ii) the number of any customers receiving credits; and

(iii) the number of exemptions claimed for each of the categories identified in subdivision (e)(2)(D).

(D) The Electing Provider's annual report required by this subsection shall also include, for informational reporting, the performance data described in subdivisions (e)(2)(A), (e)(2)(B), and (e)(2)(C), and trouble reports per 100 access lines calculated using the Commission's existing applicable rules and regulations for such measures, including the requirements for service standards established in this Section.

(4) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the service quality rules and customer credits in this subsection (e) of this Section and other enforcement mechanisms, including fines and penalties authorized by Section 13-305, shall apply on a nondiscriminatory basis to all Electing Providers. Accordingly, notwithstanding any provision of any service quality rules promulgated by the Commission, any alternative regulation plan adopted by the Commission, or any other order of the Commission, any Electing Provider that is subject to any other order of the Commission and that violates or fails to comply with the service quality standards promulgated pursuant to this subsection (e) or any other order of the Commission shall not be subject to any fines, penalties, customer credits, or enforcement mechanisms other than such fines or penalties or customer credits as may be imposed by the Commission in accordance with the provisions of this subsection (e) and Section 13-305, which are to be generally applicable to all Electing Providers. The amount of any fines or penalties imposed by the Commission for failure to comply with the requirements of this subsection (e) shall be an appropriate amount, taking into account, at a minimum, the Electing Provider's gross annual intrastate revenue; the frequency, duration, and recurrence of the violation; and the relative harm caused to the affected customers or other users of the network. In imposing fines and penalties, the Commission shall take into account compensation or credits paid by the Electing Provider to its customers pursuant to this subsection (e) in compensation for any violation found pursuant to this subsection (e), and in any event the fine or penalty shall not exceed an amount equal to the maximum amount of a civil penalty that may be imposed under Section 13-305.

(5) An Electing Provider in each of the MSA or Exchange areas classified as competitive pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section shall fulfill the requirements in subdivision (e)(3) of this Section for 3 years after its notice of election becomes effective. After such 3 years, the requirements in subdivision (e)(3) of this Section shall not apply to such Electing Provider, except that, upon request from the Commission, the Electing Provider shall provide a report showing the number of credits and exemptions for the requested time period.

(f) Commission jurisdiction over competitive retail telecommunications services. Except as otherwise expressly stated in this Section, the Commission shall thereafter have no jurisdiction or authority over any aspect of competitive retail telecommunications service of an Electing Provider in those geographic areas included in the Electing Provider's notice of election pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section or of a retail telecommunications service classified as competitive pursuant to Section 13-502 or subdivision (c)(5) of this Section, heretofore subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, including but not limited to, any requirements of this Article related to the terms, conditions, rates, quality of service, availability, classification or any other aspect of any competitive retail telecommunications services. No telecommunications carrier shall commit any unfair or deceptive act or practice in connection with any aspect of the offering or provision of any competitive retail telecommunications service. Nothing in this Article shall limit or affect any provisions in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act with respect to any unfair or deceptive act or practice by a telecommunications carrier.

(g) Commission authority over access services upon election for market regulation.

(1) As part of its Notice of Election for Market Regulation, the Electing Provider shall reduce its intrastate switched access rates to rates no higher than its interstate switched access rates in 4 installments. The first reduction must be made 30 days after submission of its complete application for Notice of Election for Market Regulation, and the Electing Provider must reduce its intrastate switched access rates by an amount equal to 33% of the difference between its current intrastate switched access rates and its current interstate switched access rates. The second reduction must be made no later than one year after the first reduction, and the Electing Provider must reduce its then current intrastate switched access rates by an amount equal to 41% of the difference between its then current intrastate switched access rates and its then current interstate switched access rates. The third reduction must be made no later than one year after the second reduction, and the Electing Provider must reduce its then current intrastate switched access rates by an amount equal to 50% of the difference between its then current intrastate switched access rate and its then current interstate switched access rates. The fourth reduction must be made on or before June 30, 2013, and the Electing Provider must reduce its intrastate switched access rate to mirror its then current interstate switched access rates and rate structure. Following the fourth reduction, each Electing Provider must continue to set its intrastate switched access rates to mirror its interstate switched access rates and rate structure. For purposes of this subsection, the rate for intrastate switched access service means the composite, per-minute rate for that service, including all applicable fixed and traffic-sensitive charges, including, but not limited to, carrier common line charges.

(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) of this subsection (g) prohibits an Electing Provider from electing to offer intrastate switched access service at rates lower than its interstate switched access rates.

(3) The Commission shall have no authority to order an Electing Provider to set its rates for intrastate switched access at a level lower than its interstate switched access rates.

(4) The Commission's authority under this subsection (g) shall only apply to Electing Providers under Market Regulation. The Commission's authority over switched access services for all other carriers is retained under Section 13-900.2 of this Act.

(h) Safety of service equipment and facilities.

(1) An Electing Provider shall furnish, provide, and maintain such service instrumentalities, equipment, and facilities as shall promote the safety, health, comfort, and convenience of its patrons, employees, and public and as shall be in all respects adequate, reliable, and efficient without discrimination or delay. Every Electing Provider shall provide service and facilities that are in all respects environmentally safe.

(2) The Commission is authorized to conduct an investigation of any Electing Provider or part thereof. The investigation may examine the reasonableness, prudence, or efficiency of any aspect of the Electing Provider's operations or functions that may affect the adequacy, safety, efficiency, or reliability of telecommunications service. The Commission may conduct or order an investigation only when it has reasonable grounds to believe that the investigation is necessary to assure that the Electing Provider is providing adequate, efficient, reliable, and safe service. The Commission shall, before initiating any such investigation, issue an order describing the grounds for the investigation and the appropriate scope and nature of the investigation, which shall be reasonably related to the grounds relied upon by the Commission in its order.

(i) (Blank).

(j) Application of Article VII. The provisions of Sections 7-101, 7-102, 7-104, 7-204, 7-205, and 7-206 of this Act are applicable to an Electing Provider offering or providing retail telecommunications service, and the Commission's regulation thereof, except that (1) the approval of contracts and arrangements with affiliated interests required by paragraph (3) of Section 7-101 shall not apply to such telecommunications carriers provided that, except as provided in item (2), those contracts and arrangements shall be filed with the Commission; (2) affiliated interest contracts or arrangements entered into by such telecommunications carriers where the increased obligation thereunder does not exceed the lesser of $5,000,000 or 5% of such carrier's prior annual revenue from noncompetitive services are not required to be filed with the Commission; and (3) any consent and approval of the Commission required by Section 7-102 is not required for the sale, lease, assignment, or transfer by any Electing Provider of any property that is not necessary or useful in the performance of its duties to the public.

(k) Notwithstanding other provisions of this Section, the Commission retains its existing authority to enforce the provisions, conditions, and requirements of the following Sections of this Article: 13-101, 13-103, 13-201, 13-301, 13-301.1, 13-301.2, 13-301.3, 13-303, 13-303.5, 13-304, 13-305, 13-401, 13-401.1, 13-402, 13-403, 13-404, 13-404.1, 13-404.2, 13-405, 13-406, 13-407, 13-501, 13-501.5, 13-503, 13-505, 13-509, 13-510, 13-512, 13-513, 13-514, 13-515, 13-516, 13-519, 13-702, 13-703, 13-704, 13-705, 13-706, 13-707, 13-709, 13-713, 13-801, 13-802.1, 13-804, 13-900, 13-900.1, 13-900.2, 13-901, 13-902, and 13-903, which are fully and equally applicable to Electing Providers and to telecommunications carriers providing retail telecommunications service classified as competitive pursuant to Section 13-502 or subdivision (c)(5) of this Section subject to the provisions of this Section. On the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, the following Sections of this Article shall cease to apply to Electing Providers and to telecommunications carriers providing retail telecommunications service classified as competitive pursuant to Section 13-502 or subdivision (c)(5) of this Section: 13-302, 13-405.1, 13-502, 13-502.5, 13-504, 13-505.2, 13-505.3, 13-505.4, 13-505.5, 13-505.6, 13-506.1, 13-507, 13-507.1, 13-508, 13-508.1, 13-517, 13-518, 13-601, 13-701, and 13-712.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13; 99-6, eff. 6-29-15.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-507) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-507)

Sec. 13-507. In any proceeding permitting, approving, investigating, or establishing rates, charges, classifications, or tariffs for telecommunications services offered or provided by a telecommunications carrier that offers or provides both noncompetitive and competitive services, the Commission shall not allow any subsidy of competitive services or nonregulated activities by noncompetitive services. In the event that facilities are utilized or expenses are incurred for the provision of both competitive and noncompetitive services, the Commission shall apportion the facilities and expenses between noncompetitive services in the aggregate and competitive services in the aggregate and shall allow or establish rates or charges for the noncompetitive services which reflect only that portion of the facilities or expenses that it finds to be properly and reasonably apportioned to noncompetitive services. An apportionment of facilities or expenses between competitive and noncompetitive services, together with any corresponding rate changes, shall be made in general rate proceedings and in other proceedings, including service classification proceedings, that are necessary to ensure against any subsidy of competitive services by noncompetitive services. The Commission shall have the power to take or require such action as is necessary to ensure that rates or charges for noncompetitive services reflect only the value of facilities, or portion thereof, used and useful, and the expenses or portion thereof reasonably and prudently incurred, for the provision of the noncompetitive services. The Commission may, in such event, also establish, by rule, any additional procedures, rules, regulations, or mechanisms necessary to identify and properly account for the value or amount of such facilities or expenses.

The Commission may establish, by rule, appropriate methods for ensuring against cross-subsidization between competitive services and noncompetitive services as required under this Article, including appropriate methods for calculating the long-run service incremental costs of providing any telecommunications service and, when appropriate, group of services and methods for apportioning between noncompetitive services in the aggregate and competitive services in the aggregate the value of facilities utilized and expenses incurred to provide both competitive and noncompetitive services, for example, common overheads that are not accounted for in the long-run service incremental costs of individual services or groups of services. The Commission may order any telecommunications carrier to conduct a long-run service incremental cost study and to provide the results thereof to the Commission. Any cost study provided to the Commission pursuant to the provisions of this Section may, in the Commission's discretion, be accorded proprietary treatment. In addition to the requirements of subsection (c) of Section 13-502 and of Section 13-505.1 applicable to the rates and charges for individual competitive services, the aggregate gross revenues of all competitive services shall be equal to or greater than the sum of the long-run service incremental costs for all competitive services as a group and the value of other facilities and expenses apportioned to competitive services as a group under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 87-856.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-507.1)

Sec. 13-507.1. In any proceeding permitting, approving, investigating, or establishing rates, charges, classifications, or tariffs for telecommunications services classified as noncompetitive offered or provided by an incumbent local exchange carrier as that term is defined in Section 13-202.1 of this Act, the Commission shall not allow any subsidy of Internet services, cable services, or video services by the rates or charges for local exchange telecommunications services, including local services classified as noncompetitive.

(Source: P.A. 95-9, eff. 6-30-07; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-508) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-508)

Sec. 13-508. The Commission is authorized, after notice and hearing, to order a telecommunications carrier which offers or provides both competitive and noncompetitive telecommunications service to establish a fully separated subsidiary to provide all or part of such competitive service where:

(a) no less costly means is available and effective in fully and properly identifying and allocating costs between such carrier's competitive and noncompetitive telecommunications services; and

(b) the incremental cost of establishing and maintaining such subsidiary would not require increases in rates or charges to levels which would effectively preclude the offer or provision of the affected competitive telecommunications service.

(Source: P.A. 84-1063.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-508.1) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-508.1)

Sec. 13-508.1. Separate subsidiary requirement for certain electronic publishing. A telecommunications carrier that offers or provides both competitive and noncompetitive services shall not provide (1) electronically published news, feature, or entertainment material of the type generally published in newspapers, or (2) electronic advertising services, except through a fully separated subsidiary; provided, however, that a telecommunications carrier shall be allowed to resell, without editing the content, news, feature, or entertainment material of the type generally published in newspapers that it purchases from an unaffiliated entity or from a separate subsidiary to the extent the separate subsidiary makes that material available to all other persons under the same rates, terms, and conditions. Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a telecommunications carrier from electronic advertising of its own regulated services or from providing tariffed telecommunications services to a separate subsidiary or an unaffiliated entity that provides electronically published news, feature, or entertainment material or electronic advertising services.

(Source: P.A. 87-856.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-509) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-509)

Sec. 13-509. Agreements for provisions of competitive telecommunications services differing from tariffs or written service offerings. A telecommunications carrier may negotiate with customers or prospective customers to provide competitive telecommunications service, and in so doing, may offer or agree to provide such service on such terms and for such rates or charges as are reasonable, without regard to any tariffs it may have filed with the Commission or written service offerings posted on the telecommunications carrier's website pursuant to Section 13-501(c) of this Act with respect to such services. Upon request of the Commission, the telecommunications carrier shall submit to the Commission written notice of a list of any such agreements (which list may be filed electronically) within the past year. The notice shall identify the general nature of all such agreements. A copy of each such agreement shall be provided to the Commission within 10 business days after a request for review of the agreement is made by the Commission or is made to the Commission by another telecommunications carrier or by a party to such agreement.

Any agreement or notice entered into or submitted pursuant to the provisions of this Section may, in the Commission's discretion, be accorded proprietary treatment.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-510) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-510)

Sec. 13-510. Compensation of payphone providers. Any telecommunications carrier using the facilities or services of a payphone provider shall pay the provider just and reasonable compensation for the use of those facilities or services to complete billable operator services calls and for any other use that the Commission determines appropriate consistent with the provisions of this Act. The compensation shall be determined by the Commission subject to the provisions of this Act. This Section shall not apply to the extent a telecommunications carrier and a payphone provider have reached their own written compensation agreement.

(Source: P.A. 87-856.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-512)

Sec. 13-512. Rules; review. The Commission shall have general rulemaking authority to make rules necessary to enforce this Article. However, not later than 270 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997, and every 2 years thereafter, the Commission shall review all rules issued under this Article that apply to the operations or activities of any telecommunications carrier. The Commission shall, after notice and hearing, repeal or modify any rule it determines to be no longer in the public interest as the result of the reasonable availability of competitive telecommunications services.

(Source: P.A. 90-185, eff. 7-23-97.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-513)

Sec. 13-513. Waiver of rules. A telecommunications carrier may petition for waiver of the application of a rule issued pursuant to this Act. The burden of proof in establishing the right to a waiver shall be upon the petitioner. The petition shall include a demonstration that the waiver would not harm consumers and would not impede the development or operation of a competitive market. Upon such demonstration, the Commission may waive the application of a rule, but not the application of a provision of this Act. The Commission may conduct an investigation of the petition on its own motion or at the request of a potentially affected person. If no investigation is conducted, the waiver shall be deemed granted 30 days after the petition is filed.

(Source: P.A. 90-185, eff. 7-23-97.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-514)

Sec. 13-514. Prohibited actions of telecommunications carriers. A telecommunications carrier shall not knowingly impede the development of competition in any telecommunications service market. The following prohibited actions are considered per se impediments to the development of competition; however, the Commission is not limited in any manner to these enumerated impediments and may consider other actions which impede competition to be prohibited:

(1) unreasonably refusing or delaying interconnections or collocation or providing inferior connections to another telecommunications carrier;

(2) unreasonably impairing the speed, quality, or efficiency of services used by another telecommunications carrier;

(3) unreasonably denying a request of another provider for information regarding the technical design and features, geographic coverage, information necessary for the design of equipment, and traffic capabilities of the local exchange network except for proprietary information unless such information is subject to a proprietary agreement or protective order;

(4) unreasonably delaying access in connecting another telecommunications carrier to the local exchange network whose product or service requires novel or specialized access requirements;

(5) unreasonably refusing or delaying access by any person to another telecommunications carrier;

(6) unreasonably acting or failing to act in a manner that has a substantial adverse effect on the ability of another telecommunications carrier to provide service to its customers;

(7) unreasonably failing to offer services to customers in a local exchange, where a telecommunications carrier is certificated to provide service and has entered into an interconnection agreement for the provision of local exchange telecommunications services, with the intent to delay or impede the ability of the incumbent local exchange telecommunications carrier to provide inter-LATA telecommunications services;

(8) violating the terms of or unreasonably delaying implementation of an interconnection agreement entered into pursuant to Section 252 of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996;

(9) unreasonably refusing or delaying access to or provision of operation support systems to another telecommunications carrier or providing inferior operation support systems to another telecommunications carrier;

(10) unreasonably failing to offer network elements that the Commission or the Federal Communications Commission has determined must be offered on an unbundled basis to another telecommunications carrier in a manner consistent with the Commission's or Federal Communications Commission's orders or rules requiring such offerings;

(11) violating the obligations of Section 13-801; and

(12) violating an order of the Commission regarding matters between telecommunications carriers.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-515)

Sec. 13-515. Enforcement.

(a) The following expedited procedures shall be used to enforce the provisions of Section 13-514 of this Act, provided that, for a violation of paragraph (8) of Section 13-514 to qualify for the expedited procedures of this Section, the violation must be in a manner that unreasonably delays, increases the cost, or impedes the availability of telecommunications services to consumers. However, the Commission, the complainant, and the respondent may mutually agree to adjust the procedures established in this Section.

(b) (Blank).

(c) No complaint may be filed under this Section until the complainant has first notified the respondent of the alleged violation and offered the respondent 48 hours to correct the situation. Provision of notice and the opportunity to correct the situation creates a rebuttable presumption of knowledge under Section 13-514. After the filing of a complaint under this Section, the parties may agree to follow the mediation process under Section 10-101.1 of this Act. The time periods specified in subdivision (d)(7) of this Section shall be tolled during the time spent in mediation under Section 10-101.1.

(d) A telecommunications carrier may file a complaint with the Commission alleging a violation of Section 13-514 in accordance with this subsection:

(1) The complaint shall be filed with the Chief Clerk of the Commission and shall be served in hand upon the respondent, the executive director, and the general counsel of the Commission at the time of the filing.

(2) A complaint filed under this subsection shall include a statement that the requirements of subsection (c) have been fulfilled and that the respondent did not correct the situation as requested.

(3) Reasonable discovery specific to the issue of the complaint may commence upon filing of the complaint. Requests for discovery must be served in hand and responses to discovery must be provided in hand to the requester within 14 days after a request for discovery is made.

(4) An answer and any other responsive pleading to the complaint shall be filed with the Commission and served in hand at the same time upon the complainant, the executive director, and the general counsel of the Commission within 7 days after the date on which the complaint is filed.

(5) If the answer or responsive pleading raises the issue that the complaint violates subsection (i) of this Section, the complainant may file a reply to such allegation within 3 days after actual service of such answer or responsive pleading. Within 4 days after the time for filing a reply has expired, the hearing officer or arbitrator shall either issue a written decision dismissing the complaint as frivolous in violation of subsection (i) of this Section including the reasons for such disposition or shall issue an order directing that the complaint shall proceed.

(6) A pre-hearing conference shall be held within 14 days after the date on which the complaint is filed.

(7) The hearing shall commence within 30 days of the date on which the complaint is filed. The hearing may be conducted by a hearing examiner or by an arbitrator. Parties and the Commission staff shall be entitled to present evidence and legal argument in oral or written form as deemed appropriate by the hearing examiner or arbitrator. The hearing examiner or arbitrator shall issue a written decision within 60 days after the date on which the complaint is filed. The decision shall include reasons for the disposition of the complaint and, if a violation of Section 13-514 is found, directions and a deadline for correction of the violation.

(8) Any party may file a petition requesting the Commission to review the decision of the hearing examiner or arbitrator within 5 days of such decision. Any party may file a response to a petition for review within 3 business days after actual service of the petition. After the time for filing of the petition for review, but no later than 15 days after the decision of the hearing examiner or arbitrator, the Commission shall decide to adopt the decision of the hearing examiner or arbitrator or shall issue its own final order.

(e) If the alleged violation has a substantial adverse effect on the ability of the complainant to provide service to customers, the complainant may include in its complaint a request for an order for emergency relief. The Commission, acting through its designated hearing examiner or arbitrator, shall act upon such a request within 2 business days of the filing of the complaint. An order for emergency relief may be granted, without an evidentiary hearing, upon a verified factual showing that the party seeking relief will likely succeed on the merits, that the party will suffer irreparable harm in its ability to serve customers if emergency relief is not granted, and that the order is in the public interest. An order for emergency relief shall include a finding that the requirements of this subsection have been fulfilled and shall specify the directives that must be fulfilled by the respondent and deadlines for meeting those directives. The decision of the hearing examiner or arbitrator to grant or deny emergency relief shall be considered an order of the Commission unless the Commission enters its own order within 2 calendar days of the decision of the hearing examiner or arbitrator. The order for emergency relief may require the responding party to act or refrain from acting so as to protect the provision of competitive service offerings to customers. Any action required by an emergency relief order must be technically feasible and economically reasonable and the respondent must be given a reasonable period of time to comply with the order.

(f) The Commission is authorized to obtain outside resources including, but not limited to, arbitrators and consultants for the purposes of the hearings authorized by this Section. Any arbitrator or consultant obtained by the Commission shall be approved by both parties to the hearing. The cost of such outside resources including, but not limited to, arbitrators and consultants shall be borne by the parties. The Commission shall review the bill for reasonableness and assess the parties for reasonable costs dividing the costs according to the resolution of the complaint brought under this Section. Such costs shall be paid by the parties directly to the arbitrators, consultants, and other providers of outside resources within 60 days after receiving notice of the assessments from the Commission. Interest at the statutory rate shall accrue after expiration of the 60-day period. The Commission, arbitrators, consultants, or other providers of outside resources may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for an order requiring payment.

(g) The Commission shall assess the parties under this subsection for all of the Commission's costs of investigation and conduct of the proceedings brought under this Section including, but not limited to, the prorated salaries of staff, attorneys, hearing examiners, and support personnel and including any travel and per diem, directly attributable to the complaint brought pursuant to this Section, but excluding those costs provided for in subsection (f), dividing the costs according to the resolution of the complaint brought under this Section. All assessments made under this subsection shall be paid into the Public Utility Fund within 60 days after receiving notice of the assessments from the Commission. Interest at the statutory rate shall accrue after the expiration of the 60 day period. The Commission is authorized to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for an order requiring payment.

(h) If the Commission determines that there is an imminent threat to competition or to the public interest, the Commission may, notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, seek temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction either prior to or after the hearing.

(i) A party shall not bring or defend a proceeding brought under this Section or assert or controvert an issue in a proceeding brought under this Section, unless there is a non-frivolous basis for doing so. By presenting a pleading, written motion, or other paper in complaint or defense of the actions or inaction of a party under this Section, a party is certifying to the Commission that to the best of that party's knowledge, information, and belief, formed after a reasonable inquiry of the subject matter of the complaint or defense, that the complaint or defense is well grounded in law and fact, and under the circumstances:

(1) it is not being presented to harass the other party, cause unnecessary delay in the provision of competitive telecommunications services to consumers, or create needless increases in the cost of litigation; and

(2) the allegations and other factual contentions have evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, are likely to have evidentiary support after reasonable opportunity for further investigation or discovery as defined herein.

(j) If, after notice and a reasonable opportunity to respond, the Commission determines that subsection (i) has been violated, the Commission shall impose appropriate sanctions upon the party or parties that have violated subsection (i) or are responsible for the violation. The sanctions shall be not more than $30,000, plus the amount of expenses accrued by the Commission for conducting the hearing. Payment of sanctions imposed under this subsection shall be made to the Common School Fund within 30 days of imposition of such sanctions.

(k) An appeal of a Commission Order made pursuant to this Section shall not effectuate a stay of the Order unless a court of competent jurisdiction specifically finds that the party seeking the stay will likely succeed on the merits, that the party will suffer irreparable harm without the stay, and that the stay is in the public interest.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-516)

Sec. 13-516. Enforcement remedies for prohibited actions by telecommunications carriers.

(a) In addition to any other provision of this Act, all of the following remedies may be applied for violations of Section 13-514, provided that, for a violation of paragraph (8) of Section 13-514 to qualify for the remedies in this Section, the violation must be in a manner that unreasonably delays, increases the cost, or impedes the availability of telecommunications services to consumers:

(1) A Commission order directing the violating telecommunications carrier to cease and desist from violating the Act or a Commission order or rule.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, for a second and any subsequent violation of Section 13-514 committed by a telecommunications carrier after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly, the Commission may impose penalties of up to $30,000 or 0.00825% of the telecommunications carrier's gross intrastate annual telecommunications revenue, whichever is greater, per violation unless the telecommunications carrier has fewer than 35,000 subscriber access lines, in which case the civil penalty may not exceed $2,000 per violation. The second and any subsequent violation of Section 13-514 need not be of the same nature or provision of the Section for a penalty to be imposed. Matters resolved through voluntary mediation pursuant to Section 10-101.1 shall not be considered as a violation of Section 13-514 in computing eligibility for imposition of a penalty under this subdivision (a)(2). Each day of a continuing offense shall be treated as a separate violation for purposes of levying any penalty under this Section. The period for which the penalty shall be levied shall commence on the day the telecommunications carrier first violated Section 13-514 or on the day of the notice provided to the telecommunications carrier pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 13-515, whichever is later, and shall continue until the telecommunications carrier is in compliance with the Commission order. In assessing a penalty under this subdivision (a)(2), the Commission may consider mitigating factors, including those specified in items (1) through (4) of subsection (a) of Section 13-304.

(3) The Commission shall award damages, attorney's fees, and costs to any telecommunications carrier that was subjected to a violation of Section 13-514.

(b) The Commission may waive penalties imposed under subdivision (a)(2) if it makes a written finding as to its reasons for waiving the penalty. Reasons for waiving a penalty shall include, but not be limited to, technological infeasibility and acts of God.

(c) The Commission shall establish by rule procedures for the imposition of remedies under subsection (a) that, at a minimum, provide for notice, hearing and a written order relating to the imposition of remedies.

(d) Unless enforcement of an order entered by the Commission under Section 13-515 otherwise directs or is stayed by the Commission or by an appellate court reviewing the Commission's order, at any time after 30 days from the entry of the order, either the Commission, or the telecommunications carrier found by the Commission to have been subjected to a violation of Section 13-514, or both, is authorized to petition a court of competent jurisdiction for an order at law or in equity requiring enforcement of the Commission order. The court shall determine (1) whether the Commission entered the order identified in the petition and (2) whether the violating telecommunications carrier has complied with the Commission's order. A certified copy of a Commission order shall be prima facie evidence that the Commission entered the order so certified. Pending the court's resolution of the petition, the court may award temporary or preliminary injunctive relief, or such other equitable relief as may be necessary, to effectively implement and enforce the Commission's order in a timely manner.

If after a hearing the court finds that the Commission entered the order identified in the petition and that the violating telecommunications carrier has not complied with the Commission's order, the court shall enter judgment requiring the violating telecommunications carrier to comply with the Commission's order and order such relief at law or in equity as the court deems necessary to effectively implement and enforce the Commission's order in a timely manner. The court shall also award to the petitioner, or petitioners, attorney's fees and costs, which shall be taxed and collected as part of the costs of the case.

If the court finds that the violating telecommunications carrier has failed to comply with the timely payment of damages, attorney's fees, or costs ordered by the Commission, the court shall order the violating telecommunications carrier to pay to the telecommunications carrier or carriers awarded the damages, fees, or costs by the Commission additional damages for the sake of example and by way of punishment for the failure to timely comply with the order of the Commission, unless the court finds a reasonable basis for the violating telecommunications carrier's failure to make timely payment according to the Commission's order, in which instance the court shall establish a new date for payment to be made.

(e) Payment of damages, attorney's fees, and costs imposed under subsection (a) shall be made within 30 days after issuance of the Commission order imposing the penalties, damages, attorney's fees, or costs, unless otherwise directed by the Commission or a reviewing court under an appeal taken pursuant to Article X. Payment of penalties imposed under subsection (a) shall be made to the Common School Fund within 30 days of issuance of the Commission order imposing the penalties.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-517)

Sec. 13-517. Provision of advanced telecommunications services.

(a) Every Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (telecommunications carrier that offers or provides a noncompetitive telecommunications service) shall offer or provide advanced telecommunications services to not less than 80% of its customers by January 1, 2005.

(b) The Commission is authorized to grant a full or partial waiver of the requirements of this Section upon verified petition of any Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier ("ILEC") which demonstrates that full compliance with the requirements of this Section would be unduly economically burdensome or technically infeasible or otherwise impractical in exchanges with low population density. Notice of any such petition must be given to all potentially affected customers. If no potentially affected customer requests the opportunity for a hearing on the waiver petition, the Commission may, in its discretion, allow the waiver request to take effect without hearing. The Commission shall grant such petition to the extent that, and for such duration as, the Commission determines that such waiver:

(1) is necessary:

(A) to avoid a significant adverse economic impact on users of telecommunications services generally;

(B) to avoid imposing a requirement that is unduly economically burdensome;

(C) to avoid imposing a requirement that is technically infeasible; or

(D) to avoid imposing a requirement that is otherwise impractical to implement in exchanges with low population density; and

(2) is consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

The Commission shall act upon any petition filed under this subsection within 180 days after receiving such petition. The Commission may by rule establish standards for granting any waiver of the requirements of this Section. The Commission may, upon complaint or on its own motion, hold a hearing to reconsider its grant of a waiver in whole or in part. In the event that the Commission, following hearing, determines that the affected ILEC no longer meets the requirements of item (2) of this subsection, the Commission shall by order rescind such waiver, in whole or in part. In the event and to the degree the Commission rescinds such waiver, the Commission shall establish an implementation schedule for compliance with the requirements of this Section.

(c) As used in this Section, "advanced telecommunications services" means services capable of supporting, in at least one direction, a speed in excess of 200 kilobits per second (kbps) to the network demarcation point at the subscriber's premises.

(Source: P.A. 97-813, eff. 7-13-12.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-518)

Sec. 13-518. Optional service packages.

(a) It is the intent of this Section to provide unlimited local service packages at prices that will result in savings for the average consumer. Each telecommunications carrier that provides competitive and noncompetitive services, and that is subject to an alternative regulation plan pursuant to Section 13-506.1 of this Article, shall provide, in addition to such other services as it offers, the following optional packages of services for a fixed monthly rate, which, along with the terms and conditions thereof, the Commission shall review, pursuant to Article IX of this Act, to determine whether such rates, terms, and conditions are fair, just, and reasonable.

(1) A budget package, which shall consist of residential access service and unlimited local calls.

(2) A flat rate package, which shall consist of residential access service, unlimited local calls, and the customer's choice of 2 vertical services as defined in this Section.

(3) An enhanced flat rate package, which shall consist of residential access service for 2 lines, unlimited local calls, the customer's choice of 2 vertical services as defined in this Section, and unlimited local toll service.

(b) Nothing in this Section or this Act shall be construed to prohibit any telecommunications carrier subject to this Section from charging customers who elect to take one of the groups of services offered pursuant to this Section, any applicable surcharges, fees, and taxes.

(c) The term "vertical services", when used in this Section, includes, but is not necessarily limited to, call waiting, call forwarding, 3-way calling, caller ID, call tracing, automatic callback, repeat dialing, and voicemail.

(d) The service packages described in this Section shall be defined as noncompetitive services.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-519)

Sec. 13-519. Fire alarm; discontinuance of service. When a telecommunications carrier initiates a discontinuance of service on a known emergency system or fire alarm system that is required by the local authority to be a dedicated phone line circuit to the central dispatch of the fire department or fire protection district or, if applicable, the police department, the telecommunications carrier shall also transmit a copy of the written notice of discontinuance to that local authority.

(Source: P.A. 93-412, eff. 1-1-04.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-601) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-601)

Sec. 13-601. Application of Article VII. The provisions of Article VII of this Act are applicable only to telecommunications carriers offering or providing noncompetitive telecommunications service, and the Commission's regulation thereof, except that (1) the approval of contracts and arrangements with affiliated interests required by paragraph (3) of Section 7-101 shall not apply to such telecommunications carriers provided that, except as provided in item (2), those contracts and arrangements shall be filed with the Commission and (2) affiliated interest contracts or arrangements entered into by such telecommunications carriers where the increased obligation thereunder does not exceed the lesser of $5,000,000 or 5% of such carrier's prior annual revenue from noncompetitive services are not required to be filed with the Commission.

(Source: P.A. 89-440, eff. 12-15-95.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-701) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-701)

Sec. 13-701. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, the Commission has no power to supervise or control any telephone cooperative as respects assessment schedules or local service rates made or charged by such a cooperative on a nondiscriminatory basis. In addition, the Commission has no power to inquire into, or require the submission of, the terms, conditions or agreements by or under which telephone cooperatives are financed. A telephone cooperative shall file with the Commission either a copy of the annual financial report required by the Rural Electrification Administration, or the annual financial report required of other public utilities.

Sections 13-712 and 13-713 of this Act do not apply to telephone cooperatives.

(Source: P.A. 95-9, eff. 6-30-07; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-702) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-702)

Sec. 13-702. Every telecommunications carrier operating in this State shall receive, transmit and deliver, without discrimination or delay, the conversations, messages or other transmissions of every other telecommunications carrier with which a joint rate has been established or with whose line a physical connection may have been made.

(Source: P.A. 84-1063.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-703) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-703)

Sec. 13-703. (a) The Commission shall design and implement a program whereby each telecommunications carrier providing local exchange service shall provide a telecommunications device capable of servicing the needs of those persons with a hearing or speech disability together with a single party line, at no charge additional to the basic exchange rate, to any subscriber who is certified as having a hearing or speech disability by a hearing care professional, as defined in the Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act, a speech-language pathologist, or a qualified State agency and to any subscriber which is an organization serving the needs of those persons with a hearing or speech disability as determined and specified by the Commission pursuant to subsection (d).

(b) The Commission shall design and implement a program, whereby each telecommunications carrier providing local exchange service shall provide a telecommunications relay system, using third party intervention to connect those persons having a hearing or speech disability with persons of normal hearing by way of intercommunications devices and the telephone system, making available reasonable access to all phases of public telephone service to persons who have a hearing or speech disability. In order to design a telecommunications relay system which will meet the requirements of those persons with a hearing or speech disability available at a reasonable cost, the Commission shall initiate an investigation and conduct public hearings to determine the most cost-effective method of providing telecommunications relay service to those persons who have a hearing or speech disability when using telecommunications devices and therein solicit the advice, counsel, and physical assistance of Statewide nonprofit consumer organizations that serve persons with hearing or speech disabilities in such hearings and during the development and implementation of the system. The Commission shall phase in this program, on a geographical basis, as soon as is practicable, but no later than June 30, 1990.

(c) The Commission shall establish a competitively neutral rate recovery mechanism that establishes charges in an amount to be determined by the Commission for each line of a subscriber to allow telecommunications carriers providing local exchange service to recover costs as they are incurred under this Section. Beginning no later than April 1, 2016, and on a yearly basis thereafter, the Commission shall initiate a proceeding to establish the competitively neutral amount to be charged or assessed to subscribers of telecommunications carriers and wireless carriers, Interconnected VoIP service providers, and consumers of prepaid wireless telecommunications service in a manner consistent with this subsection (c) and subsection (f) of this Section. The Commission shall issue its order establishing the competitively neutral amount to be charged or assessed to subscribers of telecommunications carriers and wireless carriers, Interconnected VoIP service providers, and purchasers of prepaid wireless telecommunications service on or prior to June 1 of each year, and such amount shall take effect June 1 of each year.

Telecommunications carriers, wireless carriers, Interconnected VoIP service providers, and sellers of prepaid wireless telecommunications service shall have 60 days from the date the Commission files its order to implement the new rate established by the order.

(d) The Commission shall determine and specify those organizations serving the needs of those persons having a hearing or speech disability that shall receive a telecommunications device and in which offices the equipment shall be installed in the case of an organization having more than one office. For the purposes of this Section, "organizations serving the needs of those persons with hearing or speech disabilities" means centers for independent living as described in Section 12a of the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act and not-for-profit organizations whose primary purpose is serving the needs of those persons with hearing or speech disabilities. The Commission shall direct the telecommunications carriers subject to its jurisdiction and this Section to comply with its determinations and specifications in this regard.

(e) As used in this Section:

"Prepaid wireless telecommunications service" has the meaning given to that term under Section 10 of the Prepaid Wireless 9-1-1 Surcharge Act.

"Retail transaction" has the meaning given to that term under Section 10 of the Prepaid Wireless 9-1-1 Surcharge Act.

"Seller" has the meaning given to that term under Section 10 of the Prepaid Wireless 9-1-1 Surcharge Act.

"Telecommunications carrier providing local exchange service" includes, without otherwise limiting the meaning of the term, telecommunications carriers which are purely mutual concerns, having no rates or charges for services, but paying the operating expenses by assessment upon the members of such a company and no other person.

"Wireless carrier" has the meaning given to that term under Section 2 10 of the Wireless Emergency Telephone System Safety Act.

(f) Interconnected VoIP service providers, sellers of prepaid wireless telecommunications service, and wireless carriers in Illinois shall collect and remit assessments determined in accordance with this Section in a competitively neutral manner in the same manner as a telecommunications carrier providing local exchange service. However, the assessment imposed on consumers of prepaid wireless telecommunications service shall be collected by the seller from the consumer and imposed per retail transaction as a percentage of that retail transaction on all retail transactions occurring in this State. The assessment on subscribers of wireless carriers and consumers of prepaid wireless telecommunications service shall not be imposed or collected prior to June 1, 2016.

Sellers of prepaid wireless telecommunications service shall remit the assessments to the Department of Revenue on the same form and in the same manner which they remit the fee collected under the Prepaid Wireless 9-1-1 Surcharge Act. For the purposes of display on the consumers' receipts, the rates of the fee collected under the Prepaid Wireless 9-1-1 Surcharge Act and the assessment under this Section may be combined. In administration and enforcement of this Section, the provisions of Sections 15 and 20 of the Prepaid Wireless 9-1-1 Surcharge Act (except subsections (a), (a-5), (b-5), (e), and (e-5) of Section 15 and subsections (c) and (e) of Section 20 of the Prepaid Wireless 9-1-1 Surcharge Act and, from June 29, 2015 (the effective date of Public Act 99-6), the seller shall be permitted to deduct and retain 3% of the assessments that are collected by the seller from consumers and that are remitted and timely filed with the Department) that are not inconsistent with this Section, shall apply, as far as practicable, to the subject matter of this Section to the same extent as if those provisions were included in this Section. The Department shall deposit all assessments and penalties collected under this Section into the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury. On or before the 25th day of each calendar month, the Department shall prepare and certify to the Comptroller the amount available to the Commission for distribution out of the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation Fund. The amount certified shall be the amount (not including credit memoranda) collected during the second preceding calendar month by the Department, plus an amount the Department determines is necessary to offset any amounts which were erroneously paid to a different taxing body or fund. The amount paid to the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation Fund shall not include any amount equal to the amount of refunds made during the second preceding calendar month by the Department to retailers under this Section or any amount that the Department determines is necessary to offset any amounts which were payable to a different taxing body or fund but were erroneously paid to the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation Fund. The Commission shall distribute all the funds to the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation and the funds may only be used in accordance with the provisions of this Section. The Department shall deduct 2% of all amounts deposited in the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation Fund during every year of remitted assessments. Of the 2% deducted by the Department, one-half shall be transferred into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund to reimburse the Department for its direct costs of administering the collection and remittance of the assessment. The remaining one-half shall be transferred into the Public Utility Fund to reimburse the Commission for its costs of distributing to the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation the amount certified by the Department for distribution. The amount to be charged or assessed under subsections (c) and (f) is not imposed on a provider or the consumer for wireless Lifeline service where the consumer does not pay the provider for the service. Where the consumer purchases from the provider optional minutes, texts, or other services in addition to the federally funded Lifeline benefit, a consumer must pay the charge or assessment, and it must be collected by the seller according to this subsection (f).

Interconnected VoIP services shall not be considered an intrastate telecommunications service for the purposes of this Section in a manner inconsistent with federal law or Federal Communications Commission regulation.

(g) The provisions of this Section are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.

(h) The Commission may adopt rules necessary to implement this Section.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 6-29-15; 99-143, eff. 7-27-15; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16; 99-847, eff. 8-19-16; 99-933, eff. 1-27-17; revised 2-15-17.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-704) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-704)

Sec. 13-704. Each page of a billing statement which sets forth charges assessed against a customer by a telecommunications carrier for telecommunications service shall reflect the telephone number or customer account number to which the charges are being billed. If a telecommunications carrier offers electronic billing, customers may elect to have their bills sent electronically. Such bills shall be transmitted with instructions for payment. Information sent electronically shall be deemed to satisfy any requirement in this Section that such information be printed or written on a customer bill. Bills may be paid electronically or by the use of a customer-preferred financially accredited credit or debit methodology.

(Source: P.A. 96-927, eff. 6-15-10.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-705) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-705)

Sec. 13-705. Every telephone directory distributed after July 1, 1990 to the general public in this State which lists the calling numbers of telephones, of any telephone exchange located in this State, shall also contain a listing, at no additional charge, of any special calling number assigned to any telecommunication device for the deaf in use within the geographic area of coverage for the directory, unless the telephone company is notified by the telecommunication device subscriber that the subscriber does not wish the TDD number to be listed in the directory. Such listing shall include, but is not limited to, residential, commercial and governmental numbers with telecommunication device access and shall include a designation if the device is for print or display communication only or if it also accommodates voice transmission. In addition to the aforementioned requirements each telephone directory so distributed shall also contain a listing of any city and county emergency services and any police telecommunication device for the deaf calling numbers in the coverage area within this State which is included in the directory as well as the listing of the Illinois State Police emergency telecommunication device for the deaf calling number in Springfield. This emergency numbers listing shall be preceded by the words "Emergency Assistance for Deaf Persons" which shall be as legible and printed in the same size as all other emergency subheadings on the page; provided, that the provisions of this Section do not apply to those directories distributed solely for business advertising purposes, commonly known as classified directories.

(Source: P.A. 85-1404.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-706) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-706)

Sec. 13-706. Except as provided in Section 13-707 of this Act, all essential telephones, all coin-operated phones and all emergency telephones sold, rented or distributed by any other means in this State after July 1, 1990 shall be hearing-aid compatible. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any telephone that is manufactured before July 1, 1989.

(Source: P.A. 85-1440.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-707) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-707)

Sec. 13-707. The following telephones shall be exempt from the requirements of Section 13-706 of this Act: telephones used with public mobile services; telephones used with private radio services; and cordless telephones. The exemption provided in this Section shall not apply with respect to cordless telephones manufactured or imported more than 3 years after September 19, 1988. The Commission shall periodically assess the appropriateness of continuing in effect the exemptions provided herein for public mobile service and private radio service telephones and report their findings to the General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 85-1440.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-709)

Sec. 13-709. Orders of correction.

(a) A telecommunications carrier shall comply with orders of correction issued by the Department of Public Health under Section 5 of the Illinois Plumbing License Law.

(b) Upon receiving notification from the Department of Public Health that a telecommunications carrier has failed to comply with an order of correction, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall enforce the order.

(c) The good faith compliance by a telecommunications carrier with an order of the Department of Public Health or Illinois Commerce Commission to terminate service pursuant to Section 5 of the Illinois Plumbing License Law shall constitute a complete defense to any civil action brought against the telecommunications carrier arising from the termination of service.

(Source: P.A. 91-184, eff. 1-1-00.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-712)

Sec. 13-712. Basic local exchange service quality; customer credits.

(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly that every telecommunications carrier meet minimum service quality standards in providing noncompetitive basic local exchange service on a non-discriminatory basis to all classes of customers.

(b) Definitions:

(1) (Blank).

(2) "Basic local exchange service" means residential and business lines used for local exchange telecommunications service as defined in Section 13-204 of this Act, that have not been classified as competitive pursuant to either Section 13-502 or subdivision (c)(5) of Section 13-506.2 of this Act, excluding:

(A) services that employ advanced telecommunications capability as defined in Section 706(c)(1) of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996;

(B) vertical services;

(C) company official lines; and

(D) records work only.

(3) "Link Up" refers to the Link Up Assistance program defined and established at 47 C.F.R. Section 54.411 et seq. as amended.

(c) The Commission shall promulgate service quality rules for basic local exchange service, which may include fines, penalties, customer credits, and other enforcement mechanisms. In developing such service quality rules, the Commission shall consider, at a minimum, the carrier's gross annual intrastate revenue; the frequency, duration, and recurrence of the violation; and the relative harm caused to the affected customer or other users of the network. In imposing fines, the Commission shall take into account compensation or credits paid by the telecommunications carrier to its customers pursuant to this Section in compensation for the violation found pursuant to this Section. These rules shall become effective within one year after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly.

(d) The rules shall, at a minimum, require each telecommunications carrier to do all of the following:

(1) Install basic local exchange service within 5 business days after receipt of an order from the customer unless the customer requests an installation date that is beyond 5 business days after placing the order for basic service and to inform the customer of its duty to install service within this timeframe. If installation of service is requested on or by a date more than 5 business days in the future, the telecommunications carrier shall install service by the date requested. A telecommunications carrier offering basic local exchange service utilizing the network or network elements of another carrier shall install new lines for basic local exchange service within 3 business days after provisioning of the line or lines by the carrier whose network or network elements are being utilized is complete. This subdivision (d)(1) does not apply to the migration of a customer between telecommunications carriers, so long as the customer maintains dial tone.

(2) Restore basic local exchange service for a customer within 30 hours of receiving notice that a customer is out of service. This provision applies to service disruptions that occur when a customer switches existing basic local exchange service from one carrier to another.

(3) Keep all repair and installation appointments for basic local exchange service, when a customer premises visit requires a customer to be present.

(4) Inform a customer when a repair or installation appointment requires the customer to be present.

(e) The rules shall include provisions for customers to be credited by the telecommunications carrier for violations of basic local exchange service quality standards as described in subsection (d). The credits shall be applied on the statement issued to the customer for the next monthly billing cycle following the violation or following the discovery of the violation. The performance levels established in subsection (c) are solely for the purposes of consumer credits and shall not be used as performance levels for the purposes of assessing penalties under Section 13-305. At a minimum, the rules shall include the following:

(1) If a carrier fails to repair an out-of-service condition for basic local exchange service within 30 hours, the carrier shall provide a credit to the customer. If the service disruption is for over 30 hours but less than 48 hours, the credit must be equal to a pro-rata portion of the monthly recurring charges for all local services disrupted. If the service disruption is for more than 48 hours, but not more than 72 hours, the credit must be equal to at least 33% of one month's recurring charges for all local services disrupted. If the service disruption is for more than 72 hours, but not more than 96 hours, the credit must be equal to at least 67% of one month's recurring charges for all local services disrupted. If the service disruption is for more than 96 hours, but not more than 120 hours, the credit must be equal to one month's recurring charges for all local services disrupted. For each day or portion thereof that the service disruption continues beyond the initial 120-hour period, the carrier shall also provide an additional credit of $20 per day.

(2) If a carrier fails to install basic local exchange service as required under subdivision (d)(1), the carrier shall waive 50% of any installation charges, or in the absence of an installation charge or where installation is pursuant to the Link Up program, the carrier shall provide a credit of $25. If a carrier fails to install service within 10 business days after the service application is placed, or fails to install service within 5 business days after the customer's requested installation date, if the requested date was more than 5 business days after the date of the order, the carrier shall waive 100% of the installation charge, or in the absence of an installation charge or where installation is provided pursuant to the Link Up program, the carrier shall provide a credit of $50. For each day that the failure to install service continues beyond the initial 10 business days, or beyond 5 business days after the customer's requested installation date, if the requested date was more than 5 business days after the date of the order, the carrier shall also provide an additional credit of $20 per day until service is installed.

(3) If a carrier fails to keep a scheduled repair or installation appointment when a customer premises visit requires a customer to be present, the carrier shall credit the customer $25 per missed appointment. A credit required by this subsection does not apply when the carrier provides the customer notice of its inability to keep the appointment no later than 8 p.m. of the day prior to the scheduled date of the appointment.

(4) If the violation of a basic local exchange service quality standard is caused by a carrier other than the carrier providing retail service to the customer, the carrier providing retail service to the customer shall credit the customer as provided in this Section. The carrier causing the violation shall reimburse the carrier providing retail service the amount credited the customer. When applicable, an interconnection agreement shall govern compensation between the carrier causing the violation, in whole or in part, and the retail carrier providing the credit to the customer.

(5) (Blank).

(6) Credits required by this subsection do not apply if the violation of a service quality standard:

(i) occurs as a result of a negligent or willful act on the part of the customer;

(ii) occurs as a result of a malfunction of customer-owned telephone equipment or inside wiring;

(iii) occurs as a result of, or is extended by, an emergency situation as defined in Commission rules;

(iv) is extended by the carrier's inability to gain access to the customer's premises due to the customer missing an appointment, provided that the violation is not further extended by the carrier;

(v) occurs as a result of a customer request to change the scheduled appointment, provided that the violation is not further extended by the carrier;

(vi) occurs as a result of a carrier's right to refuse service to a customer as provided in Commission rules; or

(vii) occurs as a result of a lack of facilities where a customer requests service at a geographically remote location, a customer requests service in a geographic area where the carrier is not currently offering service, or there are insufficient facilities to meet the customer's request for service, subject to a carrier's obligation for reasonable facilities planning.

(7) The provisions of this subsection are cumulative and shall not in any way diminish or replace other civil or administrative remedies available to a customer or a class of customers.

(f) The rules shall require each telecommunications carrier to provide to the Commission, on a quarterly basis and in a form suitable for posting on the Commission's website, a public report that includes performance data for basic local exchange service quality of service. The performance data shall be disaggregated for each geographic area and each customer class of the State for which the telecommunications carrier internally monitored performance data as of a date 120 days preceding the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly. The report shall include, at a minimum, performance data on basic local exchange service installations, lines out of service for more than 30 hours, carrier response to customer calls, trouble reports, and missed repair and installation commitments.

(g) The Commission shall establish and implement carrier to carrier wholesale service quality rules and establish remedies to ensure enforcement of the rules.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-713)

Sec. 13-713. Consumer complaint resolution process.

(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly that consumer complaints against telecommunications carriers shall be concluded as expeditiously as possible consistent with the rights of the parties thereto to the due process of law and protection of the public interest.

(b) The Commission shall promulgate rules that permit parties to resolve disputes through mediation. A consumer may request mediation upon completion of the Commission's informal complaint process and prior to the initiation of a formal complaint as described in Commission rules.

(c) A residential consumer or business consumer with fewer than 20 lines shall have the right to request mediation for resolution of a dispute with a telecommunications carrier. The carrier shall be required to participate in mediation at the consumer's request.

(d) The Commission may retain the services of an independent neutral mediator or trained Commission staff to facilitate resolution of the consumer dispute. The mediation process must be completed no later than 45 days after the consumer requests mediation.

(e) If the parties reach agreement, the agreement shall be reduced to writing at the conclusion of the mediation. The writing shall contain mutual conditions, payment arrangements, or other terms that resolve the dispute in its entirety. If the parties are unable to reach agreement or after 45 days, whichever occurs first, the consumer may file a formal complaint with the Commission as described in Commission rules.

(f) If either the consumer or the carrier fails to abide by the terms of the settlement agreement, either party may exercise any rights it may have as specified in the terms of the agreement or as provided in Commission rules.

(g) All notes, writings and settlement discussions related to the mediation shall be exempt from discovery and shall be inadmissible in any agency or court proceeding.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-801) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-801)

Sec. 13-801. Incumbent local exchange carrier obligations.

(a) This Section provides additional State requirements contemplated by, but not inconsistent with, Section 261(c) of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, and not preempted by orders of the Federal Communications Commission. A telecommunications carrier not subject to regulation under an alternative regulation plan pursuant to Section 13-506.1 of this Act shall not be subject to the provisions of this Section, to the extent that this Section imposes requirements or obligations upon the telecommunications carrier that exceed or are more stringent than those obligations imposed by Section 251 of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 and regulations promulgated thereunder.

An incumbent local exchange carrier shall provide a requesting telecommunications carrier with interconnection, collocation, network elements, and access to operations support systems on just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory rates, terms, and conditions to enable the provision of any and all existing and new telecommunications services within the LATA, including, but not limited to, local exchange and exchange access. The Commission shall require the incumbent local exchange carrier to provide interconnection, collocation, and network elements in any manner technically feasible to the fullest extent possible to implement the maximum development of competitive telecommunications services offerings. As used in this Section, to the extent that interconnection, collocation, or network elements have been deployed for or by the incumbent local exchange carrier or one of its wireline local exchange affiliates in any jurisdiction, it shall be presumed that such is technically feasible in Illinois.

(b) Interconnection.

(1) An incumbent local exchange carrier shall provide for the facilities and equipment of any requesting telecommunications carrier's interconnection with the incumbent local exchange carrier's network on just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory rates, terms, and conditions:

(A) for the transmission and routing of local exchange, and exchange access telecommunications services;

(B) at any technically feasible point within the incumbent local exchange carrier's network; however, the incumbent local exchange carrier may not require the requesting carrier to interconnect at more than one technically feasible point within a LATA; and

(C) that is at least equal in quality and functionality to that provided by the incumbent local exchange carrier to itself or to any subsidiary, affiliate, or any other party to which the incumbent local exchange carrier provides interconnection.

(2) An incumbent local exchange carrier shall make available to any requesting telecommunications carrier, to the extent technically feasible, those services, facilities, or interconnection agreements or arrangements that the incumbent local exchange carrier or any of its incumbent local exchange subsidiaries or affiliates offers in another state under the terms and conditions, but not the stated rates, negotiated pursuant to Section 252 of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996. Rates shall be established in accordance with the requirements of subsection (g) of this Section. An incumbent local exchange carrier shall also make available to any requesting telecommunications carrier, to the extent technically feasible, and subject to the unbundling provisions of Section 251(d)(2) of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, those unbundled network element or interconnection agreements or arrangements that a local exchange carrier affiliate of the incumbent local exchange carrier obtains in another state from the incumbent local exchange carrier in that state, under the terms and conditions, but not the stated rates, obtained through negotiation, or through an arbitration initiated by the affiliate, pursuant to Section 252 of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996. Rates shall be established in accordance with the requirements of subsection (g) of this Section.

(c) Collocation. An incumbent local exchange carrier shall provide for physical or virtual collocation of any type of equipment for interconnection or access to network elements at the premises of the incumbent local exchange carrier on just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory rates, terms, and conditions. The equipment shall include, but is not limited to, optical transmission equipment, multiplexers, remote switching modules, and cross-connects between the facilities or equipment of other collocated carriers. The equipment shall also include microwave transmission facilities on the exterior and interior of the incumbent local exchange carrier's premises used for interconnection to, or for access to network elements of, the incumbent local exchange carrier or a collocated carrier, unless the incumbent local exchange carrier demonstrates to the Commission that it is not practical due to technical reasons or space limitations. An incumbent local exchange carrier shall allow, and provide for, the most reasonably direct and efficient cross-connects, that are consistent with safety and network reliability standards, between the facilities of collocated carriers. An incumbent local exchange carrier shall also allow, and provide for, cross connects between a noncollocated telecommunications carrier's network elements platform, or a noncollocated telecommunications carrier's transport facilities, and the facilities of any collocated carrier, consistent with safety and network reliability standards.

(d) Network elements. The incumbent local exchange carrier shall provide to any requesting telecommunications carrier, for the provision of an existing or a new telecommunications service, nondiscriminatory access to network elements on any unbundled or bundled basis, as requested, at any technically feasible point on just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory rates, terms, and conditions.

(1) An incumbent local exchange carrier shall provide unbundled network elements in a manner that allows requesting telecommunications carriers to combine those network elements to provide a telecommunications service.

(2) An incumbent local exchange carrier shall not separate network elements that are currently combined, except at the explicit direction of the requesting carrier.

(3) Upon request, an incumbent local exchange carrier shall combine any sequence of unbundled network elements that it ordinarily combines for itself, including but not limited to, unbundled network elements identified in The Draft of the Proposed Ameritech Illinois 271 Amendment (I2A) found in Schedule SJA-4 attached to Exhibit 3.1 filed by Illinois Bell Telephone Company on or about March 28, 2001 with the Illinois Commerce Commission under Illinois Commerce Commission Docket Number 00-0700. The Commission shall determine those network elements the incumbent local exchange carrier ordinarily combines for itself if there is a dispute between the incumbent local exchange carrier and the requesting telecommunications carrier under this subdivision of this Section of this Act.

The incumbent local exchange carrier shall be entitled to recover from the requesting telecommunications carrier any just and reasonable special construction costs incurred in combining such unbundled network elements (i) if such costs are not already included in the established price of providing the network elements, (ii) if the incumbent local exchange carrier charges such costs to its retail telecommunications end users, and (iii) if fully disclosed in advance to the requesting telecommunications carrier. The Commission shall determine whether the incumbent local exchange carrier is entitled to any special construction costs if there is a dispute between the incumbent local exchange carrier and the requesting telecommunications carrier under this subdivision of this Section of this Act.

(4) A telecommunications carrier may use a network elements platform consisting solely of combined network elements of the incumbent local exchange carrier to provide end to end telecommunications service for the provision of existing and new local exchange, interexchange that includes local, local toll, and intraLATA toll, and exchange access telecommunications services within the LATA to its end users or payphone service providers without the requesting telecommunications carrier's provision or use of any other facilities or functionalities.

(5) The Commission shall establish maximum time periods for the incumbent local exchange carrier's provision of network elements. The maximum time period shall be no longer than the time period for the incumbent local exchange carrier's provision of comparable retail telecommunications services utilizing those network elements. The Commission may establish a maximum time period for a particular network element that is shorter than for a comparable retail telecommunications service offered by the incumbent local exchange carrier if a requesting telecommunications carrier establishes that it shall perform other functions or activities after receipt of the particular network element to provide telecommunications services to end users. The burden of proof for establishing a maximum time period for a particular network element that is shorter than for a comparable retail telecommunications service offered by the incumbent local exchange carrier shall be on the requesting telecommunications carrier. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, unless and until the Commission establishes by rule or order a different specific maximum time interval, the maximum time intervals shall not exceed 5 business days for the provision of unbundled loops, both digital and analog, 10 business days for the conditioning of unbundled loops or for existing combinations of network elements for an end user that has existing local exchange telecommunications service, and one business day for the provision of the high frequency portion of the loop (line-sharing) for at least 95% of the requests of each requesting telecommunications carrier for each month.

In measuring the incumbent local exchange carrier's actual performance, the Commission shall ensure that occurrences beyond the control of the incumbent local exchange carrier that adversely affect the incumbent local exchange carrier's performance are excluded when determining actual performance levels. Such occurrences shall be determined by the Commission, but at a minimum must include work stoppage or other labor actions and acts of war. Exclusions shall also be made for performance that is governed by agreements approved by the Commission and containing timeframes for the same or similar measures or for when a requesting telecommunications carrier requests a longer time interval.

(6) When a telecommunications carrier requests a network elements platform referred to in subdivision (d)(4) of this Section, without the need for field work outside of the central office, for an end user that has existing local exchange telecommunications service provided by an incumbent local exchange carrier, or by another telecommunications carrier through the incumbent local exchange carrier's network elements platform, unless otherwise agreed by the telecommunications carriers, the incumbent local exchange carrier shall provide the requesting telecommunications carrier with the requested network elements platform within 3 business days for at least 95% of the requests for each requesting telecommunications carrier for each month. A requesting telecommunications carrier may order the network elements platform as is for an end user that has such existing local exchange service without changing any of the features previously selected by the end user. The incumbent local exchange carrier shall provide the requested network elements platform without any disruption to the end user's services.

Absent a contrary agreement between the telecommunications carriers entered into after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly, as of 12:01 a.m. on the third business day after placing the order for a network elements platform, the requesting telecommunications carrier shall be the presubscribed primary local exchange carrier for that end user line and shall be entitled to receive, or to direct the disposition of, all revenues for all services utilizing the network elements in the platform, unless it is established that the end user of the existing local exchange service did not authorize the requesting telecommunications carrier to make the request.

(e) Operations support systems. The Commission shall establish minimum standards with just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory rates, terms, and conditions for the preordering, ordering, provisioning, maintenance and repair, and billing functions of the incumbent local exchange carrier's operations support systems provided to other telecommunications carriers.

(f) Resale. An incumbent local exchange carrier shall offer all retail telecommunications services, that the incumbent local exchange carrier provides at retail to subscribers who are not telecommunications carriers, within the LATA, together with each applicable optional feature or functionality, subject to resale at wholesale rates without imposing any unreasonable or discriminatory conditions or limitations. Wholesale rates shall be based on the retail rates charged to end users for the telecommunications service requested, excluding the portion thereof attributable to any marketing, billing, collection, and other costs avoided by the local exchange carrier. The Commission may determine under Article IX of this Act that certain noncompetitive services, together with each applicable optional feature or functionality, that are offered to residence customers under different rates, charges, terms, or conditions than to other customers should not be subject to resale under the rates, charges, terms, or conditions available only to residence customers.

(g) Cost based rates. Interconnection, collocation, network elements, and operations support systems shall be provided by the incumbent local exchange carrier to requesting telecommunications carriers at cost based rates. The immediate implementation and provisioning of interconnection, collocation, network elements, and operations support systems shall not be delayed due to any lack of determination by the Commission as to the cost based rates. When cost based rates have not been established, within 30 days after the filing of a petition for the setting of interim rates, or after the Commission's own motion, the Commission shall provide for interim rates that shall remain in full force and effect until the cost based rate determination is made, or the interim rate is modified, by the Commission.

(h) Rural exemption. This Section does not apply to certain rural telephone companies as described in 47 U.S.C. 251(f).

(i) Schedule of rates. A telecommunications carrier may request the incumbent local exchange carrier to provide a schedule of rates listing each of the rate elements of the incumbent local exchange carrier that pertains to a proposed order identified by the requesting telecommunications carrier for any of the matters covered in this Section. The incumbent local exchange carrier shall deliver the requested schedule of rates to the requesting telecommunications carrier within 2 business days for 95% of the requests for each requesting carrier

(j) Special access circuits. Other than as provided in subdivision (d)(4) of this Section for the network elements platform described in that subdivision, nothing in this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly is intended to require or prohibit the substitution of switched or special access services by or with a combination of network elements nor address the Illinois Commerce Commission's jurisdiction or authority in this area.

(k) The Commission shall determine any matters in dispute between the incumbent local exchange carrier and the requesting carrier pursuant to Section 13-515 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-802.1)

Sec. 13-802.1. Depreciation; examination and audit; agreement conditions; federal Telecommunications Act of 1996.

(a) In performing any cost analysis authorized pursuant to this Act, the Commission may ascertain and determine and by order fix the proper and adequate rate of depreciation of the property for a telecommunications carrier for the purpose of such cost analysis.

(b) The Commission may provide for the examination and audit of all accounts. Items subject to the Commission's regulatory requirements shall be so allocated in the manner prescribed by the Commission. The officers and employees of the Commission shall have the authority under the direction of the Commission to inspect and examine any and all books, accounts, papers, records, and memoranda kept by the telecommunications carrier.

(c) The Commission is authorized to adopt rules and regulations concerning the conditions to be contained in and become a part of contracts for noncompetitive telecommunications services in a manner consistent with this Act and federal law.

(d) The Commission shall have the authority to, and shall engage in, all state regulatory actions needed to implement and enforce the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 consistent with federal law, including, but not limited to, the negotiation, arbitration, implementation, resolution of disputes and enforcement of interconnection agreements arising under Sections 251 and 252 of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-804)

Sec. 13-804. Broadband investment. Increased investment into broadband infrastructure is critical to the economic development of this State and a key component to the retention of existing jobs and the creation of new jobs. The removal of regulatory uncertainty will attract greater private-sector investment in broadband infrastructure. Notwithstanding other provisions of this Article:

(A) the Commission shall have the authority to certify providers of wireless services, including, but not limited to, private radio service, public mobile service, or commercial mobile service, as those terms are defined in 47 U.S.C. 332 on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly or as amended thereafter, to provide telecommunications services in Illinois;

(B) the Commission shall have the authority to certify providers of wireless services, including, but not limited to, private radio service, public mobile service, or commercial mobile service, as those terms are defined in 47 U.S.C. 332 on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly or as amended thereafter, as eligible telecommunications carriers in Illinois, as that term has the meaning prescribed in 47 U.S.C. 214 on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly or as amended thereafter;

(C) the Commission shall have the authority to register providers of fixed or non-nomadic Interconnected VoIP service as Interconnected VoIP service providers in Illinois in accordance with Section 401.1 of this Article;

(D) the Commission shall have the authority to require providers of Interconnected VoIP service to participate in hearing and speech disability programs; and

(E) the Commission shall have the authority to access information provided to the non-profit organization under Section 20 of the High Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Act, provided the Commission enters into a proprietary and confidentiality agreement governing such information.

Except to the extent expressly permitted by and consistent with federal law, the regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, this Article, Article XXI or XXII of this Act, or this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the Commission shall not regulate the rates, terms, conditions, quality of service, availability, classification, or any other aspect of service regarding (i) broadband services, (ii) Interconnected VoIP services, (iii) information services, as defined in 47 U.S.C. 153(20) on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly or as amended thereafter, or (iv) wireless services, including, but not limited to, private radio service, public mobile service, or commercial mobile service, as those terms are defined in 47 U.S.C. 332 on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly or as amended thereafter.

(Source: P.A. 96-927, eff. 6-15-10.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-900)

Sec. 13-900. Authority to serve as 9-1-1 system provider; rules.

(a) The General Assembly finds that it is necessary to require the certification of 9-1-1 system providers to ensure the safety of the lives and property of Illinoisans and Illinois businesses, and to otherwise protect and promote the public safety, health, and welfare of the citizens of this State and their property.

(b) For purposes of this Section:

"9-1-1 system" has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 2.19 of the Emergency Telephone System Act.

"9-1-1 system provider" means any person, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietorship, or entity of any description whatever that acts as a system provider within the meaning of Section 2.18 of the Emergency Telephone System Act.

"Emergency Telephone System Board" has the same meaning as that term is defined in Sections 2.11 and 15.4 of the Emergency Telephone System Act.

"Public safety agency personnel" means personnel employed by a public safety agency, as that term is defined in Section 2.02 of the Emergency Telephone System Act, whose responsibilities include responding to requests for emergency services.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, beginning July 1, 2010, it is unlawful for any 9-1-1 system provider to offer or provide or seek to offer or provide to any emergency telephone system board or 9-1-1 system, or agent, representative, or designee thereof, any network and database service used or intended to be used by any emergency telephone system board or 9-1-1 system for the purpose of answering, transferring, or relaying requests for emergency services, or dispatching public safety agency personnel in response to requests for emergency services, unless the 9-1-1 system provider has applied for and received a Certificate of 9-1-1 System Provider Authority from the Commission. The Commission shall approve an application for a Certificate of 9-1-1 System Provider Authority upon a showing by the applicant, and a finding by the Commission, after notice and hearing, that the applicant possesses sufficient technical, financial, and managerial resources and abilities to provide network service and database services that it seeks authority to provide in its application for service authority, in a safe, continuous, and uninterrupted manner.

(d) No incumbent local exchange carrier that provides, as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, any 9-1-1 network and 9-1-1 database service used or intended to be used by any Emergency Telephone System Board or 9-1-1 system, shall be required to obtain a Certificate of 9-1-1 System Provider Authority under this Section. No entity that possesses, as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, a Certificate of Service Authority and provides 9-1-1 network and 9-1-1 database services to any incumbent local exchange carrier as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall be required to obtain a Certificate of 9-1-1 System Provider Authority under this Section.

(e) Any and all enforcement authority granted to the Commission under this Section shall apply exclusively to 9-1-1 system providers granted a Certificate of Service Authority under this Section and shall not apply to incumbent local exchange carriers that are providing 9-1-1 service as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 96-25, eff. 6-30-09.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-900.1)

Sec. 13-900.1. Authority over 9-1-1 rates and terms of service. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the Commission retains its full authority over the rates and service quality as they apply to 9-1-1 system providers, including the Commission's existing authority over interconnection with 9-1-1 system providers and 9-1-1 systems. The rates, terms, and conditions for 9-1-1 service shall be tariffed and shall be provided in the manner prescribed by this Act and shall be subject to the applicable laws, including rules or regulations adopted and orders issued by the Commission or the Federal Communications Commission. The Commission retains this full authority regardless of the technologies utilized or deployed by 9-1-1 system providers.

(Source: P.A. 96-927, eff. 6-15-10; 97-333, eff. 8-12-11.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-900.2)

Sec. 13-900.2. Access services.

(a) This Section shall apply to switched access rates charged by all carriers other than Electing Providers whose switched access rates are governed by subsection (g) of Section 13-506.2 of this Act.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this Section, the rates of any telecommunications carrier, including, but not limited to, competitive local exchange carriers, providing intrastate switched access service shall be reduced to rates no higher than the carrier's rates for interstate switched access service as follows:

(1) by January 1, 2011, each telecommunications carrier must reduce its intrastate switched access rates by an amount equal to 50% of the difference between its then current intrastate switched access rates and its then current interstate switched access rates;

(2) by January 1, 2012, each telecommunications carrier must further reduce its intrastate switched access rates by an amount equal to 50% of the difference between its then current intrastate switched access rates and its then current interstate switched access rates;

(3) by July 1, 2012, each telecommunications carrier must reduce its intrastate switched access rates to mirror its then current interstate switched access rates and rate structure.

Following 24 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, each telecommunications carrier must continue to set its intrastate switched access rates to mirror its interstate switched access rates and rate structure. For purposes of this Section, the rate for intrastate switched access service means the composite, per-minute rate for that service, including all applicable fixed and traffic-sensitive charges, including, but not limited to, carrier common line charges.

(c) Subsection (b) of this Section shall not apply to incumbent local exchange carriers serving 35,000 or fewer access lines.

(d) Nothing in subsection (b) of this Section prohibits a telecommunications carrier from electing to offer intrastate switched access service at rates lower than its interstate rates.

(e) The Commission shall have no authority to order a telecommunications carrier to set its rates for intrastate switched access at a level lower than its interstate switched access rates.

(Source: P.A. 96-927, eff. 6-15-10.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-900.3)

Sec. 13-900.3. Regulatory flexibility for 9-1-1 system providers.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "Regional Pilot Project" to implement next generation 9-1-1 has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 2.22 of the Emergency Telephone System Act.

(b) For the limited purpose of a Regional Pilot Project to implement next generation 9-1-1, as defined in Section 13-900 of this Article, the Commission may forbear from applying any rule or provision of Section 13-900 as it applies to implementation of the Regional Pilot Project to implement next generation 9-1-1 if the Commission determines, after notice and hearing, that: (1) enforcement of the rule is not necessary to ensure the development and improvement of emergency communication procedures and facilities in such a manner as to be able to quickly respond to any person requesting 9-1-1 services from police, fire, medical, rescue, and other emergency services; (2) enforcement of the rule or provision is not necessary for the protection of consumers; and (3) forbearance from applying such provisions or rules is consistent with the public interest. The Commission may exercise such forbearance with respect to one, and only one, Regional Pilot Project as authorized by Sections 10 and 11 of the Emergency Telephone Systems Act to implement next generation 9-1-1.

(Source: P.A. 96-1443, eff. 8-20-10; 97-333, eff. 8-12-11.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-901) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 13-901)

Sec. 13-901. Operator Service Provider.

(a) For the purposes of this Section:

(1) "Operator service provider" means every telecommunications carrier that provides operator services or any other person or entity that the Commission determines is providing operator services.

(2) "Aggregator" means any person or entity that is not an operator service provider and that in the ordinary course of its operations makes telephones available to the public or to transient users of its premises including, but not limited to, a hotel, motel, hospital, or university for telephone calls between points within this State that are specified by the user using an operator service provider.

(3) "Operator services" means any telecommunications service that includes, as a component, any automatic or live assistance to a consumer to arrange for billing or completion, or both, of a telephone call between points within this State that are specified by the user through a method other than:

(A) automatic completion with billing to the telephone from which the call originated;

(B) completion through an access code or a proprietory account number used by the consumer, with billing to an account previously established with the carrier by the consumer; or

(C) completion in association with directory assistance services.

(b) The Commission shall, by rule or order, adopt and enforce operating requirements for the provision of operator-assisted services. The rules shall apply to operator service providers and to aggregators. The rules shall be compatible with the rules adopted by the Federal Communications Commission under the federal Telephone Operator Consumer Services Improvement Act of 1990. These requirements shall address, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

(1) oral and written notification of the identity of the operator service provider and the availability of information regarding operator service provider rates, collection methods, and complaint resolution methods;

(2) restrictions on billing and charges for operator services;

(3) restrictions on "call splashing" as that term is defined in 47 C.F.R. Section 64.708;

(4) access to other telecommunications carriers by the use of access codes including, but not limited to 800, 888, 950, and 10XXX numbers;

(5) the appropriate routing and handling of emergency calls;

(6) the enforcement of these rules through tariffs for operator services and by a requirement that operator service providers withhold payment of compensation to aggregators that have been found to be noncomplying by the Commission.

(c) The Commission shall adopt any rule necessary to make rules previously adopted under this Section compatible with the rules of the Federal Communications Commission no later than one year after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1993.

(d) A violation of any rule adopted by the Commission under subsection (b) is a business offense subject to a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000. In addition, the Commission may, after notice and hearing, order any telecommunications carrier to terminate service to any aggregator found to have violated any rule.

(Source: P.A. 90-38, eff. 6-27-97; 91-49, eff. 6-30-99.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-902)

Sec. 13-902. Authorization and verification of a subscriber's change in telecommunications carrier.

(a) Definitions; scope.

(1) "Submitting carrier" means any telecommunications carrier that requests on behalf of a subscriber that the subscriber's telecommunications carrier be changed and seeks to provide retail services to the end user subscriber.

(2) "Executing carrier" means any telecommunications carrier that effects a request that a subscriber's telecommunications carrier be changed.

(3) "Authorized carrier" means any telecommunications carrier that submits a change, on behalf of a subscriber, in the subscriber's selection of a provider of telecommunications service with the subscriber's authorization verified in accordance with the procedures specified in this Section.

(4) "Unauthorized carrier" means any telecommunications carrier that submits a change, on behalf of a subscriber, in the subscriber's selection of a provider of telecommunications service but fails to obtain the subscriber's authorization verified in accordance with the procedures specified in this Section.

(5) "Unauthorized change" means a change in a subscriber's selection of a provider of telecommunications service that was made without authorization verified in accordance with the verification procedures specified in this Section.

(6) "Subscriber" means:

(A) the party identified in the account records of a common carrier as responsible for payment of the telephone bill;

(B) any adult person authorized by such party to change telecommunications services or to charge services to the account; or

(C) any person contractually or otherwise lawfully authorized to represent such party.

This Section does not apply to retail business subscribers served by more than 20 lines.

(b) Authorization from the subscriber. "Authorization" means an express, affirmative act by a subscriber agreeing to the change in the subscriber's telecommunications carrier to another carrier. A subscriber's telecommunications service shall be provided by the telecommunications carrier selected by the subscriber.

(c) Authorization and verification of orders for telecommunications service.

(1) No telecommunications carrier shall submit or execute a change on behalf of a subscriber in the subscriber's selection of a provider of telecommunications service except in accordance with the procedures prescribed in this subsection.

(2) No submitting carrier shall submit a change on the behalf of a subscriber in the subscriber's selection of a provider of telecommunications service prior to obtaining:

(A) authorization from the subscriber; and

(B) verification of that authorization in accordance with the procedures prescribed in this Section.

The submitting carrier shall maintain and preserve records of verification of subscriber authorization for a minimum period of 2 years after obtaining such verification.

(3) An executing carrier shall not verify the submission of a change in a subscriber's selection of a provider of telecommunications service received from a submitting carrier. For an executing carrier, compliance with the procedures described in this Section shall be defined as prompt execution, without any unreasonable delay, of changes that have been verified by a submitting carrier.

(4) Commercial mobile radio services (CMRS) providers shall be excluded from the verification requirements of this Section as long as they are not required to provide equal access to common carriers for the provision of telephone toll services, in accordance with 47 U.S.C. 332(c)(8).

(5) Where a telecommunications carrier is selling more than one type of telecommunications service (e.g., local exchange, intraLATA/intrastate toll, interLATA/interstate toll, and international toll), that carrier must obtain separate authorization from the subscriber for each service sold, although the authorizations may be made within the same solicitation. Each authorization must be verified separately from any other authorizations obtained in the same solicitation. Each authorization must be verified in accordance with the verification procedures prescribed in this Section.

(6) No telecommunications carrier shall submit a preferred carrier change order unless and until the order has been confirmed in accordance with one of the following procedures:

(A) The telecommunications carrier has obtained the subscriber's written or electronically signed authorization in a form that meets the requirements of subsection (d).

(B) The telecommunications carrier has obtained the subscriber's electronic authorization to submit the preferred carrier change order. Such authorization must be placed from the telephone number or numbers on which the preferred carrier is to be changed and must confirm the information in subsections (b) and (c) of this Section. Telecommunications carriers electing to confirm sales electronically shall establish one or more toll-free telephone numbers exclusively for that purpose. Calls to the toll-free telephone numbers must connect a subscriber to a voice response unit, or similar mechanism, that records the required information regarding the preferred carrier change, including automatically recording the originating automatic number identification.

(C) An appropriately qualified independent third party has obtained, in accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraphs (7) through (10) of this subsection, the subscriber's oral authorization to submit the preferred carrier change order that confirms and includes appropriate verification data. The independent third party must not be owned, managed, controlled, or directed by the carrier or the carrier's marketing agent; must not have any financial incentive to confirm preferred carrier change orders for the carrier or the carrier's marketing agent; and must operate in a location physically separate from the carrier or the carrier's marketing agent.

(7) Methods of third party verification. Automated third party verification systems and three-way conference calls may be used for verification purposes so long as the requirements of paragraphs (8) through (10) of this subsection are satisfied.

(8) Carrier initiation of third party verification. A carrier or a carrier's sales representative initiating a three-way conference call or a call through an automated verification system must drop off the call once the three-way connection has been established.

(9) Requirements for content and format of third party verification. All third party verification methods shall elicit, at a minimum, the identity of the subscriber; confirmation that the person on the call is authorized to make the carrier change; confirmation that the person on the call wants to make the carrier change; the names of the carriers affected by the change; the telephone numbers to be switched; and the types of service involved. Third party verifiers may not market the carrier's services by providing additional information, including information regarding preferred carrier freeze procedures.

(10) Other requirements for third party verification. All third party verifications shall be conducted in the same language that was used in the underlying sales transaction and shall be recorded in their entirety. In accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraph (2)(B) of this subsection, submitting carriers shall maintain and preserve audio records of verification of subscriber authorization for a minimum period of 2 years after obtaining such verification. Automated systems must provide consumers with an option to speak with a live person at any time during the call.

(11) Telecommunications carriers must provide subscribers the option of using one of the authorization and verification procedures specified in paragraph (6) of this subsection in addition to an electronically signed authorization and verification procedure under paragraph (6)(A) of this subsection.

(d) Letter of agency form and content.

(1) A telecommunications carrier may use a written or electronically signed letter of agency to obtain authorization or verification, or both, of a subscriber's request to change his or her preferred carrier selection. A letter of agency that does not conform with this Section is invalid for purposes of this Section.

(2) The letter of agency shall be a separate document (or an easily separable document) or located on a separate screen or webpage containing only the authorizing language described in paragraph (5) of this subsection having the sole purpose of authorizing a telecommunications carrier to initiate a preferred carrier change. The letter of agency must be signed and dated by the subscriber to the telephone line or lines requesting the preferred carrier change.

(3) The letter of agency shall not be combined on the same document, screen, or webpage with inducements of any kind.

(4) Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, the letter of agency may be combined with checks that contain only the required letter of agency language as prescribed in paragraph (5) of this subsection and the necessary information to make the check a negotiable instrument. The letter of agency check shall not contain any promotional language or material. The letter of agency check shall contain in easily readable, bold-face type on the front of the check, a notice that the subscriber is authorizing a preferred carrier change by signing the check. The letter of agency language shall be placed near the signature line on the back of the check.

(5) At a minimum, the letter of agency must be printed with a type of sufficient size and readability to be clearly legible and must contain clear and unambiguous language that confirms:

(A) The subscriber's billing name and address and each telephone number to be covered by the preferred carrier change order;

(B) The decision to change the preferred carrier from the current telecommunications carrier to the soliciting telecommunications carrier;

(C) That the subscriber designates (insert the name of the submitting carrier) to act as the subscriber's agent for the preferred carrier change;

(D) That the subscriber understands that only one telecommunications carrier may be designated as the subscriber's interstate or interLATA preferred interexchange carrier for any one telephone number. To the extent that a jurisdiction allows the selection of additional preferred carriers (e.g., local exchange, intraLATA/intrastate toll, interLATA/interstate toll, or international interexchange) the letter of agency must contain separate statements regarding those choices, although a separate letter of agency for each choice is not necessary; and

(E) That the subscriber may consult with the carrier as to whether a fee will apply to the change in the subscriber's preferred carrier.

(6) Any carrier designated in a letter of agency as a preferred carrier must be the carrier directly setting the rates for the subscriber.

(7) Letters of agency shall not suggest or require that a subscriber take some action in order to retain the subscriber's current telecommunications carrier.

(8) If any portion of a letter of agency is translated into another language then all portions of the letter of agency must be translated into that language. Every letter of agency must be translated into the same language as any promotional materials, oral descriptions, or instructions provided with the letter of agency.

(9) Letters of agency submitted with an electronically signed authorization must include the consumer disclosures required by Section 101(c) of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.

(10) A telecommunications carrier shall submit a preferred carrier change order on behalf of a subscriber within no more than 60 days after obtaining a written or electronically signed letter of agency.

(11) If a telecommunications carrier uses a letter of agency, the carrier shall send a letter to the subscriber using first class mail, postage prepaid, no later than 10 days after the telecommunications carrier submitting the change in the subscriber's telecommunications carrier is on notice that the change has occurred. The letter must inform the subscriber of the details of the telecommunications carrier change and provide the subscriber with a toll free number to call should the subscriber wish to cancel the change.

(e) A switch in a subscriber's selection of a provider of telecommunications service that complies with the rules promulgated by the Federal Communications Commission and any amendments thereto shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of this Section.

(f) The Commission shall promulgate any rules necessary to administer this Section. The rules promulgated under this Section shall comport with the rules, if any, promulgated by the Attorney General pursuant to the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and with any rules promulgated by the Federal Communications Commission.

(g) Complaints may be filed with the Commission under this Section by a subscriber whose telecommunications service has been provided by an unauthorized telecommunications carrier as a result of an unreasonable delay, by a subscriber whose telecommunications carrier has been changed to another telecommunications carrier in a manner not in compliance with this Section, by a subscriber's authorized telecommunications carrier that has been removed as a subscriber's telecommunications carrier in a manner not in compliance with this Section, by a subscriber's authorized submitting carrier whose change order was delayed unreasonably, or by the Commission on its own motion. Upon filing of the complaint, the parties may mutually agree to submit the complaint to the Commission's established mediation process. Remedies in the mediation process may include, but shall not be limited to, the remedies set forth in this subsection. In its discretion, the Commission may deny the availability of the mediation process and submit the complaint to hearings. If the complaint is not submitted to mediation or if no agreement is reached during the mediation process, hearings shall be held on the complaint. If, after notice and hearing, the Commission finds that a telecommunications carrier has violated this Section or a rule promulgated under this Section, the Commission may in its discretion do any one or more of the following:

(1) Require the violating telecommunications carrier to refund to the subscriber all fees and charges collected from the subscriber for services up to the time the subscriber receives written notice of the fact that the violating carrier is providing telecommunications service to the subscriber, including notice on the subscriber's bill. For unreasonable delays wherein telecommunications service is provided by an unauthorized carrier, the Commission may require the violating carrier to refund to the subscriber all fees and charges collected from the subscriber during the unreasonable delay. The Commission may order the remedial action outlined in this subsection only to the extent that the same remedial action is allowed pursuant to rules or regulations promulgated by the Federal Communications Commission.

(2) Require the violating telecommunications carrier to refund to the subscriber charges collected in excess of those that would have been charged by the subscriber's authorized telecommunications carrier.

(3) Require the violating telecommunications carrier to pay to the subscriber's authorized telecommunications carrier the amount the authorized telecommunications carrier would have collected for the telecommunications service. The Commission is authorized to reduce this payment by any amount already paid by the violating telecommunications carrier to the subscriber's authorized telecommunications carrier for those telecommunications services.

(4) Require the violating telecommunications carrier to pay a fine of up to $1,000 into the Public Utility Fund for each repeated and intentional violation of this Section.

(5) Issue a cease and desist order.

(6) For a pattern of violation of this Section or for intentionally violating a cease and desist order, revoke the violating telecommunications carrier's certificate of service authority.

(Source: P.A. 92-22, eff. 6-30-01.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-903)

Sec. 13-903. Authorization, verification or notification, and dispute resolution for covered product and service charges on the telephone bill.

(a) Definitions. As used in this Section:

(1) "Subscriber" means a telecommunications carrier's retail business customer served by not more than 20 lines or a retail residential customer.

(2) "Telecommunications carrier" has the meaning given in Section 13-202 of the Public Utilities Act and includes agents and employees of a telecommunications carrier, except that "telecommunications carrier" does not include a provider of commercial mobile radio services (as defined by 47 U.S.C. 332(d)(1)).

(b) Applicability of Section. This Section does not apply to:

(1) changes in a subscriber's local exchange telecommunications service or interexchange telecommunications service;

(2) message telecommunications charges that are initiated by dialing 1+, 0+, 0-, 1010XXX, or collect calls and charges for video services if the service provider has the necessary call detail record to establish the billing for the call or service; and

(3) telecommunications services available on a subscriber's line when the subscriber activates and pays for the services on a per use basis.

(c) Requirements for billing authorized charges. A telecommunications carrier shall meet all of the following requirements before submitting charges for any product or service to be billed on any subscriber's telephone bill:

(1) Inform the subscriber. The telecommunications carrier offering the product or service must thoroughly inform the subscriber of the product or service being offered, including all associated charges, and explicitly inform the subscriber that the associated charges for the product or service will appear on the subscriber's telephone bill.

(2) Obtain subscriber authorization. The subscriber must have clearly and explicitly consented to obtaining the product or service offered and to having the associated charges appear on the subscriber's telephone bill. The consent must be verified by the service provider in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section. A record of the consent must be maintained by the telecommunications carrier offering the product or service for at least 24 months immediately after the consent and verification were obtained.

(d) Verification or notification. Except in subscriber-initiated transactions with a certificated telecommunications carrier for which the telecommunications carrier has the appropriate documentation, the telecommunications carrier, after obtaining the subscriber's authorization in the required manner, shall either verify the authorization or notify the subscriber as follows:

(1) Independent third-party verification:

(A) Verification shall be obtained by an independent third party that:

(i) operates from a facility physically separate from that of the telecommunications carrier;

(ii) is not directly or indirectly managed, controlled, directed, or owned wholly or in part by the telecommunications carrier or the carrier's marketing agent; and

(iii) does not derive commissions or compensation based upon the number of sales confirmed.

(B) The third-party verification agent shall state, and shall obtain the subscriber's acknowledgment of, the following disclosures:

(i) the subscriber's name, address, and the telephone numbers of all telephone lines that will be charged for the product or service of the telecommunications carrier;

(ii) that the person speaking to the third party verification agent is in fact the subscriber;

(iii) that the subscriber wishes to purchase the product or service of the telecommunications carrier and is agreeing to do so;

(iv) that the subscriber understands that the charges for the product or service of the telecommunications carrier will appear on the subscriber's telephone bill; and

(v) the name and customer service telephone number of the telecommunications carrier.

(C) The telecommunications carrier shall retain, electronically or otherwise, proof of the verification of sales for a minimum of 24 months.

(2) Notification. Written notification shall be provided as follows:

(A) the telecommunications carrier shall mail a letter to the subscriber using first class mail, postage prepaid, no later than 10 days after initiation of the product or service;

(B) the letter shall be a separate document sent for the sole purpose of describing the product or service of the telecommunications carrier;

(C) the letter shall be printed with 10-point or larger type and clearly and conspicuously disclose the material terms and conditions of the offer of the telecommunications carrier, as described in paragraph (1) of subsection (c);

(D) the letter shall contain a toll-free telephone number the subscriber can call to cancel the product or service;

(E) the telecommunications carrier shall retain, electronically or otherwise, proof of written notification for a minimum of 24 months; and

(F) written notification can be provided via electronic mail if consumers are given the disclosures required by Section 101(c) of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.

(e) Unauthorized charges.

(1) Responsibilities of the billing telecommunications carrier for unauthorized charges. If a subscriber's telephone bill is charged for any product or service without proper subscriber authorization and verification or notification of authorization in compliance with this Section, the telecommunications carrier that billed the subscriber, on its knowledge or notification of any unauthorized charge, shall promptly, but not later than 45 days after the date of the knowledge or notification of an unauthorized charge:

(A) notify the product or service provider to immediately cease charging the subscriber for the unauthorized product or service;

(B) remove the unauthorized charge from the subscriber's bill; and

(C) refund or credit to the subscriber all money that the subscriber has paid for any unauthorized charge.

(f) The Commission shall promulgate any rules necessary to ensure that subscribers are not billed on the telephone bill for products or services in a manner not in compliance with this Section. The rules promulgated under this Section shall comport with the rules, if any, promulgated by the Attorney General pursuant to the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and with any rules promulgated by the Federal Communications Commission or Federal Trade Commission.

(g) Complaints may be filed with the Commission under this Section by a subscriber who has been billed on the telephone bill for products or services not in compliance with this Section or by the Commission on its own motion. Upon filing of the complaint, the parties may mutually agree to submit the complaint to the Commission's established mediation process. Remedies in the mediation process may include, but shall not be limited to, the remedies set forth in paragraphs (1) through (4) of this subsection. In its discretion, the Commission may deny the availability of the mediation process and submit the complaint to hearings. If the complaint is not submitted to mediation or if no agreement is reached during the mediation process, hearings shall be held on the complaint pursuant to Article X of this Act. If after notice and hearing, the Commission finds that a telecommunications carrier has violated this Section or a rule promulgated under this Section, the Commission may in its discretion order any one or more of the following:

(1) Require the violating telecommunications carrier to pay a fine of up to $1,000 into the Public Utility Fund for each repeated and intentional violation of this Section.

(2) Require the violating carrier to refund or cancel all charges for products or services not billed in compliance with this Section.

(3) Issue a cease and desist order.

(4) For a pattern of violation of this Section or for intentionally violating a cease and desist order, revoke the violating telecommunications carrier's certificate of service authority.

(Source: P.A. 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

(220 ILCS 5/13-904 new)

Sec. 13-904. Continuation of Article; validation.

(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly manifests the intention of the General Assembly to extend the repeal of this Article and have this Article continue in effect until December 31, 2020.

(b) This Article shall be deemed to have been in continuous effect since July 1, 2017 and it shall continue to be in effect henceforward until it is otherwise lawfully repealed. All previously enacted amendments to this Article taking effect on or after July 1, 2017, are hereby validated. All actions taken in reliance on or under this Article by the Illinois Commerce Commission or any other person or entity are hereby validated.

(c) In order to ensure the continuing effectiveness of this Article, it is set forth in full and reenacted by this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly. Striking and underscoring are used only to show changes being made to the base text. This reenactment is intended as a continuation of this Article. It is not intended to supersede any amendment to this Article that is enacted by the 100th General Assembly.

(220 ILCS 5/13-1200)

Sec. 13-1200. Repealer. This Article is repealed December 31, 2020 July 1, 2017.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13; 99-6, eff. 6-29-15.)

(220 ILCS 5/Art. XXI heading)

ARTICLE XXI. CABLE AND VIDEO COMPETITION

(Source: P.A. 95-9, eff. 6-30-07.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-100)

Sec. 21-100. Short title. This Article may be cited as the Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007.

(Source: P.A. 95-9, eff. 6-30-07.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-101)

Sec. 21-101. Findings. With respect to cable and video competition, the General Assembly finds that:

(a) The economy in the State of Illinois will be enhanced by investment in new communications, cable services, and video services infrastructure, including broadband facilities, fiber optic, and Internet protocol technologies.

(b) Cable services and video services bring important daily benefits to Illinois consumers by providing news, education, and entertainment.

(c) Competitive cable service and video service providers are capable of providing new video programming services and competition to Illinois consumers and of decreasing the prices for video programming services paid by Illinois consumers.

(d) Although there has been some competitive entry into the facilities-based video programming market since current franchising requirements in this State were enacted, further entry by facilities-based providers could benefit consumers, provided cable and video services are equitably available to all Illinois consumers at reasonable prices.

(e) The provision of competitive cable services and video services is a matter of statewide concern that extends beyond the boundaries of individual local units of government. Notwithstanding the foregoing, public rights-of-way are limited resources over which the municipality has a custodial duty to ensure that they are used, repaired, and maintained in a manner that best serves the public interest.

(f) The State authorization process and uniform standards and procedures in this Article are intended to enable rapid and widespread entry by competitive providers, which will bring to Illinois consumers the benefits of video competition, including providing consumers with more choice, lower prices, higher speed and more advanced Internet access, more diverse and varied news, public information, education, and entertainment programming, and will bring to this State and its local units of government the benefits of new infrastructure investment, job growth, and innovation in broadband and Internet protocol technologies and deployment.

(g) Providing an incumbent cable or video service provider with the option to secure a State-issued authorization through the termination of existing cable franchises between incumbent cable and video service providers and any local franchising authority is part of the new regulatory framework established by this Article. This Article is intended to best ensure equal treatment and parity among providers and technologies.

(Source: P.A. 95-9, eff. 6-30-07; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-101.1)

Sec. 21-101.1. Applicability. The provisions of Public Act 95-9 shall apply only to a holder of a cable service or video service authorization issued by the Commission pursuant to this Article, and shall not apply to any person or entity that provides cable television services under a cable television franchise issued by any municipality or county pursuant to Section 11-42-11 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-42-11) or Section 5-1095 of the Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/5-1095), unless specifically provided for herein. A local unit of government that has an existing agreement for the provision of video services with a company or entity that uses its telecommunications facilities to provide video service as of May 30, 2007 may continue to operate under that agreement or may, at its discretion, terminate the existing agreement and require the video provider to obtain a State-issued authorization under this Article.

(Source: P.A. 95-9, eff. 6-30-07; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-201)

Sec. 21-201. Definitions. As used in this Article:

(a) "Access" means that the cable or video provider is capable of providing cable services or video services at the household address using any technology, other than direct-to-home satellite service, that provides 2-way broadband Internet capability and video programming, content, and functionality, regardless of whether any customer has ordered service or whether the owner or landlord or other responsible person has granted access to the household. If more than one technology is used, the technologies shall provide similar 2-way broadband Internet accessibility and similar video programming.

(b) "Basic cable or video service" means any cable or video service offering or tier that includes the retransmission of local television broadcast signals.

(c) "Broadband service" means a high speed service connection to the public Internet capable of supporting, in at least one direction, a speed in excess of 200 kilobits per second (kbps) to the network demarcation point at the subscriber's premises.

(d) "Cable operator" means that term as defined in item (5) of 47 U.S.C. 522.

(e) "Cable service" means that term as defined in item (6) of 47 U.S.C. 522.

(f) "Cable system" means that term as defined in item (7) of 47 U.S.C. 522.

(g) "Commission" means the Illinois Commerce Commission.

(h) "Competitive cable service or video service provider" means a person or entity that is providing or seeks to provide cable service or video service in an area where there is at least one incumbent cable operator.

(i) "Designated market area" means a designated market area, as determined by Nielsen Media Research and published in the 1999-2000 Nielsen Station Index Directory and Nielsen Station Index United States Television Household Estimates or any successor publication. For any designated market area that crosses State lines, only households in the portion of the designated market area that is located within the holder's telecommunications service area in the State where access to video service will be offered shall be considered.

(j) "Footprint" means the geographic area designated by the cable service or video service provider as the geographic area in which it will offer cable services or video services during the period of its State-issued authorization. Each footprint shall be identified in terms of either (i) exchanges, as that term is defined in Section 13-206 of this Act; (ii) a collection of United States Census Bureau Block numbers (13 digit); (iii) if the area is smaller than the areas identified in either (i) or (ii), by geographic information system digital boundaries meeting or exceeding national map accuracy standards; or (iv) local units of government.

(k) "Holder" means a person or entity that has received authorization to offer or provide cable or video service from the Commission pursuant to Section 21-401 of this Article.

(l) "Household" means a house, an apartment, a mobile home, a group of rooms, or a single room that is intended for occupancy as separate living quarters. Separate living quarters are those in which the occupants live and eat separately from any other persons in the building and that have direct access from the outside of the building or through a common hall. This definition is consistent with the United States Census Bureau, as that definition may be amended thereafter.

(m) "Incumbent cable operator" means a person or entity that provided cable services or video services in a particular area under a franchise agreement with a local unit of government pursuant to Section 11-42-11 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-42-11) or Section 5-1095 of the Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/5-1095) on January 1, 2007.

(n) "Local franchising authority" means the local unit of government that has or requires a franchise with a cable operator, a provider of cable services, or a provider of video services to construct or operate a cable or video system or to offer cable services or video services under Section 11-42-11 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-42-11) or Section 5-1095 of the Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/5-1095).

(o) "Local unit of government" means a city, village, incorporated town, or county.

(p) "Low-income household" means those residential households located within the holder's existing telephone service area where the average annual household income is less than $35,000, based on the United States Census Bureau estimates adjusted annually to reflect rates of change and distribution.

(q) "Public rights-of-way" means the areas on, below, or above a public roadway, highway, street, public sidewalk, alley, waterway, or utility easements dedicated for compatible uses.

(r) "Service" means the provision of cable service or video service to subscribers and the interaction of subscribers with the person or entity that has received authorization to offer or provide cable or video service from the Commission pursuant to Section 21-401 of this Act.

(s) "Service provider fee" means the amount paid under Section 21-801 of this Act by the holder to a municipality, or in the case of an unincorporated service area to a county, for service areas within its territorial jurisdiction, but under no circumstances shall the service provider fee be paid to more than one local unit of government for the same portion of the holder's service area.

(t) "Telecommunications service area" means the area designated by the Commission as the area in which a telecommunications company was obligated to provide non-competitive local telephone service as of February 8, 1996 as incorporated into Section 13-202.5 of this Act.

(u) "Video programming" means that term as defined in item (20) of 47 U.S.C. 522.

(v) "Video service" means video programming and subscriber interaction, if any, that is required for the selection or use of such video programming services, and that is provided through wireline facilities located at least in part in the public rights-of-way without regard to delivery technology, including Internet protocol technology. This definition does not include any video programming provided by a commercial mobile service provider defined in subsection (d) of 47 U.S.C. 332 or any video programming provided solely as part of, and via, service that enables users to access content, information, electronic mail, or other services offered over the public Internet.

(Source: P.A. 95-9, eff. 6-30-07; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-301)

Sec. 21-301. Eligibility.

(a) A person or entity seeking to provide cable service or video service in this State after June 30, 2007 (the effective date of Public Act 95-9) shall either (1) obtain a State-issued authorization pursuant to Section 21-401 of the Public Utilities Act (220 ILCS 5/21-401); (2) obtain authorization pursuant to Section 11-42-11 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-42-11); or (3) obtain authorization pursuant to Section 5-1095 of the Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/5-1095).

(b) An incumbent cable operator shall be eligible to apply for a State-issued authorization as provided in subsection (c) of this Section. Upon expiration of its current franchise agreement, an incumbent cable operator may obtain State authorization from the Commission pursuant to this Article or may pursue a franchise renewal with the appropriate local franchise authority under State and federal law. An incumbent cable operator and any successor-in-interest that receives a State-issued authorization shall be obligated to provide access to cable services or video services within any local unit of government at the same levels required by the local franchising authorities for the local unit of government on June 30, 2007 (the effective date of Public Act 95-9).

(c)(1) An incumbent cable operator may elect to terminate its agreement with the local franchising authority and obtain a State-issued authorization by providing written notice to the Commission and the affected local franchising authority and any entity authorized by that franchising authority to manage public, education, and government access at least 180 days prior to its filing an application for a State-issued authorization. The existing agreement shall be terminated on the date that the Commission issues the State-issued authorization.

(2) An incumbent cable operator that elects to terminate an existing agreement with a local franchising authority under this Section is responsible for remitting to the affected local franchising authority and any entity designated by that local franchising authority to manage public, education, and government access before the 46th day after the date the agreement is terminated any accrued but unpaid fees due under the terminated agreement. If that incumbent cable operator has credit remaining from prepaid franchise fees, such amount of the remaining credit may be deducted from any future fees the incumbent cable operator must pay to the local franchising authority pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 21-801 of this Act.

(3) An incumbent cable operator that elects to terminate an existing agreement with a local franchising authority under this Section shall pay the affected local franchising authority and any entity designated by that franchising authority to manage public, education, and government access, at the time that they would have been due, all monetary payments for public, education, or government access that would have been due during the remaining term of the agreement had it not been terminated as provided in this paragraph. All payments made by an incumbent cable operator pursuant to the previous sentence of this paragraph may be credited against the fees that that operator owes under item (1) of subsection (d) of Section 21-801 of this Act.

(d) For purposes of this Article, the Commission shall be the franchising authority for cable service or video service providers that apply for and obtain a State-issued authorization under this Article with regard to the footprint covered by such authorization. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, holders using telecommunications facilities to provide cable service or video service are not obligated to provide that service outside the holder's telecommunications service area.

(e) Any person or entity that applies for and obtains a State-issued authorization under this Article shall not be subject to Section 11-42-11 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-42-11) or Section 5-1095 of the Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/5-1095), except as provided in this Article. Except as provided under this Article, neither the Commission nor any local unit of government may require a person or entity that has applied for and obtained a State-issued authorization to obtain a separate franchise or pay any franchise fee on cable service or video service.

(Source: P.A. 95-9, eff. 6-30-07; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-401)

Sec. 21-401. Applications.

(a)(1) A person or entity seeking to provide cable service or video service pursuant to this Article shall not use the public rights-of-way for the installation or construction of facilities for the provision of cable service or video service or offer cable service or video service until it has obtained a State-issued authorization to offer or provide cable or video service under this Section, except as provided for in item (2) of this subsection (a). All cable or video providers offering or providing service in this State shall have authorization pursuant to either (i) the Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007 (220 ILCS 5/21-100 et seq.); (ii) Section 11-42-11 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-42-11); or (iii) Section 5-1095 of the Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/5-1095).

(2) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a local unit of government from granting a permit to a person or entity for the use of the public rights-of-way to install or construct facilities to provide cable service or video service, at its sole discretion. No unit of local government shall be liable for denial or delay of a permit prior to the issuance of a State-issued authorization.

(b) The application to the Commission for State-issued authorization shall contain a completed affidavit submitted by the applicant and signed by an officer or general partner of the applicant affirming all of the following:

(1) That the applicant has filed or will timely file with the Federal Communications Commission all forms required by that agency in advance of offering cable service or video service in this State.

(2) That the applicant agrees to comply with all applicable federal and State statutes and regulations.

(3) That the applicant agrees to comply with all applicable local unit of government regulations.

(4) An exact description of the cable service or video service area where the cable service or video service will be offered during the term of the State-issued authorization. The service area shall be identified in terms of either (i) exchanges, as that term is defined in Section 13-206 of this Act; (ii) a collection of United States Census Bureau Block numbers (13 digit); (iii) if the area is smaller than the areas identified in either (i) or (ii), by geographic information system digital boundaries meeting or exceeding national map accuracy standards; or (iv) local unit of government. The description shall include the number of low-income households within the service area or footprint. If an applicant is an incumbent cable operator, the incumbent cable operator and any successor-in-interest shall be obligated to provide access to cable services or video services within any local units of government at the same levels required by the local franchising authorities for the local unit of government on June 30, 2007 (the effective date of Public Act 95-9), and its application shall provide a description of an area no smaller than the service areas contained in its franchise or franchises within the jurisdiction of the local unit of government in which it seeks to offer cable or video service.

(5) The location and telephone number of the applicant's principal place of business within this State and the names of the applicant's principal executive officers who are responsible for communications concerning the application and the services to be offered pursuant to the application, the applicant's legal name, and any name or names under which the applicant does or will provide cable services or video services in this State.

(6) A certification that the applicant has concurrently delivered a copy of the application to all local units of government that include all or any part of the service area identified in item (4) of this subsection (b) within such local unit of government's jurisdictional boundaries.

(7) The expected date that cable service or video service will be initially offered in the area identified in item (4) of this subsection (b). In the event that a holder does not offer cable services or video services within 3 months after the expected date, it shall amend its application and update the expected date service will be offered and explain the delay in offering cable services or video services.

(8) For any entity that received State-issued authorization prior to this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly as a cable operator and that intends to proceed as a cable operator under this Article, the entity shall file a written affidavit with the Commission and shall serve a copy of the affidavit with any local units of government affected by the authorization within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly stating that the holder will be providing cable service under the State-issued authorization.

The application shall include adequate assurance that the applicant possesses the financial, managerial, legal, and technical qualifications necessary to construct and operate the proposed system, to promptly repair any damage to the public right-of-way caused by the applicant, and to pay the cost of removal of its facilities. To accomplish these requirements, the applicant may, at the time the applicant seeks to use the public rights-of-way in that jurisdiction, be required by the State of Illinois or later be required by the local unit of government, or both, to post a bond, produce a certificate of insurance, or otherwise demonstrate its financial responsibility.

The application shall include the applicant's general standards related to customer service required by Section 22-501 of this Act, which shall include, but not be limited to, installation, disconnection, service and repair obligations; appointment hours; employee ID requirements; customer service telephone numbers and hours; procedures for billing, charges, deposits, refunds, and credits; procedures for termination of service; notice of deletion of programming service and changes related to transmission of programming or changes or increases in rates; use and availability of parental control or lock-out devices; complaint procedures and procedures for bill dispute resolution and a description of the rights and remedies available to consumers if the holder does not materially meet their customer service standards; and special services for customers with visual, hearing, or mobility disabilities.

(c)(1) The applicant may designate information that it submits in its application or subsequent reports as confidential or proprietary, provided that the applicant states the reasons the confidential designation is necessary. The Commission shall provide adequate protection for such information pursuant to Section 4-404 of this Act. If the Commission, a local unit of government, or any other party seeks public disclosure of information designated as confidential, the Commission shall consider the confidential designation in a proceeding under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, and the burden of proof to demonstrate that the designated information is confidential shall be upon the applicant. Designated information shall remain confidential pending the Commission's determination of whether the information is entitled to confidential treatment. Information designated as confidential shall be provided to local units of government for purposes of assessing compliance with this Article as permitted under a Protective Order issued by the Commission pursuant to the Commission's rules and to the Attorney General pursuant to Section 6.5 of the Attorney General Act (15 ILCS 205/6.5). Information designated as confidential under this Section or determined to be confidential upon Commission review shall only be disclosed pursuant to a valid and enforceable subpoena or court order or as required by the Freedom of Information Act. Nothing herein shall delay the application approval timeframes set forth in this Article.

(2) Information regarding the location of video services that have been or are being offered to the public and aggregate information included in the reports required by this Article shall not be designated or treated as confidential.

(d)(1) The Commission shall post all applications it receives under this Article on its web site within 5 business days.

(2) The Commission shall notify an applicant for a cable service or video service authorization whether the applicant's application and affidavit are complete on or before the 15th business day after the applicant submits the application. If the application and affidavit are not complete, the Commission shall state in its notice all of the reasons the application or affidavit are incomplete, and the applicant shall resubmit a complete application. The Commission shall have 30 days after submission by the applicant of a complete application and affidavit to issue the service authorization. If the Commission does not notify the applicant regarding the completeness of the application and affidavit or issue the service authorization within the time periods required under this subsection, the application and affidavit shall be considered complete and the service authorization issued upon the expiration of the 30th day.

(e) Any authorization issued by the Commission will expire on December 31, 2023 2020 and shall contain or include all of the following:

(1) A grant of authority, including an authorization issued prior to this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, to provide cable service or video service in the service area footprint as requested in the application, subject to the provisions of this Article in existence on the date the grant of authority was issued, and any modifications to this Article enacted at any time prior to the date in Section 21-1601 of this Act, and to the laws of the State and the ordinances, rules, and regulations of the local units of government.

(2) A grant of authority to use, occupy, and construct facilities in the public rights-of-way for the delivery of cable service or video service in the service area footprint, subject to the laws, ordinances, rules, or regulations of this State and local units of governments.

(3) A statement that the grant of authority is subject to lawful operation of the cable service or video service by the applicant, its affiliated entities, or its successors-in-interest.

(e-5) The Commission shall notify a local unit of government within 3 business days of the grant of any authorization within a service area footprint if that authorization includes any part of the local unit of government's jurisdictional boundaries and state whether the holder will be providing video service or cable service under the authorization.

(f) The authorization issued pursuant to this Section by the Commission may be transferred to any successor-in-interest to the applicant to which it is initially granted without further Commission action if the successor-in-interest (i) submits an application and the information required by subsection (b) of this Section for the successor-in-interest and (ii) is not in violation of this Article or of any federal, State, or local law, ordinance, rule, or regulation. A successor-in-interest shall file its application and notice of transfer with the Commission and the relevant local units of government no less than 15 business days prior to the completion of the transfer. The Commission is not required or authorized to act upon the notice of transfer; however, the transfer is not effective until the Commission approves the successor-in-interest's application. A local unit of government or the Attorney General may seek to bar a transfer of ownership by filing suit in a court of competent jurisdiction predicated on the existence of a material and continuing breach of this Article by the holder, a pattern of noncompliance with customer service standards by the potential successor-in-interest, or the insolvency of the potential successor-in-interest. If a transfer is made when there are violations of this Article or of any federal, State, or local law, ordinance, rule, or regulation, the successor-in-interest shall be subject to 3 times the penalties provided for in this Article.

(g) The authorization issued pursuant to this Section by the Commission may be terminated, or its cable service or video service area footprint may be modified, by the cable service provider or video service provider by submitting notice to the Commission and to the relevant local unit of government containing a description of the change on the same terms as the initial description pursuant to item (4) of subsection (b) of this Section. The Commission is not required or authorized to act upon that notice. It shall be a violation of this Article for a holder to discriminate against potential residential subscribers because of the race or income of the residents in the local area in which the group resides by terminating or modifying its cable service or video service area footprint. It shall be a violation of this Article for a holder to terminate or modify its cable service or video service area footprint if it leaves an area with no cable service or video service from any provider.

(h) The Commission's authority to administer this Article is limited to the powers and duties explicitly provided under this Article. Its authority under this Article does not include or limit the powers and duties that the Commission has under the other Articles of this Act, the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, or any other law or regulation to conduct proceedings, other than as provided in subsection (c), or has to promulgate rules or regulations. The Commission shall not have the authority to limit or expand the obligations and requirements provided in this Section or to regulate or control a person or entity to the extent that person or entity is providing cable service or video service, except as provided in this Article.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14; 99-6, eff. 6-29-15.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-601)

Sec. 21-601. Public, education, and government access. For the purposes of this Section, "programming" means content produced or provided by any person, group, governmental agency, or noncommercial public or private agency or organization.

(a) Not later than 90 days after a request by the local unit of government or its designee that has received notice under subsection (a) of Section 21-801 of this Act, the holder shall (i) designate the same amount of capacity on its network to provide for public, education, and government access use as the incumbent cable operator is required to designate under its franchise terms in effect with a local unit of government on January 1, 2007 and (ii) retransmit to its subscribers the same number of public, education, and government access channels as the incumbent cable operator was retransmitting to subscribers on January 1, 2007.

(b) If the local unit of government produces or maintains the public education or government programming in a manner or form that is compatible with the holder's network, it shall transmit such programming to the holder in that form provided that form permits the holder to satisfy the requirements of subsection (c) of this Section. If the local unit of government does not produce or maintain such programming in that manner or form, then the holder shall be responsible for any changes in the form of the transmission necessary to make public, education, and government programming compatible with the technology or protocol used by the holder to deliver services. The holder shall receive programming from the local unit of government (or the local unit of government's public, education, and government programming providers) and transmit that public, education, and government programming directly to the holder's subscribers within the local unit of government's jurisdiction at no cost to the local unit of government or the public, education, and government programming providers. If the holder is required to change the form of the transmission, the local unit of government or its designee shall provide reasonable access to the holder to allow the holder to transmit the public, education, and government programming in an economical manner subject to the requirements of subsection (c) of this Section.

(c) The holder shall provide to subscribers public, education, and government access channel capacity at equivalent visual and audio quality and equivalent functionality, from the viewing perspective of the subscriber, to that of commercial channels carried on the holder's basic cable or video service offerings or tiers without the need for any equipment other than the equipment necessary to receive the holder's basic cable or video service offerings or tiers.

(d) The holder and an incumbent cable operator shall negotiate in good faith to interconnect their networks, if needed, for the purpose of providing public, education, and government programming. Interconnection may be accomplished by direct cable, microwave link, satellite, or other reasonable method of connection. The holder and the incumbent cable operator shall provide interconnection of the public, education, and government channels on reasonable terms and conditions and may not withhold the interconnection. If a holder and an incumbent cable operator cannot reach a mutually acceptable interconnection agreement, the local unit of government may require the incumbent cable operator to allow the holder to interconnect its network with the incumbent cable operator's network at a technically feasible point on their networks. If no technically feasible point for interconnection is available, the holder and an incumbent cable operator shall each make an interconnection available to the public, education, and government channel originators at their local origination points and shall provide the facilities necessary for the interconnection. The cost of any interconnection shall be borne by the holder unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. The interconnection required by this subsection shall be completed within the 90-day deadline set forth in subsection (a) of this Section.

(e) The public, education, and government channels shall be for the exclusive use of the local unit of government or its designee to provide public, education, and government programming. The public, education, and government channels shall be used only for noncommercial purposes. However, advertising, underwriting, or sponsorship recognition may be carried on the channels for the purpose of funding public, education, and government access related activities.

(f) Public, education, and government channels shall all be carried on the holder's basic cable or video service offerings or tiers. To the extent feasible, the public, education, and government channels shall not be separated numerically from other channels carried on the holder's basic cable or video service offerings or tiers, and the channel numbers for the public, education, and government channels shall be the same channel numbers used by the incumbent cable operator, unless prohibited by federal law. After the initial designation of public, education, and government channel numbers, the channel numbers shall not be changed without the agreement of the local unit of government or the entity to which the local unit of government has assigned responsibility for managing public, education, and government access channels, unless the change is required by federal law. Each channel shall be capable of carrying a National Television System Committee (NTSC) television signal.

(g) The holder shall provide a listing of public, education, and government channels on channel cards and menus provided to subscribers in a manner equivalent to other channels if the holder uses such cards and menus. Further, the holder shall provide a listing of public, education, and government programming on its electronic program guide if such a guide is utilized by the holder. It is the public, education, and government entity's responsibility to provide the holder or its designated agent, as determined by the holder, with program schedules and information in a timely manner.

(h) If less than 3 public, education, and government channels are provided within the local unit of government as of January 1, 2007, a local unit of government whose jurisdiction lies within the authorized service area of the holder may initially request the holder to designate sufficient capacity for up to 3 public, education, and government channels. A local unit of government or its designee that seeks to add additional capacity shall give the holder a written notification specifying the number of additional channels to be used, specifying the number of channels in actual use, and verifying that the additional channels requested will be put into actual use.

(i) The holder shall, within 90 days of a request by the local unit of government or its designated public, education, or government access entity, provide sufficient capacity for an additional channel for public, education, and government access when the programming on a given access channel exceeds 40 hours per week as measured on a quarterly basis. The additional channel shall not be used for any purpose other than for carrying additional public, education, or government access programming.

(j) The public, education, and government access programmer is solely responsible for the content that it provides over designated public, education, or government channels. A holder shall not exercise any editorial control over any programming on any channel designed for public, education, or government use or on any other channel required by law or a binding agreement with the local unit of government.

(k) A holder shall not be subject to any civil or criminal liability for any program carried on any channel designated for public, education, or government use.

(l) A court of competent jurisdiction shall have exclusive jurisdiction to enforce any requirement under this Section or resolve any dispute regarding the requirements set forth in this Section, and no provider of cable service or video service may be barred from providing service or be required to terminate service as a result of that dispute or enforcement action.

(Source: P.A. 95-9, eff. 6-30-07; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-701)

Sec. 21-701. Emergency alert system. The holder shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Federal Communications Commission involving the distribution and notification of federal, State, and local emergency messages over the emergency alert system applicable to cable operators. The holder will provide a requesting local unit of government with sufficient information regarding how to submit, via telephone or web listing, a local emergency alert for distribution over its cable or video network. To the extent that a local unit of government requires incumbent cable operators to provide emergency alert system messages or services in excess of the requirements of this Section, the holder shall comply with any such additional requirements within the jurisdiction of the local franchising authority. The holder may provide a local emergency alert to an area larger than the boundaries of the local unit of government issuing the emergency alert.

(Source: P.A. 95-9, eff. 6-30-07.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-801)

Sec. 21-801. Applicable fees payable to the local unit of government.

(a) Prior to offering cable service or video service in a local unit of government's jurisdiction, a holder shall notify the local unit of government. The notice shall be given to the local unit of government at least 10 days before the holder begins to offer cable service or video service within the boundaries of that local unit of government.

(b) In any local unit of government in which a holder offers cable service or video service on a commercial basis, the holder shall be liable for and pay the service provider fee to the local unit of government. The local unit of government shall adopt an ordinance imposing such a fee. The holder's liability for the fee shall commence on the first day of the calendar month that is at least 30 days after the holder receives such ordinance. For any such ordinance adopted on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly, the holder's liability shall commence on the first day of the calendar month that is at least 30 days after the adoption of such ordinance. The ordinance shall be sent by mail, postage prepaid, to the address listed on the holder's application provided to the local unit of government pursuant to item (6) of subsection (b) of Section 21-401 of this Act. The fee authorized by this Section shall be 5% of gross revenues or the same as the fee paid to the local unit of government by any incumbent cable operator providing cable service. The payment of the service provider fee shall be due on a quarterly basis, 45 days after the close of the calendar quarter. If mailed, the fee is considered paid on the date it is postmarked. Except as provided in this Article, the local unit of government may not demand any additional fees or charges from the holder and may not demand the use of any other calculation method other than allowed under this Article.

(c) For purposes of this Article, "gross revenues" means all consideration of any kind or nature, including, without limitation, cash, credits, property, and in-kind contributions received by the holder for the operation of a cable or video system to provide cable service or video service within the holder's cable service or video service area within the local unit of government's jurisdiction.

(1) Gross revenues shall include the following:

(i) Recurring charges for cable service or video service.

(ii) Event-based charges for cable service or video service, including, but not limited to, pay-per-view and video-on-demand charges.

(iii) Rental of set-top boxes and other cable service or video service equipment.

(iv) Service charges related to the provision of cable service or video service, including, but not limited to, activation, installation, and repair charges.

(v) Administrative charges related to the provision of cable service or video service, including but not limited to service order and service termination charges.

(vi) Late payment fees or charges, insufficient funds check charges, and other charges assessed to recover the costs of collecting delinquent payments.

(vii) A pro rata portion of all revenue derived by the holder or its affiliates pursuant to compensation arrangements for advertising or for promotion or exhibition of any products or services derived from the operation of the holder's network to provide cable service or video service within the local unit of government's jurisdiction. The allocation shall be based on the number of subscribers in the local unit of government divided by the total number of subscribers in relation to the relevant regional or national compensation arrangement.

(viii) Compensation received by the holder that is derived from the operation of the holder's network to provide cable service or video service with respect to commissions that are received by the holder as compensation for promotion or exhibition of any products or services on the holder's network, such as a "home shopping" or similar channel, subject to item (ix) of this paragraph (1).

(ix) In the case of a cable service or video service that is bundled or integrated functionally with other services, capabilities, or applications, the portion of the holder's revenue attributable to the other services, capabilities, or applications shall be included in gross revenue unless the holder can reasonably identify the division or exclusion of the revenue from its books and records that are kept in the regular course of business.

(x) The service provider fee permitted by subsection (b) of this Section.

(2) Gross revenues do not include any of the following:

(i) Revenues not actually received, even if billed, such as bad debt, subject to item (vi) of paragraph (1) of this subsection (c).

(ii) Refunds, discounts, or other price adjustments that reduce the amount of gross revenues received by the holder of the State-issued authorization to the extent the refund, rebate, credit, or discount is attributable to cable service or video service.

(iii) Regardless of whether the services are bundled, packaged, or functionally integrated with cable service or video service, any revenues received from services not classified as cable service or video service, including, without limitation, revenue received from telecommunications services, information services, or the provision of directory or Internet advertising, including yellow pages, white pages, banner advertisement, and electronic publishing, or any other revenues attributed by the holder to noncable service or nonvideo service in accordance with the holder's books and records and records kept in the regular course of business and any applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards, or orders.

(iv) The sale of cable services or video services for resale in which the purchaser is required to collect the service provider fee from the purchaser's subscribers to the extent the purchaser certifies in writing that it will resell the service within the local unit of government's jurisdiction and pay the fee permitted by subsection (b) of this Section with respect to the service.

(v) Any tax or fee of general applicability imposed upon the subscribers or the transaction by a city, State, federal, or any other governmental entity and collected by the holder of the State-issued authorization and required to be remitted to the taxing entity, including sales and use taxes.

(vi) Security deposits collected from subscribers.

(vii) Amounts paid by subscribers to "home shopping" or similar vendors for merchandise sold through any home shopping channel offered as part of the cable service or video service.

(3) Revenue of an affiliate of a holder shall be included in the calculation of gross revenues to the extent the treatment of the revenue as revenue of the affiliate rather than the holder has the effect of evading the payment of the fee permitted by subsection (b) of this Section which would otherwise be paid by the cable service or video service.

(d)(1) Except for a holder providing cable service that is subject to the fee in subsection (i) of this Section, the holder shall pay to the local unit of government or the entity designated by that local unit of government to manage public, education, and government access, upon request as support for public, education, and government access, a fee equal to no less than (i) 1% of gross revenues or (ii) if greater, the percentage of gross revenues that incumbent cable operators pay to the local unit of government or its designee for public, education, and government access support in the local unit of government's jurisdiction. For purposes of item (ii) of paragraph (1) of this subsection (d), the percentage of gross revenues that all incumbent cable operators pay shall be equal to the annual sum of the payments that incumbent cable operators in the service area are obligated to pay by franchises and agreements or by contracts with the local government designee for public, education and government access in effect on January 1, 2007, including the total of any lump sum payments required to be made over the term of each franchise or agreement divided by the number of years of the applicable term, divided by the annual sum of such incumbent cable operator's or operators' gross revenues during the immediately prior calendar year. The sum of payments includes any payments that an incumbent cable operator is required to pay pursuant to item (3) of subsection (c) of Section 21-301.

(2) A local unit of government may require all holders of a State-issued authorization and all cable operators franchised by that local unit of government on June 30, 2007 (the effective date of this Section) in the franchise area to provide to the local unit of government, or to the entity designated by that local unit of government to manage public, education, and government access, information sufficient to calculate the public, education, and government access equivalent fee and any credits under paragraph (1) of this subsection (d).

(3) The fee shall be due on a quarterly basis and paid 45 days after the close of the calendar quarter. Each payment shall include a statement explaining the basis for the calculation of the fee. If mailed, the fee is considered paid on the date it is postmarked. The liability of the holder for payment of the fee under this subsection shall commence on the same date as the payment of the service provider fee pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section.

(e) The holder may identify and collect the amount of the service provider fee as a separate line item on the regular bill of each subscriber.

(f) The holder may identify and collect the amount of the public, education, and government programming support fee as a separate line item on the regular bill of each subscriber.

(g) All determinations and computations under this Section shall be made pursuant to the definition of gross revenues set forth in this Section and shall be made pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles.

(h) Nothing contained in this Article shall be construed to exempt a holder from any tax that is or may later be imposed by the local unit of government, including any tax that is or may later be required to be paid by or through the holder with respect to cable service or video service. A State-issued authorization shall not affect any requirement of the holder with respect to payment of the local unit of government's simplified municipal telecommunications tax or any other tax as it applies to any telephone service provided by the holder. A State-issued authorization shall not affect any requirement of the holder with respect to payment of the local unit of government's 911 or E911 fees, taxes, or charges.

(i) Except for a municipality having a population of 2,000,000 or more, the fee imposed under paragraph (1) of subsection (d) by a local unit of government against a holder who is a cable operator shall be as follows:

(1) the fee shall be collected and paid only for capital costs that are considered lawful under Subchapter VI of the federal Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and as implemented by the Federal Communications Commission;

(2) the local unit of government shall impose any fee by ordinance; and

(3) the fee may not exceed 1% of gross revenue; if, however, on the date that an incumbent cable operator files an application under Section 21-401, the incumbent cable operator is operating under a franchise agreement that imposes a fee for support for capital costs for public, education, and government access facilities obligations in excess of 1% of gross revenue, then the cable operator shall continue to provide support for capital costs for public, education, and government access facilities obligations at the rate stated in such agreement.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13; 99-6, eff. 6-29-15.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-901)

Sec. 21-901. Audits.

(a) A holder that has received State-issued authorization under this Article is subject to an audit of its service provider fees derived from the provision of cable or video services to subscribers within any part of the local unit of government which is located in the holder's service territory. Any such audit shall be conducted by the local unit of government or its agent for the sole purpose of determining any overpayment or underpayment of the holder's service provider fee to the local unit of government.

(b) Beginning on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly, any audit conducted pursuant to this Section by a local government shall be governed by Section 11-42-11.05 of the Illinois Municipal Code or Section 5-1095.1 of the Counties Code.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 6-29-15.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-1001)

Sec. 21-1001. Local unit of government authority.

(a) The holder of a State-issued authorization shall comply with all the applicable construction and technical standards and right-of-way occupancy standards set forth in a local unit of government's code of ordinances relating to the use of public rights-of-way, pole attachments, permit obligations, indemnification, performance bonds, penalties, or liquidated damages. The applicable requirements for a holder that is using its existing telecommunications network or constructing a telecommunications network shall be the same requirements that the local unit of government imposes on telecommunications providers in its jurisdiction. The applicable requirements for a holder that is using or constructing a cable system shall be the same requirements the local unit of government imposes on other cable operators in its jurisdiction.

(b) A local unit of government shall allow the holder to install, construct, operate, maintain, and remove a cable service, video service, or telecommunications network within a public right-of-way and shall provide the holder with open, comparable, nondiscriminatory, and competitively neutral access to the public right-of-way on the same terms applicable to other cable service or video service providers or cable operators in its jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, if a local unit of government is permitted by law to require the holder of a State authorization to seek a permit to install, construct, operate, maintain, or remove its cable service, video service, or telecommunications network within a public right-of-way, those permits shall be deemed granted within 45 days after being submitted, if not otherwise acted upon by the local unit of government, provided the holder complies with the requirements applicable to the holder in its jurisdiction.

(c) A local unit of government may impose reasonable terms, but it may not discriminate against the holder with respect to any of the following:

(1) The authorization or placement of a cable service, video service, or telecommunications network or equipment in public rights-of-way.

(2) Access to a building.

(3) A local unit of government utility pole attachment.

(d) If a local unit of government imposes a permit fee on incumbent cable operators, it may impose a permit fee on the holder only to the extent it imposes such a fee on incumbent cable operators. In all other cases, these fees may not exceed the actual, direct costs incurred by the local unit of government for issuing the relevant permit. In no event may a fee under this Section be levied if the holder already has paid a permit fee of any kind in connection with the same activity that would otherwise be covered by the permit fee under this Section provided no additional equipment, work, function, or other burden is added to the existing activity for which the permit was issued.

(e) Nothing in this Article shall affect the rights that any holder has under Section 4 of the Telephone Line Right of Way Act (220 ILCS 65/4).

(f) In addition to the other requirements in this Section, if the holder installs, upgrades, constructs, operates, maintains, and removes facilities or equipment within a public right-of-way to provide cable service or video service, it shall comply with the following:

(1) The holder must locate its equipment in the right-of-way as to cause only minimum interference with the use of streets, alleys, and other public ways and places, and to cause only minimum impact upon and interference with the rights and reasonable convenience of property owners who adjoin any of the said streets, alleys, or other public ways. No fixtures shall be placed in any public ways in such a manner to interfere with the usual travel on such public ways, nor shall such fixtures or equipment limit the visibility of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or both.

(2) The holder shall comply with a local unit of government's reasonable requests to place equipment on public property where possible and promptly comply with local unit of government direction with respect to the location and screening of equipment and facilities. In constructing or upgrading its cable or video network in the right-of-way, the holder shall use the smallest suitable equipment enclosures and power pedestals and cabinets then in use by the holder for the application.

(3) The holder's construction practices shall be in accordance with all applicable Sections of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, as well as all applicable State laws, including the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, and local codes, where applicable, as adopted by the local unit of government. All installation of electronic equipment shall be of a permanent nature, durable, and, where applicable, installed in accordance with the provisions of the National Electrical Safety Code of the National Bureau of Standards and National Electrical Code of the National Board of Fire Underwriters.

(4) The holder shall not interfere with the local unit of government's performance of public works. Nothing in the State-issued authorization shall be in preference or hindrance to the right of the local unit of government to perform or carry on any public works or public improvements of any kind. The holder expressly agrees that it shall, at its own expense, protect, support, temporarily disconnect, relocate in the same street or other public place, or remove from such street or other public place any of the network, system, facilities, or equipment when required to do so by the local unit of government because of necessary public health, safety, and welfare improvements. In the event a holder and other users of a public right-of-way, including incumbent cable operators or utilities, are required to relocate and compensation is paid to the users of such public right-of-way, such parties shall be treated equally with respect to such compensation.

(5) The holder shall comply with all local units of government inspection requirements. The making of post-construction, subsequent or periodic inspections, or both, or the failure to do so shall not operate to relieve the holder of any responsibility, obligation, or liability.

(6) The holder shall maintain insurance or provide evidence of self insurance as required by an applicable ordinance of the local unit of government.

(7) The holder shall reimburse all reasonable make-ready expenses, including aerial and underground installation expenses requested by the holder to the local unit of government within 30 days of billing to the holder, provided that such charges shall be at the same rates as charges to others for the same or similar services.

(8) The holder shall indemnify and hold harmless the local unit of government and all boards, officers, employees, and representatives thereof from all claims, demands, causes of action, liability, judgments, costs and expenses, or losses for injury or death to persons or damage to property owned by, and Worker's Compensation claims against any parties indemnified herein, arising out of, caused by, or as a result of the holder's construction, lines, cable, erection, maintenance, use or presence of, or removal of any poles, wires, conduit, appurtenances thereto, or equipment or attachments thereto. The holder, however, shall not indemnify the local unit of government for any liabilities, damages, cost, and expense resulting from the willful misconduct, or negligence of the local unit of government, its officers, employees, and agents. The obligations imposed pursuant to this Section by a local unit of government shall be competitively neutral.

(9) The holder, upon request, shall provide the local unit of government with information describing the location of the cable service or video service facilities and equipment located in the unit of local government's rights-of-way pursuant to its State-issued authorization. If designated by the holder as confidential, such information provided pursuant to this subsection shall be exempt from inspection and copying under the Freedom of Information Act and shall not be disclosed by the unit of local government to any third party without the written consent of the holder.

(Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 6-29-15.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-1101)

Sec. 21-1101. Requirements to provide video services.

(a) The holder of a State-issued authorization shall not deny access to cable service or video service to any potential residential subscribers because of the race or income of the residents in the local area in which the potential subscribers reside.

(b) (Blank).

(c)(1) If the holder of a State-issued authorization is using telecommunications facilities to provide cable or video service and has more than 1,000,000 telecommunications access lines in this State, the holder shall provide access to its cable or video service to a number of households equal to at least 35% of the households in the holder's telecommunications service area in the State within 3 years after the date a holder receives a State-issued authorization from the Commission and to a number not less than 50% of these households within 5 years after the date a holder receives a State-issued authorization from the Commission; provided that the holder of a State-issued authorization is not required to meet the 50% requirement in this paragraph (1) until 2 years after at least 15% of the households with access to the holder's video service subscribe to the service for 6 consecutive months.

The holder's obligation to provide such access in the State shall be distributed, as the holder determines, within 3 designated market areas, one in each of the northeastern, central, and southwestern portions of the holder's telecommunications service area in the State. The designated market area for the northeastern portion shall consist of 2 separate and distinct reporting areas: (i) a city with more than 1,000,000 inhabitants, and (ii) all other local units of government on a combined basis within such designated market area in which it offers video service.

If any state, in which a holder subject to this subsection (c) or one of its affiliates provides or seeks to provide cable or video service, adopts a law permitting state-issued authorization or statewide franchises to provide cable or video service that requires a cable or video provider to offer service to more than 35% of the households in the cable or video provider's service area in that state within 3 years, holders subject to this subsection (c) shall provide service in this State to the same percentage of households within 3 years of adoption of such law in that state.

Furthermore, if any state, in which a holder subject to this subsection (c) or one of its affiliates provides or seeks to provide cable or video service, adopts a law requiring a holder of a state-issued authorization or statewide franchises to offer cable or video service to more than 35% of its households if less than 15% of the households with access to the holder's video service subscribe to the service for 6 consecutive months, then as a precondition to further build-out, holders subject to this subsection (c) shall be subject to the same percentage of service subscription in meeting its obligation to provide service to 50% of the households in this State.

(2) Within 3 years after the date a holder receives a State-issued authorization from the Commission, at least 30% of the total households with access to the holder's cable or video service shall be low-income.

Within each designated market area listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection (c), the holder's obligation to offer service to low-income households shall be measured by each exchange, as that term is defined in Section 13-206 of this Act in which the holder chooses to provide cable or video service. The holder is under no obligation to serve or provide access to an entire exchange; however, in addition to the statewide obligation to provide low-income access provided by this Section, in each exchange in which the holder chooses to provide cable or video service, the holder shall provide access to a percentage of low-income households that is at least equal to the percentage of the total low-income households within that exchange.

(d)(1) All other holders shall only provide access to one or more exchanges, as that term is defined in Section 13-206 of this Act, or to local units of government and shall provide access to their cable or video service to a number of households equal to 35% of the households in the exchange or local unit of government within 3 years after the date a holder receives a State-issued authorization from the Commission and to a number not less than 50% of these households within 5 years after the date a holder receives a State-issued authorization from the Commission, provided that if the holder is an incumbent cable operator or any successor-in-interest company, it shall be obligated to provide access to cable or video services within the jurisdiction of a local unit of government at the same levels required by the local franchising authorities for that local unit of government on June 30, 2007 (the effective date of Public Act 95-9).

(2) Within 3 years after the date a holder receives a State-issued authorization from the Commission, at least 30% of the total households with access to the holder's cable or video service shall be low-income.

Within each designated exchange, as that term is defined in Section 13-206 of this Act, or local unit of government listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection (d), the holder's obligation to offer service to low-income households shall be measured by each exchange or local unit of government in which the holder chooses to provide cable or video service. Except as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection (d), the holder is under no obligation to serve or provide access to an entire exchange or local unit of government; however, in addition to the statewide obligation to provide low-income access provided by this Section, in each exchange or local unit of government in which the holder chooses to provide cable or video service, the holder shall provide access to a percentage of low-income households that is at least equal to the percentage of the total low-income households within that exchange or local unit of government.

(e) A holder subject to subsection (c) of this Section shall provide wireline broadband service, defined as wireline service, capable of supporting, in at least one direction, a speed in excess of 200 kilobits per second (kbps), to the network demarcation point at the subscriber's premises, to a number of households equal to 90% of the households in the holder's telecommunications service area by December 31, 2008, or shall pay within 30 days of December 31, 2008 a sum of $15,000,000 to the Digital Divide Elimination Infrastructure Fund established pursuant to Section 13-301.3 of this Act, or any successor fund established by the General Assembly. In that event the holder is required to make a payment pursuant to this subsection (e), the holder shall have no further accounting for this payment, which shall be used in any part of the State for the purposes established in the Digital Divide Elimination Infrastructure Fund or for broadband deployment.

(f) The holder of a State-issued authorization may satisfy the requirements of subsections (c) and (d) of this Section through the use of any technology, which shall not include direct-to-home satellite service, that offers service, functionality, and content that is demonstrably similar to that provided through the holder's video service system.

(g) In any investigation into or complaint alleging that the holder of a State-issued authorization has failed to meet the requirements of this Section, the following factors may be considered in justification or mitigation or as justification for an extension of time to meet the requirements of subsections (c) and (d) of this Section:

(1) The inability to obtain access to public and private rights-of-way under reasonable terms and conditions.

(2) Barriers to competition arising from existing exclusive service arrangements in developments or buildings.

(3) The inability to access developments or buildings using reasonable technical solutions under commercially reasonable terms and conditions.

(4) Natural disasters.

(5) Other factors beyond the control of the holder.

(h) If the holder relies on the factors identified in subsection (g) of this Section in response to an investigation or complaint, the holder shall demonstrate the following:

(1) what substantial effort the holder of a State-issued authorization has taken to meet the requirements of subsection (a) or (c) of this Section;

(2) which portions of subsection (g) of this Section apply; and

(3) the number of days it has been delayed or the requirements it cannot perform as a consequence of subsection (g) of this Section.

(i) The factors in subsection (g) of this Section may be considered by the Attorney General or by a court of competent jurisdiction in determining whether the holder is in violation of this Article.

(j) Every holder of a State-issued authorization, no later than April 1, 2009, and annually no later than April 1 thereafter, shall report to the Commission for each of the service areas as described in subsections (c) and (d) of this Section in which it provides access to its video service in the State, the following information:

(1) Cable service and video service information:

(A) The number of households in the holder's telecommunications service area within each designated market area as described in subsection (c) of this Section or exchange or local unit of government as described in subsection (d) of this Section in which it offers video service.

(B) The number of households in the holder's telecommunications service area within each designated market area as described in subsection (c) of this Section or exchange or local unit of government as described in subsection (d) of this Section that are offered access to video service by the holder.

(C) The number of households in the holder's telecommunications service area in the State.

(D) The number of households in the holder's telecommunications service area in the State that are offered access to video service by the holder.

(2) Low-income household information:

(A) The number of low-income households in the holder's telecommunications service area within each designated market area as described in subsection (c) of this Section, as further identified in terms of exchanges, or exchange or local unit of government as described in subsection (d) of this Section in which it offers video service.

(B) The number of low-income households in the holder's telecommunications service area within each designated market area as described in subsection (c) of this Section, as further identified in terms of exchanges, or exchange or local unit of government as described in subsection (d) of this Section in the State that are offered access to video service by the holder.

(C) The number of low-income households in the holder's telecommunications service area in the State.

(D) The number of low-income households in the holder's telecommunications service area in the State that are offered access to video service by the holder.

(j-5) The requirements of subsection (c) of this Section shall be satisfied upon the filing of an annual report with the Commission in compliance with subsection (j) of this Section, including an annual report filed prior to this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, that demonstrates the holder of the authorization has satisfied the requirements of subsection (c) of this Section for each of the service areas in which it provides access to its cable service or video service in the State. Notwithstanding the continued application of this Article to the holder, upon satisfaction of the requirements of subsection (c) of this Section, only the requirements of subsection (a) of this Section 21-1101 of this Act and the following reporting requirements shall continue to apply to such holder:

(1) Cable service and video service information:

(A) The number of households in the holder's telecommunications service area within each designated market area in which it offers cable service or video service.

(B) The number of households in the holder's telecommunications service area within each designated market area that are offered access to cable service or video service by the holder.

(C) The number of households in the holder's telecommunications service area in the State.

(D) The number of households in the holder's telecommunications service area in the State that are offered access to cable service or video service by the holder.

(E) The exchanges or local units of government in which the holder added cable service or video service in the prior year.

(2) Low-income household information:

(A) The number of low-income households in the holder's telecommunications service area within each designated market area in which it offers video service.

(B) The number of low-income households in the holder's telecommunications service area within each designated market area that are offered access to video service by the holder.

(C) The number of low-income households in the holder's telecommunications service area in the State.

(D) The number of low-income households in the holder's telecommunications service area in the State that are offered access to video service by the holder.

(j-10) The requirements of subsection (d) of this Section shall be satisfied upon the filing of an annual report with the Commission in compliance with subsection (j) of this Section, including an annual report filed prior to this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, that demonstrates the holder of the authorization has satisfied the requirements of subsection (d) of this Section for each of the service areas in which it provides access to its cable service or video service in the State. Notwithstanding the continued application of this Article to the holder, upon satisfaction of the requirements of subsection (d) of this Section, only the requirements of subsection (a) of this Section and the following reporting requirements shall continue to apply to such holder:

(1) Cable service and video service information:

(A) The number of households in the holder's footprint in which it offers cable service or video service.

(B) The number of households in the holder's footprint that are offered access to cable service or video service by the holder.

(C) The exchanges or local units of government in which the holder added cable service or video service in the prior year.

(2) Low-income household information:

(A) The number of low-income households in the holder's footprint in which it offers cable service or video service.

(B) The number of low-income households in the holder's footprint that are offered access to cable service or video service by the holder.

(k) The Commission, within 30 days of receiving the first report from holders under this Section, and annually no later than July 1 thereafter, shall submit to the General Assembly a report that includes, based on year-end data, the information submitted by holders pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsections (j), (j-5), and (j-10) of this Section. The Commission shall make this report available to any member of the public or any local unit of government upon request. All information submitted to the Commission and designated by holders as confidential and proprietary shall be subject to the disclosure provisions in subsection (c) of Section 21-401 of this Act. No individually identifiable customer information shall be subject to public disclosure.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-1201)

Sec. 21-1201. Multiple-unit dwellings; interference with holder prohibited.

(a) Neither the owner of any multiple-unit residential dwelling nor an agent or representative nor an assignee, grantee, licensee, or similar holders of rights, including easements, in any multiple-unit residential dwelling (the "owner, agent or representative") shall unreasonably interfere with the right of any tenant or lawful resident thereof to receive cable service or video service installation or maintenance from a holder of a State-issued authorization, or related service that includes, but is not limited to, voice service, Internet access or other broadband services (alone or in combination) provided over the holder's cable services or video services facilities; provided, however, the owner, agent, or representative may require just and reasonable compensation from the holder for its access to and use of such property to provide installation, operation, maintenance, or removal of such cable service or video service or related services. For purposes of this Section, "access to and use of such property" shall be provided in a nondiscriminatory manner to all cable and video providers offering or providing services at such property and includes common areas of such multiple-unit dwelling, inside wire in the individual unit of any tenant or lawful resident thereof that orders or receives such service and the right to use and connect to building infrastructure, including but not limited to existing cables, wiring, conduit or inner duct, to provide cable service or video service or related services. If there is a dispute regarding the just compensation for such access and use, the owner, agent, or representative shall obtain the payment of just compensation from the holder pursuant to the process and procedures applicable to an owner and franchisee in subsections (c), (d), and (e) of Section 11-42-11.1 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-42-11.1).

(b) Neither the owner of any multiple-unit residential dwelling nor an agent or representative shall ask, demand, or receive any additional payment, service, or gratuity in any form from any tenant or lawful resident thereof as a condition for permitting or cooperating with the installation of a cable service or video service or related services to the dwelling unit occupied by a tenant or resident requesting such service.

(c) Neither the owner of any multiple-unit residential dwelling nor an agent or representative shall penalize, charge, or surcharge a tenant or resident, forfeit or threaten to forfeit any right of such tenant or resident, or discriminate in any way against such tenant or resident who requests or receives cable service or video service or related services from a holder.

(d) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the owner of any multiple-unit residential dwelling nor an agent or representative from requiring that a holder's facilities conform to reasonable conditions necessary to protect safety, functioning, appearance, and value of premises or the convenience and safety of persons or property.

(e) The owner of any multiple-unit residential dwelling or an agent or representative may require a holder to agree to indemnify the owner, or his agents or representatives, for damages or from liability for damages caused by the installation, operation, maintenance, or removal of cable service or video service facilities.

(f) For purposes of this Section, "multiple-unit dwelling" or "such property" means a multiple dwelling unit building (such as an apartment building, condominium building, or cooperative) and any other centrally managed residential real estate development (such as a gated community, mobile home park, or garden apartment); provided however, that multiple-unit dwelling shall not include time share units, academic campuses and dormitories, military bases, hotels, rooming houses, prisons, jails, halfway houses, nursing homes or other assisted living facilities, and hospitals.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-1301)

Sec. 21-1301. Enforcement; penalties.

(a) The Attorney General is responsible for administering and ensuring holders' compliance with this Article, provided that nothing in this Article shall deprive local units of government of the right to enforce applicable rights and obligations.

(b) The Attorney General may conduct an investigation regarding possible violations by holders of this Article including, without limitation, the issuance of subpoenas to:

(1) require the holder to file a statement or report or to answer interrogatories in writing as to all information relevant to the alleged violations;

(2) examine, under oath, any person who possesses knowledge or information related to the alleged violations; and

(3) examine any record, book, document, account, or paper related to the alleged violation.

(c) If the Attorney General determines that there is a reason to believe that a holder has violated or is about to violate this Article, the Attorney General may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction in the name of the People of the State against the holder to obtain temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief and civil penalties for any act, policy, or practice by the holder that violates this Article.

(d) If a court orders a holder to make payments to the Attorney General and the payments are to be used for the operations of the Office of the Attorney General or if a holder agrees to make payments to the Attorney General for the operations of the Office of the Attorney General as part of an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance, then the moneys paid under any of the conditions described in this subsection (d) shall be deposited into the Attorney General Court Ordered and Voluntary Compliance Payment Projects Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, for the performance of any function pertaining to the exercise of the duties to the Attorney General, including, but not limited to, enforcement of any law of this State and conducting public education programs; however, any moneys in the Fund that are required by the court to be used for a particular purpose shall be used for that purpose.

(e) In an action against a holder brought pursuant to this Article, the Attorney General may seek the assessment of one or more of the following civil monetary penalties in any action filed under this Article where the holder violates this Article and does not remedy the violation within 30 days of notice by the Attorney General:

(1) Any holder that violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this Article or of its State-issued authorization shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to $30,000 for each and every offense, or 0.00825% of the holder's gross revenues, as defined in Section 21-801 of this Act, whichever is greater. Every violation of the provisions of this Article by a holder is a separate and distinct offense, provided that if the same act or omission violates more than one provision of this Article, only one penalty or cumulative penalty may be imposed for such act or omission. In the case of a continuing violation, each day's continuance thereof shall be a separate and distinct offense, provided that the cumulative penalty for any continuing violation shall not exceed $500,000 per year, and provided further that these limits shall not apply where the violation was intentional and either (i) created substantial risk to the safety of the cable service or video service provider's employees or customers or the public or (ii) was intended to cause economic benefits to accrue to the violator.

(2) The holder's State-issued authorization may be suspended or revoked if the holder fails to comply with the provisions of this Article after a reasonable time to achieve compliance has passed.

(3) If the holder is in violation of Section 21-1101 of this Act, in addition to any other remedies provided by law, a fine not to exceed 3% of the holder's total monthly gross revenue, as that term is defined in this Article, shall be imposed for each month from the date of violation until the date that compliance is achieved.

(4) Nothing in this Section shall limit or affect the powers of the Attorney General to enforce the provisions of this Article, Section 22-501 of this Act, or the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

(Source: P.A. 95-9, eff. 6-30-07; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-1401)

Sec. 21-1401. Home rule.

(a) The provisions of this Article are a limitation of home rule powers under subsection (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution.

(b) Nothing in this Article shall be construed to limit or deny a home rule unit's power to tax as set forth in Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution.

(Source: P.A. 95-9, eff. 6-30-07.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-1501)

Sec. 21-1501. Except as otherwise provided in this Article, this Article shall be enforced only by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(Source: P.A. 95-9, eff. 6-30-07.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-1502)

Sec. 21-1502. Renewal upon repeal of Article. This Section shall apply only to holders who received their State-issued authorization as a cable operator. In the event this Article 21 is repealed, the cable operator may seek a renewal under 47 U.S.C. 546 subject to the following:

(1) Each municipality or county in which a cable operator provided service under the State-issued authorization shall be the franchising authority with respect to any right of renewal under 47 U.S.C. 546 and the provisions of this Section shall apply during the renewal process.

(2) If the cable operator was an incumbent cable operator in the local unit of government immediately prior to obtaining a State-issued authorization, then the terms of the local franchise agreement under which the incumbent cable operator operated shall be effective until the later of: (A) the expiration of what would have been the remaining term of the agreement at the time of the termination of the local franchise agreement pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 21-301 of this Act or (B) the expiration of the renewal process under 47 U.S.C. 546.

(3) If the cable operator was not an incumbent cable operator in the service territory immediately prior to the issuance of the State-issued authorization, then the State-issued authorization shall continue in effect until the expiration of the renewal process under 47 U.S.C. 546.

(4) In seeking a renewal under this Section, the cable operator must provide the following information to the local franchising authority:

(A) the number of subscribers within the franchise area;

(B) the number of eligible local government buildings that have access to cable services;

(C) the statistical records of performance under the standards established by the Cable and Video Customer Protection Law;

(D) cable system improvement and construction plans during the term of the proposed franchise; and

(E) the proposed level of support for public, educational, and governmental access programming.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13.)

(220 ILCS 5/21-1503 new)

Sec. 21-1503. Continuation of Article; validation.

(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly manifests the intention of the General Assembly to extend the repeal of this Article and have this Article continue in effect until December 31, 2020.

(b) This Article shall be deemed to have been in continuous effect since July 1, 2017 and it shall continue to be in effect henceforward until it is otherwise lawfully repealed. All previously enacted amendments to this Article taking effect on or after July 1, 2017, are hereby validated. All actions taken in reliance on or under this Article by the Illinois Commerce Commission or any other person or entity are hereby validated.

(c) In order to ensure the continuing effectiveness of this Article, it is set forth in full and reenacted by this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly. Striking and underscoring are used only to show changes being made to the base text. This reenactment is intended as a continuation of this Article. It is not intended to supersede any amendment to this Article that is enacted by the 100th General Assembly.

(220 ILCS 5/21-1601)

Sec. 21-1601. Repealer. Sections 21-101 through 21-1501 of this Article are repealed December 31, 2020 July 1, 2017.

(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13; 99-6, eff. 6-29-15.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.