Illinois Video Bill SB 678 passes the Senate – PEG Access is protected.

For more information: Barbara Popovic - bpopovic@cantv.org

Illinois SB 678 (the amended HB 1500) passed in the Illinois House by a vote of 113-0 on May 31 followed by a 54-0 vote in the Illinois Senate on June 19.

SB 678 resolves public, educational, government (PEG) access TV and many of the local regulatory control issues. Strong consumer protection and enforcement provisions are included in the bill. SB 678 does not resolve all concerns about build-out requirements but is an improvement over the original HB 1500.

The Governor must sign the bill before it becomes law.

SB 678: Provides support for PEG at 1% of gross revenues above the 5% with a match above
that 1% for PEGs that currently receive more funding.

SB 678: Requires the statewide franchise holder cover costs for carriage of PEG channels.

SB 678: Guarantees PEG channels will be carried in the same format and with the same signal
quality as commercial channels.

SB 678: Provides a 90 day timeframe for interconnection of PEG channels.

SB 678: Provides for establishing PEG channels in jurisdictions that currently have none
and for adding additional PEG channels when needed.

SB 678: Prevents the confiscation of PEG channels if programs are repeated

SB 678: Prevents a reduction in franchise fees due to a change in the franchise fee definition.

SB 678: Protects against losing funds from current cable deals should cable operators opt in to
the statewide franchise.