Save Access

from: ArsTechnica

Chicago mayor opposes video franchising in Illinois

By Nate Anderson | Published: March 12, 2007

The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, an Illinois coalition of local leaders that includes Chicago's powerful Richard Daley, has come out in opposition to a new bill introduced to the Illinois General Assembly that would allow cable and telecommunications companies to bypass the local video franchising process.

from: Carlin's Comments

Statewide Video Franchises vs. Universal Service: Grasping the Total Picture

3/14/2007

Carlini’s Comments, MidwestBusiness.com’s oldest column, runs every Wednesday. Its mission is to offer the common man’s view on business and technology issues while questioning the leadership and visions of “pseudo” experts.

from: City of Geneva

AT&T LOBBIES ILLINOIS HOUSE TO REMOVE LOCAL CONTROL.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY WANTS EMINIENT DOMAIN POWER OVER GENEVA PROPERTY OWNERS?

AT&T has launched a bill at the State House level to remove local franchise control from municipalities (a power Geneva currently holds) and instead give power over Geneva's Rights of Way directly to the State of Illinois. Most important to Geneva citizens, if passed, this bill would remove full citywide buildout requirements from AT&T - something cable companies must currently do - and allow them to serve parts of Geneva that they found most profitable, and not serve others they did not.

Tell Illinois Representatives to OPPOSE Illinois House Bill 1500.
This Thursday, March 8, the Illinois House Telecommunications Committee will vote on the AT&T-backed Illinois House Bill 1500. HB 1500:

* Shuts down Public, Educational and Government (PEG) stations around the state
* Drops requirements that companies serve everyone
* Weakens customer service protections
* Harms fair competitions

from: Global Friefunk

Worst Video Franchise Bill in the Country Introduced in Illinois. AKA, Which Corporation Wrote Illinois HB 1500?

2007-03-05

The worst state franchise bill I've ever read has just been introduced in Illinois -- ironically called the "Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007" -- this act guarantees redlining of un(der)served communities, the poor, and the rural. Among other horrendous provisions (which are far too numerous to enumerate), any service provider who fails to deliver even the utterly abysmal service provision requirements required by the law can get an extension or even a waiver of service for, among other things, "Developments or buildings being inaccessible using reasonable technical solutions under commercially reasonable terms and conditions" (Page 28). The terms of the state franchise deal are far worse than comparative measures introduced in other states (for example, Michigan and California).

From: Daily Herald

Naperville Tries to Box AT&T into a Corner

March 1, 2007
By Jake Griffin

Taking a cue from Itasca, Naperville leaders are placing giant boxes around the city to show residents what the landscape could look like if the state legislature takes away a municipality’s right to regulate cable franchise agreements.

from: Chicago Business

Lawmakers: Bill would spur TV provider competition

Feb. 23, 2007
By Brandon Glenn

(Crain’s) — Two state legislators have proposed changes to laws that they say would spur competition among pay-television service providers.

AT&T Inc. has pushed hard for the changes as it seeks to roll out its new television service in the state, but current providers object to the proposal, saying it would enable new providers to offer service only to wealthy customers, giving them an unfair advantage.

from: pantagraph.com

AT&T seeks state law to offer TV
By Kurt Erickson

SPRINGFIELD — A battle for control of your television remote control is brewing in the State Capitol.

In an announcement Thursday, telephone giant AT&T rolled out its plan to change state law so it can begin offering television service to Illinoisans over their phone and Internet wires.

Illinois Turn for Franchise-Reform Bill

By The Associated Press

(Multichannel News) _ A franchise-reform bill was introduced in Illinois that, in addition to allowing statewide authorization for newcomers, would allow overbuilders to drop local agreements in favor of statewide franchises.

As currently written, the bill would hold only incumbent cable operators to current franchises until their statutory end dates. As written, the exemption in HB1500 would appear to benefit the second operator to market, such as RCN in Chicago, and providers with even newer local agreements, such as Verizon Communications, which negotiated a local pact with North Chicago, Ill.

This page last updated 4/7/07
Recent State News via saveaccess: newswire

Bill Number(s):
HB1500 - Active Read Bill

Status:
2/21/2007 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. James D. Brosnahan