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frm: Kane County Chronicle

Officials: Boxes increase awareness

By KAREN LONG - klong@kcchronicle.com

GENEVA – Some concerns that Geneva officials had about a bill for state-issued authorization for cable and video services might be addressed through amendments.

State Rep. Tim Schmitz, R-Geneva, said he has been flooded with letters from cable company employees and city officials, but not from regular residents concerned about their cable service.

“I’ve gotten letters from constituents who work for AT&T, and I’ve gotten letters from people who work for Comcast,” Schmitz said.

Geneva officials say they have heard from residents who are curious about three 5-foot-tall boxes on the lawns at City Hall and the city’s two fire stations. The boxes represent what AT&T could put in residents’ yards if the legislation passes, officials have said.

“We have multiple ways to provide information to our citizenry,” Mayor Kevin Burns said. “This way has proven most effective because it draws people’s attention when they’re out and about on their daily business.”

City officials say that House Bill 1500 would give control of local cable franchising to the state and allow telecommunications boxes on the public right of way or on private property.

AT&T representatives have said the company would not put the boxes on private property, but instead on the public right of way, public utility easements or existing private easements. They add that the bill would give residents alternatives to cable TV.

Schmitz said House Bill 1500’s sponsor, state Rep. James Brosnahan, D-Oak Lawn, has been working on amendments that address the eminent domain provisions and the recourse residents would have to complain about service.

Under current law, residents lodge cable complaints through city officials. Under the new law, residents would go through the Illinois Commerce Commission.

The Illinois attorney general’s office also is working on the amendments to ensure consumer protection and true competition, attorney general’s office spokeswoman Cara Smith said.

The House’s Telecommunications Committee is scheduled to have a hearing on the bill Thursday, but Schmitz said the amendment probably would not be ready.

Pete Collins, Geneva information technologies manager, said the city’s display boxes increased awareness about the bill.

“We want to raise public awareness of the issue,” he said. “Those are some of our higher traffic places that are on city property. We want people to go to the Web site and take a look. We want people to research the issue.”