Save Access

from: Kane County Chronicle

Officials remove signs, still dislike bill

By KAREN LONG - klong@kcchronicle.com

GENEVA -- With the state Senate poised to authorize state regulation of cable and video services in Illinois, Geneva officials have taken down their educational lawn ornaments.

from: Chicago Tribune

Cable competition sought
State bill would aid AT&T's rivalry bid

By Jon Van and Jeffrey Meitrodt
Tribune staff reporters
Published June 6, 2007

The state legislature is making a push to increase competition in the cable television market that will bring a side effect all TV watchers could appreciate: a promised cap in the number of hours spent waiting for the cable guy.

from: The Times

House passes cable competition bill
posted Online: 2007-06-02

STEPHANIE SIEVERS, sng2@springnet1.com, 217-524-5797, ,

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois House passed legislation Thursday expected to bring greater cable competition by making it easier for high-tech video providers such as AT&T to break into local television service markets.

from: Herald News

Will AT&T win battle?

June 3, 2007
By BOB OKON Staff writer

The unfinished business in Springfield includes legislation expected to have a big impact on the kind of TV service people get.

Senate Bill 678 is the latest version of legislation hotly contested by Comcast and AT&T.

from: Beacon News

Video bill deal eases most of local concerns

June 1, 2007
BY STEVE LORD Staff Writer

A last-minute compromise forged a video service bill in the Illinois General Assembly that local officials are still unhappy with -- but not as much as they were.

Despite the gutting of muni broadband provisions, PEG provisions have somehow survived the AT&T legislative process in Illinois. Just in from a friend:

The Illinois bill passed the House 113-0 and is expected to pass the Senate tonight.

PEG Provisions in SB 678:

PEGs will receive 1% of gross revenues above the 5% franchise fee with a match in funds for PEGs with funding beyond 1%.

from: Sascha Meinrath

[UPDATE 3] AT&T and Legislators Collude to Pass 11-th Hour Telecom Reform. Illinois SB678 Analysis.

Thu, 2007-05-31 11:31

I am only just now getting a chance to make a first read of this amended 128-page document. AT&T's goal is to pass it by tomorrow -- with almost zero debate, due diligence, or public input. From what little I've garnered thus far, this amendment is an utter disaster for Illinois residents. It's being crammed through in a late-night legislative coup because it would never pass if legislators actually had time to read and analyze this massive document -- first I'll begin with most of the "old" language from SB678.

from: Chicago Business

TV bill passes state House panel

May 31, 2007
By Paul Merrion

(Crain’s) — Legislation to bring TV over phones lines to Illinois, ending cable TV’s near-monopoly, is on the move in Springfield.

Ending lengthy negotiations, AT&T Corp. agreed early Thursday morning to a number of consumer protection provisions crafted for the legislation by Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Consumer groups and municipalities had fought an earlier version of the bill that would have allowed the phone company to win a statewide television franchise with few restrictions.

from: Chicago Business

Madigan enters cable-TV fray
AT&T would challenge Comcast's dominance

Attorney General Lisa Madigan is brokering a deal that could quickly end Comcast Corp.'s near monopoly on cable television in Illinois.

from: Keep Us Connected

Amended HB 1500 Language on the Move

On the morning of May 31, the House Telecommunications Committee passed an amendment to Senate Bill 678. This amendment included language from HB 1500.http://saveaccess.org/node/add/blog

The amendment resolves public, educational, government (PEG) access TV issues and maintains strong consumer protections. The amendment improves but does not address all concerns about build-out requirements.