Telecommunications & Broadband

Bill: HB 876

Sponsor: Rep. Jonathan Carroll

Status: Re-referred to House Rules Committee

Position: Oppose

Description: Public Utility Disclosures

House Bill 876 requires a public utility, upon a reasonable request by a customer, to provide the customer with maps, profiles, reports, documents, books, accounts, papers and records related to the utility’s property or affecting its business. The utility must also provide to the customer its rates last reported to the Commission.

 

Bill: HB 1633

Sponsor: Rep. Jay Hoffman/Sen. Michael Hastings

Status: Tabled by Sponsor in the Senate – Passed House (77-28-3)

Position: Support

Description: Criminal Damage to Critical Infrastructure

House Bill 1633 creates the offense of criminal damage to a critical infrastructure facility for a person who intentionally damages, destroys or tampers with equipment in a critical infrastructure facility. Provides for civil penalties and is a Class 3 felony punishable by a fine of $100,000, imprisonment, or both. In addition, the legislation establishes civil and criminal penalties for criminal trespass to a critical infrastructure facility and aggravated criminal trespass to a critical infrastructure facility.

 

Bill: HB 3412

Sponsor: Rep. Mike Zalewski

Status: Re-referred to House Rules Committee

Position: Support

Description: Data Center Investment Program

House Bill 3412 is intended to create a growth environment for data center development in Illinois by creating an exemption for qualified tangible personal property used in the construction or operation of a data center that has been granted a certificate of exemption by the Department of Revenue.

 

Bill: HB 3492

Sponsor: Rep. Aaron Ortiz

Status: Re-referred to House Rules Committee

Position: Oppose

Description: Low Income Broadband Assistance Program

House Bill 3492 creates the Low-Income Broadband Assistance Program. It would provide free broadband service to families whose annual household income is at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. It would also provide a $9.95 monthly credit for broadband service to families whose household income is between 100% and 135% of the federal poverty level or that qualify for federal lifeline proxy programs. The Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity would coordinate the program and provide reimbursement to broadband service providers for the customer credits.

 

Bill: SB 686

Sponsor: Sen. Andy Manar

Status: Re-referred to Senate Assignments Committee

Position: Support

Description: Broadband Investment Tax Credit

Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 686 provides an income tax credit of 15% for the cots of equipment and materials used in the business of providing broadband services. The income tax credit is a 10-year tax credit. The amendment also provides a sales tax exemption for equipment and materials used to provide broadband service through December 31, 2023. Tax credits and exemptions apply to 10/1 broadband service or better.

 

Bill: SB 1304

Sponsor: Sen. Michael Hastings

Status: Re-referred to Senate Assignments Committee

Position: Support

Description: Criminal Damage to Critical Infrastructure

House Bill 1633 creates the offense of criminal damage to a critical infrastructure facility for a person who knowingly damages, destroys, vandalizes, defaces, or tampers with equipment in a critical infrastructure facility. Provides the penalty is a Class 1 felony punishable by a fine of $100,000, imprisonment, or both. Provides if a business, corporation, or organization is convicted of conspiracy to commit any of the offenses the entity shall, in addition to any other applicable penalty, be sentenced to a fine of not less than 10 times the minimum fine authorized for the offense.

 

Bill: SB 1843

Sponsor: Sen. Jil Tracy

Status: Senate Assignments Committee

Position: Neutral

Description: Broadband Advisory Council (Shell Bill)

Senate Bill 1843 is a shell bill related to the Broadband Advisory Council.