Illinois 2023-2024 Regular Session

Illinois House Bill HB3689 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3689 Introduced , by Rep. Michelle Mussman SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 220 ILCS 5/13-506.2305 ILCS 23/5305 ILCS 23/10305 ILCS 23/15305 ILCS 23/20 Amends the Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund Act. Changes the definition of "provider" to include a provider of communication services. Provides that each telecommunications carrier, wireless carrier, cable and video service provider, and Interconnected VoIP service provider shall notify its customers that if the customer wishes to participate in the funding of the Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund, the customer may do so by electing to contribute on a monthly basis a fixed amount that will be included in the customer's monthly bill. Provides that the fixed amount choices shall include, but not be limited to, $1, $2, or $5 per month. Provides that if the customer has elected electronic billing, the customer shall also be notified monthly of the opportunity to contribute to the fund. Provides that the customer may cease contributing at any time upon providing notice to the carrier. Provides that the notice shall state that any contribution made will not reduce the customer's bill for communications or broadband services. Provides that the customer's failure to remit the amount of increased payment will reduce the contribution accordingly. Provides that every telecommunications carrier, wireless carrier, cable and video provider, and Interconnected VoIP service provider shall remit the amounts contributed in accordance with the terms established by the fund. Makes other changes to this Act and the Public Utilities Act. Effective immediately. LRB103 28148 AMQ 54527 b A BILL FOR 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3689 Introduced , by Rep. Michelle Mussman SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 220 ILCS 5/13-506.2305 ILCS 23/5305 ILCS 23/10305 ILCS 23/15305 ILCS 23/20 220 ILCS 5/13-506.2 305 ILCS 23/5 305 ILCS 23/10 305 ILCS 23/15 305 ILCS 23/20 Amends the Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund Act. Changes the definition of "provider" to include a provider of communication services. Provides that each telecommunications carrier, wireless carrier, cable and video service provider, and Interconnected VoIP service provider shall notify its customers that if the customer wishes to participate in the funding of the Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund, the customer may do so by electing to contribute on a monthly basis a fixed amount that will be included in the customer's monthly bill. Provides that the fixed amount choices shall include, but not be limited to, $1, $2, or $5 per month. Provides that if the customer has elected electronic billing, the customer shall also be notified monthly of the opportunity to contribute to the fund. Provides that the customer may cease contributing at any time upon providing notice to the carrier. Provides that the notice shall state that any contribution made will not reduce the customer's bill for communications or broadband services. Provides that the customer's failure to remit the amount of increased payment will reduce the contribution accordingly. Provides that every telecommunications carrier, wireless carrier, cable and video provider, and Interconnected VoIP service provider shall remit the amounts contributed in accordance with the terms established by the fund. Makes other changes to this Act and the Public Utilities Act. Effective immediately. LRB103 28148 AMQ 54527 b LRB103 28148 AMQ 54527 b A BILL FOR
2	2	103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3689 Introduced , by Rep. Michelle Mussman SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
3	3	220 ILCS 5/13-506.2305 ILCS 23/5305 ILCS 23/10305 ILCS 23/15305 ILCS 23/20 220 ILCS 5/13-506.2 305 ILCS 23/5 305 ILCS 23/10 305 ILCS 23/15 305 ILCS 23/20
4	4	220 ILCS 5/13-506.2
5	5	305 ILCS 23/5
6	6	305 ILCS 23/10
7	7	305 ILCS 23/15
8	8	305 ILCS 23/20
9	9	Amends the Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund Act. Changes the definition of "provider" to include a provider of communication services. Provides that each telecommunications carrier, wireless carrier, cable and video service provider, and Interconnected VoIP service provider shall notify its customers that if the customer wishes to participate in the funding of the Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund, the customer may do so by electing to contribute on a monthly basis a fixed amount that will be included in the customer's monthly bill. Provides that the fixed amount choices shall include, but not be limited to, $1, $2, or $5 per month. Provides that if the customer has elected electronic billing, the customer shall also be notified monthly of the opportunity to contribute to the fund. Provides that the customer may cease contributing at any time upon providing notice to the carrier. Provides that the notice shall state that any contribution made will not reduce the customer's bill for communications or broadband services. Provides that the customer's failure to remit the amount of increased payment will reduce the contribution accordingly. Provides that every telecommunications carrier, wireless carrier, cable and video provider, and Interconnected VoIP service provider shall remit the amounts contributed in accordance with the terms established by the fund. Makes other changes to this Act and the Public Utilities Act. Effective immediately.
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12	12	A BILL FOR
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15	15	1 AN ACT concerning public utilities.
16	16	2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
17	17	3 represented in the General Assembly:
18	18	4 Section 5. The Public Utilities Act is amended by changing
19	19	5 Section 13-506.2 as follows:
20	20	6 (220 ILCS 5/13-506.2)
21	21	7 (Section scheduled to be repealed on December 31, 2026)
22	22	8 Sec. 13-506.2. Market regulation for competitive retail
23	23	9 services.
24	24	10 (a) Definitions. As used in this Section:
25	25	11 (1) "Electing Provider" means a telecommunications
26	26	12 carrier that is subject to either rate regulation pursuant
27	27	13 to Section 13-504 or Section 13-505 or alternative
28	28	14 regulation pursuant to Section 13-506.1 and that elects to
29	29	15 have the rates, terms, and conditions of its competitive
30	30	16 retail telecommunications services solely determined and
31	31	17 regulated pursuant to the terms of this Article.
32	32	18 (2) "Basic local exchange service" means either a
33	33	19 stand-alone residence network access line and per-call
34	34	20 usage or, for any geographic area in which such
35	35	21 stand-alone service is not offered, a stand-alone flat
36	36	22 rate residence network access line for which local calls
37	37	23 are not charged for frequency or duration. Extended Area
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41	41	103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3689 Introduced , by Rep. Michelle Mussman SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
42	42	220 ILCS 5/13-506.2305 ILCS 23/5305 ILCS 23/10305 ILCS 23/15305 ILCS 23/20 220 ILCS 5/13-506.2 305 ILCS 23/5 305 ILCS 23/10 305 ILCS 23/15 305 ILCS 23/20
43	43	220 ILCS 5/13-506.2
44	44	305 ILCS 23/5
45	45	305 ILCS 23/10
46	46	305 ILCS 23/15
47	47	305 ILCS 23/20
48	48	Amends the Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund Act. Changes the definition of "provider" to include a provider of communication services. Provides that each telecommunications carrier, wireless carrier, cable and video service provider, and Interconnected VoIP service provider shall notify its customers that if the customer wishes to participate in the funding of the Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund, the customer may do so by electing to contribute on a monthly basis a fixed amount that will be included in the customer's monthly bill. Provides that the fixed amount choices shall include, but not be limited to, $1, $2, or $5 per month. Provides that if the customer has elected electronic billing, the customer shall also be notified monthly of the opportunity to contribute to the fund. Provides that the customer may cease contributing at any time upon providing notice to the carrier. Provides that the notice shall state that any contribution made will not reduce the customer's bill for communications or broadband services. Provides that the customer's failure to remit the amount of increased payment will reduce the contribution accordingly. Provides that every telecommunications carrier, wireless carrier, cable and video provider, and Interconnected VoIP service provider shall remit the amounts contributed in accordance with the terms established by the fund. Makes other changes to this Act and the Public Utilities Act. Effective immediately.
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51	51	A BILL FOR
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57	57	220 ILCS 5/13-506.2
58	58	305 ILCS 23/5
59	59	305 ILCS 23/10
60	60	305 ILCS 23/15
61	61	305 ILCS 23/20
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80	80	1 Service shall be included in basic local exchange service.
81	81	2 (3) "Existing customer" means a residential customer
82	82	3 who was subscribing to one of the optional packages
83	83	4 described in subsection (d) of this Section as of the
84	84	5 effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General
85	85	6 Assembly. A customer who was subscribing to one of the
86	86	7 optional packages on that date but stops subscribing
87	87	8 thereafter shall not be considered an "existing customer"
88	88	9 as of the date the customer stopped subscribing to the
89	89	10 optional package, unless the stoppage is temporary and
90	90	11 caused by the customer changing service address locations,
91	91	12 or unless the customer resumes subscribing and is eligible
92	92	13 to receive discounts on monthly telephone service under
93	93	14 the federal Lifeline program, 47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart
94	94	15 E.
95	95	16 (4) "New customer" means a residential customer who
96	96	17 was not subscribing to one of the optional packages
97	97	18 described in subsection (d) of this Section as of the
98	98	19 effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General
99	99	20 Assembly and who is eligible to receive discounts on
100	100	21 monthly telephone service under the federal Lifeline
101	101	22 program, 47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart E.
102	102	23 (b) Election for market regulation. Notwithstanding any
103	103	24 other provision of this Act, an Electing Provider may elect to
104	104	25 have the rates, terms, and conditions of its competitive
105	105	26 retail telecommunications services solely determined and
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116	116	1 regulated pursuant to the terms of this Section by filing
117	117	2 written notice of its election for market regulation with the
118	118	3 Commission. The notice of election shall designate the
119	119	4 geographic area of the Electing Provider's service territory
120	120	5 where the market regulation shall apply, either on a
121	121	6 state-wide basis or in one or more specified Market Service
122	122	7 Areas ("MSA") or Exchange areas. An Electing Provider shall
123	123	8 not make an election for market regulation under this Section
124	124	9 unless it commits in its written notice of election for market
125	125	10 regulation to fulfill the conditions and requirements in this
126	126	11 Section in each geographic area in which market regulation is
127	127	12 elected. Immediately upon filing the notice of election for
128	128	13 market regulation, the Electing Provider shall be subject to
129	129	14 the jurisdiction of the Commission to the extent expressly
130	130	15 provided in this Section.
131	131	16 (c) Competitive classification. Market regulation shall be
132	132	17 available for competitive retail telecommunications services
133	133	18 as provided in this subsection.
134	134	19 (1) For geographic areas in which telecommunications
135	135	20 services provided by the Electing Provider were classified
136	136	21 as competitive either through legislative action or a
137	137	22 tariff filing pursuant to Section 13-502 prior to January
138	138	23 1, 2010, and that are included in the Electing Provider's
139	139	24 notice of election pursuant to subsection (b) of this
140	140	25 Section, such services, and all recurring and nonrecurring
141	141	26 charges associated with, related to or used in connection
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152	152	1 with such services, shall be classified as competitive
153	153	2 without further Commission review. For services classified
154	154	3 as competitive pursuant to this subsection, the
155	155	4 requirements or conditions in any order or decision
156	156	5 rendered by the Commission pursuant to Section 13-502
157	157	6 prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
158	158	7 96th General Assembly, except for the commitments made by
159	159	8 the Electing Provider in such order or decision concerning
160	160	9 the optional packages required in subsection (d) of this
161	161	10 Section and basic local exchange service as defined in
162	162	11 this Section, shall no longer be in effect and no
163	163	12 Commission investigation, review, or proceeding under
164	164	13 Section 13-502 shall be continued, conducted, or
165	165	14 maintained with respect to such services, charges,
166	166	15 requirements, or conditions. If an Electing Provider has
167	167	16 ceased providing optional packages to customers pursuant
168	168	17 to subdivision (d)(8) of this Section, the commitments
169	169	18 made by the Electing Provider in such order or decision
170	170	19 concerning the optional packages under subsection (d) of
171	171	20 this Section shall no longer be in effect and no
172	172	21 Commission investigation, review, or proceeding under
173	173	22 Section 13-502 shall be continued, conducted, or
174	174	23 maintained with respect to such packages.
175	175	24 (2) For those geographic areas in which residential
176	176	25 local exchange telecommunications services have not been
177	177	26 classified as competitive as of the effective date of this
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188	188	1 amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, all
189	189	2 telecommunications services provided to residential and
190	190	3 business end users by an Electing Provider in the
191	191	4 geographic area that is included in its notice of election
192	192	5 pursuant to subsection (b) shall be classified as
193	193	6 competitive for purposes of this Article without further
194	194	7 Commission review.
195	195	8 (3) If an Electing Provider was previously subject to
196	196	9 alternative regulation pursuant to Section 13-506.1 of
197	197	10 this Article, the alternative regulation plan shall
198	198	11 terminate in whole for all services subject to that plan
199	199	12 and be of no force or effect, without further Commission
200	200	13 review or action, when the Electing Provider's residential
201	201	14 local exchange telecommunications service in each MSA in
202	202	15 its telecommunications service area in the State has been
203	203	16 classified as competitive pursuant to either subdivision
204	204	17 (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this Section.
205	205	18 (4) The service packages described in Section 13-518
206	206	19 shall be classified as competitive for purposes of this
207	207	20 Section if offered by an Electing Provider in a geographic
208	208	21 area in which local exchange telecommunications service
209	209	22 has been classified as competitive pursuant to either
210	210	23 subdivision (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this Section.
211	211	24 (5) Where a service, or its functional equivalent, or
212	212	25 a substitute service offered by a carrier that is not an
213	213	26 Electing Provider or the incumbent local exchange carrier
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224	224	1 for that area is also being offered by an Electing
225	225	2 Provider for some identifiable class or group of customers
226	226	3 in an exchange, group of exchanges, or some other clearly
227	227	4 defined geographical area, the service offered by a
228	228	5 carrier that is not an Electing Provider or the incumbent
229	229	6 local exchange carrier for that area shall be classified
230	230	7 as competitive without further Commission review.
231	231	8 (6) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
232	232	9 retail telecommunications services classified as
233	233	10 competitive pursuant to Section 13-502 or subdivision
234	234	11 (c)(5) of this Section shall have their rates, terms, and
235	235	12 conditions solely determined and regulated pursuant to the
236	236	13 terms of this Section in the same manner and to the same
237	237	14 extent as the competitive retail telecommunications
238	238	15 services of an Electing Provider, except that subsections
239	239	16 (d), (g), and (j) of this Section shall not apply to a
240	240	17 carrier that is not an Electing Provider or to the
241	241	18 competitive telecommunications services of a carrier that
242	242	19 is not an Electing Provider. The access services of a
243	243	20 carrier that is not an Electing Provider shall remain
244	244	21 subject to Section 13-900.2. The requirements in
245	245	22 subdivision (e)(3) of this Section shall not apply to
246	246	23 retail telecommunications services classified as
247	247	24 competitive pursuant to Section 13-502 or subdivision
248	248	25 (c)(5) of this Section, except that, upon request from the
249	249	26 Commission, the telecommunications carrier providing
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260	260	1 competitive retail telecommunications services shall
261	261	2 provide a report showing the number of credits and
262	262	3 exemptions for the requested time period.
263	263	4 (d) Each Electing Provider under this Section shall offer
264	264	5 consumer Consumer choice safe harbor options.
265	265	6 (1) An Electing Provider under this Section Subject to
266	266	7 subdivision (d)(8) of this Section, an Electing Provider
267	267	8 in each of the MSA or Exchange areas classified as
268	268	9 competitive pursuant to subdivision (c)(1) or (c)(2) of
269	269	10 this Section shall offer to all residential customers who
270	270	11 choose to subscribe the following optional packages of
271	271	12 services priced at the same rate levels in effect on
272	272	13 January 1, 2010:
273	273	14 (A) A basic package, which shall consist of a
274	274	15 stand-alone residential network access line and 30
275	275	16 local calls. If the Electing Provider offers a
276	276	17 stand-alone residential access line and local usage on
277	277	18 a per call basis, the price for the basic package shall
278	278	19 be the Electing Provider's applicable price in effect
279	279	20 on January 1, 2010 for the sum of a residential access
280	280	21 line and 30 local calls, additional calls over 30
281	281	22 calls shall be provided at the current per call rate.
282	282	23 However, this basic package is not required if
283	283	24 stand-alone residential network access lines or
284	284	25 per-call local usage are not offered by the Electing
285	285	26 Provider in the geographic area on January 1, 2010 or
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296	296	1 if the Electing Provider has not increased its
297	297	2 stand-alone network access line and local usage rates,
298	298	3 including Extended Area Service rates, since January
299	299	4 1, 2010.
300	300	5 (B) An extra package, which shall consist of
301	301	6 residential basic local exchange network access line
302	302	7 and unlimited local calls. The price for the extra
303	303	8 package shall be the Electing Provider's applicable
304	304	9 price in effect on January 1, 2010 for a residential
305	305	10 access line with unlimited local calls.
306	306	11 (C) A plus package, which shall consist of
307	307	12 residential basic local exchange network access line,
308	308	13 unlimited local calls, and the customer's choice of 2
309	309	14 vertical services offered by the Electing Provider.
310	310	15 The term "vertical services" as used in this
311	311	16 subsection, includes, but is not limited to, call
312	312	17 waiting, call forwarding, 3-way calling, caller ID,
313	313	18 call tracing, automatic callback, repeat dialing, and
314	314	19 voicemail. The price for the plus package shall be the
315	315	20 Electing Provider's applicable price in effect on
316	316	21 January 1, 2010 for the sum of a residential access
317	317	22 line with unlimited local calls and 2 times the
318	318	23 average price for the vertical features included in
319	319	24 the package.
320	320	25 (2) (Blank). Subject to subdivision (d)(8) of this
321	321	26 Section, for those geographic areas in which local
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332	332	1 exchange telecommunications services were classified as
333	333	2 competitive on the effective date of this amendatory Act
334	334	3 of the 96th General Assembly, an Electing Provider in each
335	335	4 such MSA or Exchange area shall be subject to the same
336	336	5 terms and conditions as provided in commitments made by
337	337	6 the Electing Provider in connection with such previous
338	338	7 competitive classifications, which shall apply with equal
339	339	8 force under this Section, except as follows: (i) the
340	340	9 limits on price increases on the optional packages
341	341	10 required by this Section shall be extended consistent with
342	342	11 subsection (d)(1) of this Section and (ii) the price for
343	343	12 the extra package required by subsection (d)(1)(B) shall
344	344	13 be reduced by one dollar from the price in effect on
345	345	14 January 1, 2010. In addition, if an Electing Provider
346	346	15 obtains a competitive classification pursuant to
347	347	16 subsection (c)(1) and (c)(2), the price for the optional
348	348	17 packages shall be determined in such area in compliance
349	349	18 with subsection (d)(1), except the price for the plus
350	350	19 package required by subsection (d)(1) (C) shall be the
351	351	20 lower of the price for such area or the price of the plus
352	352	21 package in effect on January 1, 2010 for areas classified
353	353	22 as competitive pursuant to subsection (c)(1).
354	354	23 (3) (Blank). To the extent that the requirements in
355	355	24 Section 13-518 applied to a telecommunications carrier
356	356	25 prior to the effective date of this Section and that
357	357	26 telecommunications carrier becomes an Electing Provider in
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368	368	1 accordance with the provisions of this Section, the
369	369	2 requirements in Section 13-518 shall cease to apply to
370	370	3 that Electing Provider in those geographic areas included
371	371	4 in the Electing Provider's notice of election pursuant to
372	372	5 subsection (b) of this Section.
373	373	6 (4) Each Subject to subdivision (d)(8) of this
374	374	7 Section, an Electing Provider shall make the optional
375	375	8 packages required by this subsection and stand-alone
376	376	9 residential network access lines and local usage, where
377	377	10 offered, readily available to the public by providing
378	378	11 information, in a clear manner, to residential customers.
379	379	12 Information shall be made available on a website, and an
380	380	13 Electing Provider shall provide notification to its
381	381	14 customers every month 6 months, provided that notification
382	382	15 may consist of a bill page message that provides an
383	383	16 objective description of the safe harbor options that
384	384	17 includes a telephone number and website address where the
385	385	18 customer may obtain additional information about the
386	386	19 packages from the Electing Provider. The optional packages
387	387	20 shall be offered on a monthly basis with no term of service
388	388	21 requirement. An Electing Provider shall allow online
389	389	22 electronic ordering of the optional packages and
390	390	23 stand-alone residential network access lines and local
391	391	24 usage, where offered, on its website in a manner similar
392	392	25 to the online electronic ordering of its other residential
393	393	26 services.
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404	404	1 (5) Subject to subdivision (d)(8) of this Section, an
405	405	2 Electing Provider shall comply with the Commission's
406	406	3 existing rules, regulations, and notices in Title 83, Part
407	407	4 735 of the Illinois Administrative Code when offering or
408	408	5 providing the optional packages required by this
409	409	6 subsection (d) and stand-alone residential network access
410	410	7 lines.
411	411	8 (6) Subject to subdivision (d)(8) of this Section, an
412	412	9 Electing Provider shall provide to the Commission
413	413	10 semi-annual subscribership reports as of June 30 and
414	414	11 December 31 that contain the number of its customers
415	415	12 subscribing to each of the consumer choice safe harbor
416	416	13 packages required by subsection (d)(1) of this Section and
417	417	14 the number of its customers subscribing to retail
418	418	15 residential basic local exchange service as defined in
419	419	16 subsection (a)(2) of this Section. The first semi-annual
420	420	17 reports shall be made on April 1, 2011 for December 31,
421	421	18 2010, and on September 1, 2011 for June 30, 2011, and
422	422	19 semi-annually on April 1 and September 1 thereafter. Such
423	423	20 subscribership information shall be accorded confidential
424	424	21 and proprietary treatment upon request by the Electing
425	425	22 Provider.
426	426	23 (7) The Commission shall have the power, after notice
427	427	24 and hearing as provided in this Article, upon complaint or
428	428	25 upon its own motion, to take corrective action if the
429	429	26 requirements of this Section are not complied with by an
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440	440	1 Electing Provider.
441	441	2 (8) On and after the effective date of this amendatory
442	442	3 Act of the 99th General Assembly, an Electing Provider
443	443	4 shall continue to offer and provide the optional packages
444	444	5 described in this subsection (d) to existing customers and
445	445	6 new customers. On and after July 1, 2017, an Electing
446	446	7 Provider may immediately stop offering the optional
447	447	8 packages described in this subsection (d) and, upon
448	448	9 providing two notices to affected customers and to the
449	449	10 Commission, may stop providing the optional packages
450	450	11 described in this subsection (d) to all customers who
451	451	12 subscribe to one of the optional packages. The first
452	452	13 notice shall be provided at least 90 days before the date
453	453	14 upon which the Electing Provider intends to stop providing
454	454	15 the optional packages, and the second notice must be
455	455	16 provided at least 30 days before that date. The first
456	456	17 notice shall not be provided prior to July 1, 2017. Each
457	457	18 notice must identify the date on which the Electing
458	458	19 Provider intends to stop providing the optional packages,
459	459	20 at least one alternative service available to the
460	460	21 customer, and a telephone number by which the customer may
461	461	22 contact a service representative of the Electing Provider.
462	462	23 After July 1, 2017 with respect to new customers, and upon
463	463	24 the expiration of the second notice period with respect to
464	464	25 customers who were subscribing to one of the optional
465	465	26 packages, subdivisions (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(4), (d)(5),
466	466
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476	476	1 (d)(6), and (d)(7) of this Section shall not apply to the
477	477	2 Electing Provider. Notwithstanding any other provision of
478	478	3 this Article, an Electing Provider that has ceased
479	479	4 providing the optional packages under this subdivision
480	480	5 (d)(8) is not subject to Section 13-301(1)(c) of this Act.
481	481	6 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, and
482	482	7 subject to subdivision (d)(7) of this Section, the
483	483	8 Commission's authority over the discontinuance of the
484	484	9 optional packages described in this subsection (d) by an
485	485	10 Electing Provider shall be governed solely by this
486	486	11 subsection (d)(8).
487	487	12 (e) Service quality and customer credits for basic local
488	488	13 exchange service.
489	489	14 (1) An Electing Provider shall meet the following
490	490	15 service quality standards in providing basic local
491	491	16 exchange service, which for purposes of this subsection
492	492	17 (e), includes both basic local exchange service and any
493	493	18 consumer choice safe harbor options that may be required
494	494	19 by subsection (d) of this Section.
495	495	20 (A) Install basic local exchange service within 5
496	496	21 business days after receipt of an order from the
497	497	22 customer unless the customer requests an installation
498	498	23 date that is beyond 5 business days after placing the
499	499	24 order for basic service and to inform the customer of
500	500	25 the Electing Provider's duty to install service within
501	501	26 this timeframe. If installation of service is
502	502
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512	512	1 requested on or by a date more than 5 business days in
513	513	2 the future, the Electing Provider shall install
514	514	3 service by the date requested.
515	515	4 (B) Restore basic local exchange service for the
516	516	5 customer within 30 hours after receiving notice that
517	517	6 the customer is out of service.
518	518	7 (C) Keep all repair and installation appointments
519	519	8 for basic local exchange service if a customer
520	520	9 premises visit requires a customer to be present. The
521	521	10 appointment window shall be either a specific time or,
522	522	11 at a maximum, a 4-hour time block during evening,
523	523	12 weekend, and normal business hours.
524	524	13 (D) Inform a customer when a repair or
525	525	14 installation appointment requires the customer to be
526	526	15 present.
527	527	16 (2) Customers shall be credited by the Electing
528	528	17 Provider for violations of basic local exchange service
529	529	18 quality standards described in subdivision (e)(1) of this
530	530	19 Section. The credits shall be applied automatically on the
531	531	20 statement issued to the customer for the next monthly
532	532	21 billing cycle following the violation or following the
533	533	22 discovery of the violation. The next monthly billing cycle
534	534	23 following the violation or the discovery of the violation
535	535	24 means the billing cycle immediately following the billing
536	536	25 cycle in process at the time of the violation or discovery
537	537	26 of the violation, provided the total time between the
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548	548	1 violation or discovery of the violation and the issuance
549	549	2 of the credit shall not exceed 60 calendar days. The
550	550	3 Electing Provider is responsible for providing the credits
551	551	4 and the customer is under no obligation to request such
552	552	5 credits. The following credits shall apply:
553	553	6 (A) If an Electing Provider fails to repair an
554	554	7 out-of-service condition for basic local exchange
555	555	8 service within 30 hours, the Electing Provider shall
556	556	9 provide a credit to the customer. If the service
557	557	10 disruption is for more than 30 hours, but not more than
558	558	11 48 hours, the credit must be equal to a pro-rata
559	559	12 portion of the monthly recurring charges for all basic
560	560	13 local exchange services disrupted. If the service
561	561	14 disruption is for more than 48 hours, but not more than
562	562	15 72 hours, the credit must be equal to at least 33% of
563	563	16 one month's recurring charges for all local services
564	564	17 disrupted. If the service disruption is for more than
565	565	18 72 hours, but not more than 96 hours, the credit must
566	566	19 be equal to at least 67% of one month's recurring
567	567	20 charges for all basic local exchange services
568	568	21 disrupted. If the service disruption is for more than
569	569	22 96 hours, but not more than 120 hours, the credit must
570	570	23 be equal to one month's recurring charges for all
571	571	24 basic local exchange services disrupted. For each day
572	572	25 or portion thereof that the service disruption
573	573	26 continues beyond the initial 120-hour period, the
574	574
575	575
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577	577
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584	584	1 Electing Provider shall also provide an additional
585	585	2 credit of $20 per calendar day.
586	586	3 (B) If an Electing Provider fails to install basic
587	587	4 local exchange service as required under subdivision
588	588	5 (e)(1) of this Section, the Electing Provider shall
589	589	6 waive 50% of any installation charges, or in the
590	590	7 absence of an installation charge or where
591	591	8 installation is pursuant to the Link Up program, the
592	592	9 Electing Provider shall provide a credit of $25. If an
593	593	10 Electing Provider fails to install service within 10
594	594	11 business days after the service application is placed,
595	595	12 or fails to install service within 5 business days
596	596	13 after the customer's requested installation date, if
597	597	14 the requested date was more than 5 business days after
598	598	15 the date of the order, the Electing Provider shall
599	599	16 waive 100% of the installation charge, or in the
600	600	17 absence of an installation charge or where
601	601	18 installation is provided pursuant to the Link Up
602	602	19 program, the Electing Provider shall provide a credit
603	603	20 of $50. For each day that the failure to install
604	604	21 service continues beyond the initial 10 business days,
605	605	22 or beyond 5 business days after the customer's
606	606	23 requested installation date, if the requested date was
607	607	24 more than 5 business days after the date of the order,
608	608	25 the Electing Provider shall also provide an additional
609	609	26 credit of $20 per calendar day until the basic local
610	610
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612	612
613	613
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620	620	1 exchange service is installed.
621	621	2 (C) If an Electing Provider fails to keep a
622	622	3 scheduled repair or installation appointment when a
623	623	4 customer premises visit requires a customer to be
624	624	5 present as required under subdivision (e)(1) of this
625	625	6 Section, the Electing Provider shall credit the
626	626	7 customer $25 per missed appointment. A credit required
627	627	8 by this subdivision does not apply when the Electing
628	628	9 Provider provides the customer notice of its inability
629	629	10 to keep the appointment no later than 8:00 pm of the
630	630	11 day prior to the scheduled date of the appointment.
631	631	12 (D) Credits required by this subsection do not
632	632	13 apply if the violation of a service quality standard:
633	633	14 (i) occurs as a result of a negligent or
634	634	15 willful act on the part of the customer;
635	635	16 (ii) occurs as a result of a malfunction of
636	636	17 customer-owned telephone equipment or inside
637	637	18 wiring;
638	638	19 (iii) occurs as a result of, or is extended
639	639	20 by, an emergency situation as defined in 83 Ill.
640	640	21 Adm. Code 732.10;
641	641	22 (iv) is extended by the Electing Provider's
642	642	23 inability to gain access to the customer's
643	643	24 premises due to the customer missing an
644	644	25 appointment, provided that the violation is not
645	645	26 further extended by the Electing Provider;
646	646
647	647
648	648
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656	656	1 (v) occurs as a result of a customer request
657	657	2 to change the scheduled appointment, provided that
658	658	3 the violation is not further extended by the
659	659	4 Electing Provider;
660	660	5 (vi) occurs as a result of an Electing
661	661	6 Provider's right to refuse service to a customer
662	662	7 as provided in Commission rules; or
663	663	8 (vii) occurs as a result of a lack of
664	664	9 facilities where a customer requests service at a
665	665	10 geographically remote location, where a customer
666	666	11 requests service in a geographic area where the
667	667	12 Electing Provider is not currently offering
668	668	13 service, or where there are insufficient
669	669	14 facilities to meet the customer's request for
670	670	15 service, subject to an Electing Provider's
671	671	16 obligation for reasonable facilities planning.
672	672	17 (3) Each Electing Provider shall provide to the
673	673	18 Commission on a quarterly basis and in a form suitable for
674	674	19 posting on the Commission's website in conformance with
675	675	20 the rules adopted by the Commission and in effect on April
676	676	21 1, 2010, a public report that includes the following data
677	677	22 for basic local exchange service quality of service:
678	678	23 (A) With regard to credits due in accordance with
679	679	24 subdivision (e)(2)(A) as a result of out-of-service
680	680	25 conditions lasting more than 30 hours:
681	681	26 (i) the total dollar amount of any customer
682	682
683	683
684	684
685	685
686	686
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692	692	1 credits paid;
693	693	2 (ii) the number of credits issued for repairs
694	694	3 between 30 and 48 hours;
695	695	4 (iii) the number of credits issued for repairs
696	696	5 between 49 and 72 hours;
697	697	6 (iv) the number of credits issued for repairs
698	698	7 between 73 and 96 hours;
699	699	8 (v) the number of credits used for repairs
700	700	9 between 97 and 120 hours;
701	701	10 (vi) the number of credits issued for repairs
702	702	11 greater than 120 hours; and
703	703	12 (vii) the number of exemptions claimed for
704	704	13 each of the categories identified in subdivision
705	705	14 (e)(2)(D).
706	706	15 (B) With regard to credits due in accordance with
707	707	16 subdivision (e)(2)(B) as a result of failure to
708	708	17 install basic local exchange service:
709	709	18 (i) the total dollar amount of any customer
710	710	19 credits paid;
711	711	20 (ii) the number of installations after 5
712	712	21 business days;
713	713	22 (iii) the number of installations after 10
714	714	23 business days;
715	715	24 (iv) the number of installations after 11
716	716	25 business days; and
717	717	26 (v) the number of exemptions claimed for each
718	718
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728	728	1 of the categories identified in subdivision
729	729	2 (e)(2)(D).
730	730	3 (C) With regard to credits due in accordance with
731	731	4 subdivision (e)(2)(C) as a result of missed
732	732	5 appointments:
733	733	6 (i) the total dollar amount of any customer
734	734	7 credits paid;
735	735	8 (ii) the number of any customers receiving
736	736	9 credits; and
737	737	10 (iii) the number of exemptions claimed for
738	738	11 each of the categories identified in subdivision
739	739	12 (e)(2)(D).
740	740	13 (D) The Electing Provider's annual report required
741	741	14 by this subsection shall also include, for
742	742	15 informational reporting, the performance data
743	743	16 described in subdivisions (e)(2)(A), (e)(2)(B), and
744	744	17 (e)(2)(C), and trouble reports per 100 access lines
745	745	18 calculated using the Commission's existing applicable
746	746	19 rules and regulations for such measures, including the
747	747	20 requirements for service standards established in this
748	748	21 Section.
749	749	22 (4) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the
750	750	23 service quality rules and customer credits in this
751	751	24 subsection (e) of this Section and other enforcement
752	752	25 mechanisms, including fines and penalties authorized by
753	753	26 Section 13-305, shall apply on a nondiscriminatory basis
754	754
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764	764	1 to all Electing Providers. Accordingly, notwithstanding
765	765	2 any provision of any service quality rules promulgated by
766	766	3 the Commission, any alternative regulation plan adopted by
767	767	4 the Commission, or any other order of the Commission, any
768	768	5 Electing Provider that is subject to any other order of
769	769	6 the Commission and that violates or fails to comply with
770	770	7 the service quality standards promulgated pursuant to this
771	771	8 subsection (e) or any other order of the Commission shall
772	772	9 not be subject to any fines, penalties, customer credits,
773	773	10 or enforcement mechanisms other than such fines or
774	774	11 penalties or customer credits as may be imposed by the
775	775	12 Commission in accordance with the provisions of this
776	776	13 subsection (e) and Section 13-305, which are to be
777	777	14 generally applicable to all Electing Providers. The amount
778	778	15 of any fines or penalties imposed by the Commission for
779	779	16 failure to comply with the requirements of this subsection
780	780	17 (e) shall be an appropriate amount, taking into account,
781	781	18 at a minimum, the Electing Provider's gross annual
782	782	19 intrastate revenue; the frequency, duration, and
783	783	20 recurrence of the violation; and the relative harm caused
784	784	21 to the affected customers or other users of the network.
785	785	22 In imposing fines and penalties, the Commission shall take
786	786	23 into account compensation or credits paid by the Electing
787	787	24 Provider to its customers pursuant to this subsection (e)
788	788	25 in compensation for any violation found pursuant to this
789	789	26 subsection (e), and in any event the fine or penalty shall
790	790
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800	800	1 not exceed an amount equal to the maximum amount of a civil
801	801	2 penalty that may be imposed under Section 13-305.
802	802	3 (5) An Electing Provider in each of the MSA or
803	803	4 Exchange areas classified as competitive pursuant to
804	804	5 subsection (c) of this Section shall fulfill the
805	805	6 requirements in subdivision (e)(3) of this Section for 3
806	806	7 years after its notice of election becomes effective.
807	807	8 After such 3 years, the requirements in subdivision (e)(3)
808	808	9 of this Section shall not apply to such Electing Provider,
809	809	10 except that, upon request from the Commission, the
810	810	11 Electing Provider shall provide a report showing the
811	811	12 number of credits and exemptions for the requested time
812	812	13 period.
813	813	14 (f) Commission jurisdiction over competitive retail
814	814	15 telecommunications services. Except as otherwise expressly
815	815	16 stated in this Section, the Commission shall thereafter have
816	816	17 no jurisdiction or authority over any aspect of competitive
817	817	18 retail telecommunications service of an Electing Provider in
818	818	19 those geographic areas included in the Electing Provider's
819	819	20 notice of election pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section
820	820	21 or of a retail telecommunications service classified as
821	821	22 competitive pursuant to Section 13-502 or subdivision (c)(5)
822	822	23 of this Section, heretofore subject to the jurisdiction of the
823	823	24 Commission, including but not limited to, any requirements of
824	824	25 this Article related to the terms, conditions, rates, quality
825	825	26 of service, availability, classification or any other aspect
826	826
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836	836	1 of any competitive retail telecommunications services. No
837	837	2 telecommunications carrier shall commit any unfair or
838	838	3 deceptive act or practice in connection with any aspect of the
839	839	4 offering or provision of any competitive retail
840	840	5 telecommunications service. Nothing in this Article shall
841	841	6 limit or affect any provisions in the Consumer Fraud and
842	842	7 Deceptive Business Practices Act with respect to any unfair or
843	843	8 deceptive act or practice by a telecommunications carrier.
844	844	9 (g) Commission authority over access services upon
845	845	10 election for market regulation.
846	846	11 (1) As part of its Notice of Election for Market
847	847	12 Regulation, the Electing Provider shall reduce its
848	848	13 intrastate switched access rates to rates no higher than
849	849	14 its interstate switched access rates in 4 installments.
850	850	15 The first reduction must be made 30 days after submission
851	851	16 of its complete application for Notice of Election for
852	852	17 Market Regulation, and the Electing Provider must reduce
853	853	18 its intrastate switched access rates by an amount equal to
854	854	19 33% of the difference between its current intrastate
855	855	20 switched access rates and its current interstate switched
856	856	21 access rates. The second reduction must be made no later
857	857	22 than one year after the first reduction, and the Electing
858	858	23 Provider must reduce its then current intrastate switched
859	859	24 access rates by an amount equal to 41% of the difference
860	860	25 between its then current intrastate switched access rates
861	861	26 and its then current interstate switched access rates. The
862	862
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865	865
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872	872	1 third reduction must be made no later than one year after
873	873	2 the second reduction, and the Electing Provider must
874	874	3 reduce its then current intrastate switched access rates
875	875	4 by an amount equal to 50% of the difference between its
876	876	5 then current intrastate switched access rate and its then
877	877	6 current interstate switched access rates. The fourth
878	878	7 reduction must be made on or before June 30, 2013, and the
879	879	8 Electing Provider must reduce its intrastate switched
880	880	9 access rate to mirror its then current interstate switched
881	881	10 access rates and rate structure. Following the fourth
882	882	11 reduction, each Electing Provider must continue to set its
883	883	12 intrastate switched access rates to mirror its interstate
884	884	13 switched access rates and rate structure. For purposes of
885	885	14 this subsection, the rate for intrastate switched access
886	886	15 service means the composite, per-minute rate for that
887	887	16 service, including all applicable fixed and
888	888	17 traffic-sensitive charges, including, but not limited to,
889	889	18 carrier common line charges.
890	890	19 (2) Nothing in paragraph (1) of this subsection (g)
891	891	20 prohibits an Electing Provider from electing to offer
892	892	21 intrastate switched access service at rates lower than its
893	893	22 interstate switched access rates.
894	894	23 (3) The Commission shall have no authority to order an
895	895	24 Electing Provider to set its rates for intrastate switched
896	896	25 access at a level lower than its interstate switched
897	897	26 access rates.
898	898
899	899
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908	908	1 (4) The Commission's authority under this subsection
909	909	2 (g) shall only apply to Electing Providers under Market
910	910	3 Regulation. The Commission's authority over switched
911	911	4 access services for all other carriers is retained under
912	912	5 Section 13-900.2 of this Act.
913	913	6 (h) Safety of service equipment and facilities.
914	914	7 (1) An Electing Provider shall furnish, provide, and
915	915	8 maintain such service instrumentalities, equipment, and
916	916	9 facilities as shall promote the safety, health, comfort,
917	917	10 and convenience of its patrons, employees, and public and
918	918	11 as shall be in all respects adequate, reliable, and
919	919	12 efficient without discrimination or delay. Every Electing
920	920	13 Provider shall provide service and facilities that are in
921	921	14 all respects environmentally safe.
922	922	15 (2) The Commission is authorized to conduct an
923	923	16 investigation of any Electing Provider or part thereof.
924	924	17 The investigation may examine the reasonableness,
925	925	18 prudence, or efficiency of any aspect of the Electing
926	926	19 Provider's operations or functions that may affect the
927	927	20 adequacy, safety, efficiency, or reliability of
928	928	21 telecommunications service. The Commission may conduct or
929	929	22 order an investigation only when it has reasonable grounds
930	930	23 to believe that the investigation is necessary to assure
931	931	24 that the Electing Provider is providing adequate,
932	932	25 efficient, reliable, and safe service. The Commission
933	933	26 shall, before initiating any such investigation, issue an
934	934
935	935
936	936
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944	944	1 order describing the grounds for the investigation and the
945	945	2 appropriate scope and nature of the investigation, which
946	946	3 shall be reasonably related to the grounds relied upon by
947	947	4 the Commission in its order.
948	948	5 (i) (Blank).
949	949	6 (j) Application of Article VII. The provisions of Sections
950	950	7 7-101, 7-102, 7-104, 7-204, 7-205, and 7-206 of this Act are
951	951	8 applicable to an Electing Provider offering or providing
952	952	9 retail telecommunications service, and the Commission's
953	953	10 regulation thereof, except that (1) the approval of contracts
954	954	11 and arrangements with affiliated interests required by
955	955	12 paragraph (3) of Section 7-101 shall not apply to such
956	956	13 telecommunications carriers provided that, except as provided
957	957	14 in item (2), those contracts and arrangements shall be filed
958	958	15 with the Commission; (2) affiliated interest contracts or
959	959	16 arrangements entered into by such telecommunications carriers
960	960	17 where the increased obligation thereunder does not exceed the
961	961	18 lesser of $5,000,000 or 5% of such carrier's prior annual
962	962	19 revenue from noncompetitive services are not required to be
963	963	20 filed with the Commission; and (3) any consent and approval of
964	964	21 the Commission required by Section 7-102 is not required for
965	965	22 the sale, lease, assignment, or transfer by any Electing
966	966	23 Provider of any property that is not necessary or useful in the
967	967	24 performance of its duties to the public.
968	968	25 (k) Notwithstanding other provisions of this Section, the
969	969	26 Commission retains its existing authority to enforce the
970	970
971	971
972	972
973	973
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976	976
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980	980	1 provisions, conditions, and requirements of the following
981	981	2 Sections of this Article: 13-101, 13-103, 13-201, 13-301,
982	982	3 13-301.1, 13-301.2, 13-301.3, 13-303, 13-303.5, 13-304,
983	983	4 13-305, 13-401, 13-401.1, 13-402, 13-403, 13-404, 13-404.1,
984	984	5 13-404.2, 13-405, 13-406, 13-501, 13-501.5, 13-503, 13-505,
985	985	6 13-509, 13-510, 13-512, 13-513, 13-514, 13-515, 13-516,
986	986	7 13-519, 13-702, 13-703, 13-704, 13-705, 13-706, 13-707,
987	987	8 13-709, 13-713, 13-801, 13-802.1, 13-804, 13-900, 13-900.1,
988	988	9 13-900.2, 13-901, 13-902, and 13-903, which are fully and
989	989	10 equally applicable to Electing Providers and to
990	990	11 telecommunications carriers providing retail
991	991	12 telecommunications service classified as competitive pursuant
992	992	13 to Section 13-502 or subdivision (c)(5) of this Section
993	993	14 subject to the provisions of this Section. On the effective
994	994	15 date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, the
995	995	16 following Sections of this Article shall cease to apply to
996	996	17 Electing Providers and to telecommunications carriers
997	997	18 providing retail telecommunications service classified as
998	998	19 competitive pursuant to Section 13-502 or subdivision (c)(5)
999	999	20 of this Section: 13-302, 13-405.1, 13-502, 13-502.5, 13-504,
1000	1000	21 13-505.2, 13-505.3, 13-505.4, 13-505.5, 13-505.6, 13-506.1,
1001	1001	22 13-507, 13-507.1, 13-508, 13-508.1, 13-517, 13-518, 13-601,
1002	1002	23 13-701, and 13-712.
1003	1003	24 (Source: P.A. 99-6, eff. 6-29-15; 100-20, eff. 7-1-17;
1004	1004	25 100-840, eff. 8-13-18.)
1005	1005
1006	1006
1007	1007
1008	1008
1009	1009
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1015	1015	1 Section 10. The Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund Act is
1016	1016	2 amended by changing Sections 5, 10, 15, and 20 as follows:
1017	1017	3 (305 ILCS 23/5)
1018	1018	4 Sec. 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
1019	1019	5 "Broadband Internet" means lines or wireless channels that
1020	1020	6 terminate at an end-user location and enable the end-user to
1021	1021	7 receive a minimum service level of at least 25 megabits per
1022	1022	8 second download speed and 3 megabits per second upload speed.
1023	1023	9 "Covered agencies" means those social service agencies
1024	1024	10 receiving State or federal funds to assist persons eligible
1025	1025	11 under the Illinois Broadband Adoption Program.
1026	1026	12 "Department" means the Department of Human Services.
1027	1027	13 "Fund" refers to the Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund.
1028	1028	14 "Provider" means a provider of communications services or
1029	1029	15 broadband Internet in this State.
1030	1030	16 (Source: P.A. 102-648, eff. 8-27-21.)
1031	1031	17 (305 ILCS 23/10)
1032	1032	18 Sec. 10. Illinois Broadband Adoption Program. The Illinois
1033	1033	19 Broadband Adoption Program is established for the purpose of
1034	1034	20 expanding availability of broadband Internet connectivity
1035	1035	21 throughout the State by:
1036	1036	22 (1) providing financial assistance to State residents
1037	1037	23 to whom broadband Internet service is available, but who
1038	1038	24 may require assistance to adopt or maintain service due to
1039	1039
1040	1040
1041	1041
1042	1042
1043	1043
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1045	1045
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1049	1049	1 economic hardship;
1050	1050	2 (2) promoting the adoption of home broadband Internet
1051	1051	3 service by State residents, such as through the provision
1052	1052	4 of devices used to connect to the Internet; and
1053	1053	5 (3) supporting digital skills training for State
1054	1054	6 residents.
1055	1055	7 (Source: P.A. 102-648, eff. 8-27-21.)
1056	1056	8 (305 ILCS 23/15)
1057	1057	9 Sec. 15. Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund.
1058	1058	10 (a) The Illinois Broadband Adoption Fund is established as
1059	1059	11 a special fund within the State treasury for the purpose of
1060	1060	12 providing financial assistance under this Act. The Department
1061	1061	13 shall administer the fund.
1062	1062	14 (b) The fund consists of:
1063	1063	15 (1) money received through the federal American Rescue
1064	1064	16 Plan and other vehicles designed to address and relieve
1065	1065	17 economic hardship for State households;
1066	1066	18 (2) money appropriated by the General Assembly;
1067	1067	19 (3) money transferred to the fund under the Treasurer
1068	1068	20 as Custodian of Funds Act; and
1069	1069	21 (4) donations, gifts, and money received from any
1070	1070	22 other source, including transfers from other funds or
1071	1071	23 accounts.
1072	1072	24 (c) The Treasurer shall invest the money in the fund not
1073	1073	25 currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the
1074	1074
1075	1075
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1084	1084	1 same manner as other public funds may be invested.
1085	1085	2 (d) Each telecommunications carrier, wireless carrier,
1086	1086	3 cable and video service provider, and Interconnected VoIP
1087	1087	4 service provider shall notify its customers that if the
1088	1088	5 customer wishes to participate in the funding of the Illinois
1089	1089	6 Broadband Adoption Fund, the customer may do so by electing to
1090	1090	7 contribute on a monthly basis a fixed amount that will be
1091	1091	8 included in the customer's monthly bill. The fixed amount
1092	1092	9 choices shall include, but not be limited to, $1, $2, or $5 per
1093	1093	10 month. If the customer has elected electronic billing, the
1094	1094	11 customer shall also be notified monthly of the opportunity to
1095	1095	12 contribute to the fund. The customer may cease contributing at
1096	1096	13 any time upon providing notice to the carrier. The notice
1097	1097	14 shall state that any contribution made will not reduce the
1098	1098	15 customer's bill for communications or broadband services. The
1099	1099	16 customer's failure to remit the amount of increased payment
1100	1100	17 will reduce the contribution accordingly. Every
1101	1101	18 telecommunications carrier, wireless carrier, cable and video
1102	1102	19 provider, and Interconnected VoIP service provider shall remit
1103	1103	20 the amounts contributed in accordance with the terms
1104	1104	21 established by the fund.
1105	1105	22 (Source: P.A. 102-648, eff. 8-27-21.)
1106	1106	23 (305 ILCS 23/20)
1107	1107	24 Sec. 20. Application for financial assistance.
1108	1108	25 (a) The Department may determine qualifications for
1109	1109
1110	1110
1111	1111
1112	1112
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1115	1115
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1119	1119	1 broadband Internet provider participation or participation by
1120	1120	2 another entity and enter into an agreement with each provider
1121	1121	3 or other entity under which the provider agrees to accept
1122	1122	4 vouchers distributed by the Department under this Act as a
1123	1123	5 form of payment for the provider's broadband Internet service
1124	1124	6 or for devices used in connection to the Internet, including,
1125	1125	7 but not limited to, computers, modems, and routers.
1126	1126	8 (b) In coordination with the covered agencies, the
1127	1127	9 Department shall send information regarding the availability
1128	1128	10 of financial assistance under this Act to each eligible family
1129	1129	11 or person receiving the public assistance in Section (d). The
1130	1130	12 information must include:
1131	1131	13 (1) the name and contact information of each provider
1132	1132	14 who has entered into an agreement with the Department as
1133	1133	15 described in subsection (a) whose broadband Internet
1134	1134	16 service is available in their area; and
1135	1135	17 (2) instructions for applying to the Department for
1136	1136	18 financial assistance under this Section.
1137	1137	19 (c) An individual who receives information under
1138	1138	20 subsection (b) may apply for financial assistance under this
1139	1139	21 Section in the manner specified by the Department. Upon
1140	1140	22 receipt of an application, the Department shall determine:
1141	1141	23 (1) the applicant's eligibility for financial
1142	1142	24 assistance;
1143	1143	25 (2) the amount of financial assistance for which the
1144	1144	26 applicant is eligible; and
1145	1145
1146	1146
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1148	1148
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1151	1151
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1155	1155	1 (3) whether the applicant is eligible for a single
1156	1156	2 payment or a recurring payment of financial assistance,
1157	1157	3 based on the Department's assessment of the applicant's
1158	1158	4 need.
1159	1159	5 (d) An applicant for financial assistance under this Act
1160	1160	6 is automatically eligible for financial assistance under this
1161	1161	7 Act if:
1162	1162	8 (1) the applicant is receiving, or the applicant's
1163	1163	9 household includes, an individual who is receiving
1164	1164	10 benefits under:
1165	1165	11 (A) the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
1166	1166	12 (TANF) program;
1167	1167	13 (B) the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
1168	1168	14 Program (SNAP); or
1169	1169	15 (C) the Medicaid program; or
1170	1170	16 (2) the applicant's household includes a child who is
1171	1171	17 eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.
1172	1172	18 (e) If the Department determines under subsection (c) that
1173	1173	19 an individual is eligible for financial assistance, or that
1174	1174	20 the individual is eligible for financial assistance under
1175	1175	21 subsection (d), the Department may provide financial
1176	1176	22 assistance to the individual or to the broadband Internet
1177	1177	23 provider or other entity designated by the individual in the
1178	1178	24 form of one or more vouchers, each in an amount of up to $50,
1179	1179	25 that can be used by the individual to pay one or more of the
1180	1180	26 following expenses:
1181	1181
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1191	1191	1 (1) fees charged by a broadband Internet provider for
1192	1192	2 installation, activation, equipment purchase, Wi-Fi
1193	1193	3 extenders, or other one-time expenses of providing
1194	1194	4 broadband Internet service to the individual;
1195	1195	5 (2) monthly subscription fees charged by a broadband
1196	1196	6 Internet provider for the provision of broadband Internet
1197	1197	7 service to the individual household, including modem,
1198	1198	8 router, or other service or equipment charges; and
1199	1199	9 (3) overdue amounts owed to provider, including
1200	1200	10 administrative fees and penalties.
1201	1201	11 A voucher or similar designation of eligibility may be
1202	1202	12 provided by the Department in printed or electronic form.
1203	1203	13 (f) A provider that receives a voucher under this Section
1204	1204	14 from an individual household who subscribes to the provider's
1205	1205	15 broadband Internet service shall deduct the amount of the
1206	1206	16 voucher from the amount owed by the subscriber for the
1207	1207	17 provider's provision of broadband Internet service to the
1208	1208	18 individual household on a monthly basis.
1209	1209	19 (g) If the fund does not receive an ongoing appropriation
1210	1210	20 from the General Assembly, the Department shall provide a
1211	1211	21 90-day notice to participating households and broadband
1212	1212	22 Internet providers that financial support will be
1213	1213	23 discontinued.
1214	1214	24 (Source: P.A. 102-648, eff. 8-27-21.)
1215	1215	25 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
1216	1216	26 becoming law.
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