On March 12, the Local Government Committee of the Illinois State Senate moved one step closer to silencing public voices on cable television. The bill, SB1345, is sponsored by Senator Dan Cronin (R) of Elmhurst, IL and Senator Wendell E. Jones (R) of Palatine, IL. The bill passed unanimously out of committee on March 12, 2003.
If the bill becomes law, it would effectively end PEG access television in Illinois.
SB1345 amends the Illinois Municipal Code, providing that beyond the franchise fees otherwise payable, cable companies shall not be required to pay cities or access stations for the costs or expenses incurred in providing public, educational, or governmental access programming.
This is a significant departure from traditional funding models for many access stations across the state. Typically, PEG access is funded with cable monies above and beyond franchise payments made to cities.
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