UTILITIES-TELEPHONE SYSTEM

Amends the Emergency Telephone System Act. Requires one network connection for each T-1 facility. Defines "high-speed channelized service". Provides no public agency or unit of local government shall be liable, except for wilful or wanton misconduct, in connection with placing out-going emergency calls. Adds high-speed channelized service to the types of service that require 5 surcharges per network. Adds to the Section describing the offense of interference with emergency communication a provision that states that any person who without lawful justification interrupts, prevents or otherwise interferes with a 9-1-1 call is subject to Section 26-2 of the Criminal Code (Class A misdemeanor). Amends the Criminal Code by amending the Section describing the offense of interference with emergency communication adding verbal or physical obstruction of a 9-1-1 call or prevention of an emergency communication to the offense. Adds definition of "report of a crime to a law enforcement agency" and "emergency communication" to the criminal offense. Makes the offense solely a Class A misdemeanor (now, Class A and B for different types of interference). Repeals Section 13 of the Emergency Telephone System Act. Effective immediately.