Creates the High Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Law and amends the State Finance Act. Provides that the Lieutenant Governor, with the advice of the Broadband Deployment Council, shall enlist a nonprofit corporation to implement a comprehensive, statewide high speed Internet deployment strategy and adoption initiative. Specifies the duties of the nonprofit organization. Provides that nothing in the High Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Law shall be construed as giving the Lieutenant Governor, the Broadband Deployment Council, the nonprofit organization, or other entities any additional authority, regulatory or otherwise, over providers of telecommunications, broadband, and information technology. Creates the High Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Fund as a special fund in the State treasury, to be used, subject to appropriation, by the Lieutenant Governor for purposes of providing grants to the nonprofit organization enlisted under the Law. Provides that on the effective date of the Law, all moneys in the Digital Divide Elimination Infrastructure Fund which have not already been distributed or ordered distributed by the Illinois Commerce Commission shall be transferred to the High Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Fund. Contains other provisions concerning local governmental entities who undertake local broadband projects. Amends the Universal Telephone Service Protection Law of 1985 in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a telecommunications carrier that is not subject to regulation under an alternative regulation plan pursuant to specified provisions may reduce the rate or charge for a noncompetitive service, service element, feature, or functionality offered to customers on a separate, stand-alone basis or as part of a bundled service offering by filing with the Commission a tariff that shows the reduced rate or charge and all applicable terms and conditions of the noncompetitive service, service element, feature, or functionality or bundled offering. Provides that provisions concerning basic local exchange service quality and the consumer complaint resolution process do not apply to telephone cooperatives. Changes the repeal date of the Universal Telephone Service Protection Law of 1985 from July 1, 2007 to July 1, 2009.
Sponsored bills
Congratulates Gregory Okon on the occasion of his retirement from the Orland Park Police Department.
Urges the Department of Public Health to develop a program to educate parents, day care administrators, and physicians about the health benefits of influenza immunization for children age 6 months to 59 months.
Congratulates Pam Deiters on her retirement from the Tinley Park Public Library.
Congratulates the Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park 2007 Class AA State Wrestling Champions.
Congratulates Thomas J. Sedor, principal of Infant Jesus of Prague School, on being named one of twelve recipients of the National Catholic Education Association's Dr. Robert Kealey Distinguished Principal Awards for 2006.
Congratulates the Tinley Park High School Cheerleading Team on being named the Illinois High School Association State Champions for 2007.
Congratulates the St. Rita of Cascia High School Varsity Football Team on winning the 7A State Championship.
Congratulates the St. Rita of Cascia High School Varsity Football Team on winning the 7A State Championship.
Creates a Joint Task Force on Community Colleges to review the present community college system and its future.