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*** UPDATE *** Governor’s office lawyers say that if the governor waits to take action on this bill until after June 30th, then an override won’t matter because the bill renews the Telecommunications Act and the Cable and Video statute. Those acts are set to automatically expire on June 30th. So, the GA couldn’t technically renew an act that had already expired with an override. And that’s why the governor is now demanding a “clean” bill.
* This bill passed the Senate 53-3 and cleared the House 81-27, way more than enough for an override if the Republicans stick to their guns…
From: Jason Heffley, Policy Advisor for Energy and Environment
To: Cindy Barbera-Brelle, Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator
Date: June 22, 2017
Re: Update on SB 1839As you know, the House and Senate passed SB 1839 on May 31, 2017. The legislation combined several provisions including carrier of last resort (COLR) obligation relief for AT&T, Illinois State Police’s package of technical changes to the Emergency Telephone System Act, sunset extensions to Article XIII (Telecommunications) and Article XXI (Cable and Video) of the Public Utilities Act as well Emergency Telephone System Act, and 9-1-1 surcharge increases for the city of Chicago (from $3.90 to $5) and the rest of the state (from $.87 to $1.50).
While the Governor has yet to receive SB 1839 from the Senate for consideration, he has been very clear that the surcharge increases would be unacceptable. The city of Chicago has already received two significant increases in the last four years – from $1.25 to $2.50 in 2013 and from $2.50 to $3.90 in 2014. In fact, the Chicago Sun-Times ran a story the day after passage of the bill that touted the legislation as a 28% phone tax to bailout pensions. Additionally, the increase for the remainder of the state is significantly higher than the $1.05 that was recommended by the 9-1-1 Advisory Board that studied the issue for two years. The increase is especially concerning given the fact that the State’s consultant has not yet completed its assessment and made a recommendation, including cost projections, for moving the State towards a Next Generation 9-1-1 network solution, which would also include Chicago.
Since it is clear that the Governor will not sign this legislation as passed, I wanted to make sure you are aware of the potential impacts to other key provisions of the bill – specifically, the sunset provision for the Emergency Telephone System Act, which will repeal on July 1. Without an extension of the ETSA, carriers will no longer be able to collect surcharges from their customers and the State Police will no longer be able to distribute those surcharge monies to local 9-1-1 systems.
While there is nothing that will prohibit carriers from providing the 9-1-1 service if the Act sunsets and the State Police will be able to continue to disperse monies to the local operators through the lapse period in August, no new surcharge money may be collected as of July 1. It would be a decision of the local 9-1-1 service providers to continue to provide service without an extension, and the lack of monies being collected could have impacts in the long run on some local operators.
To be clear: the Governor absolutely supports 9-1-1 services across the state and strongly supports extension of the ETSA without delay. He supported a clean extension of the Act at the end of May and he continues to support one today. It is imperative that the General Assembly immediately take up and pass a clean bill to extend the sunset provision of the ETSA before June 30 to ensure there is no long term harm to Illinois’ 9-1-1 services.
The General Assembly should not put the 9-1-1 system at risk by sending the Governor legislation with poison pills knowing full well he will not sign them into law. There is time left to send the Governor a clean 9-1-1 bill prior to July 1. Please inform all local 9-1-1 operators of this potential danger and highlight the importance of passing a clean sunset extension by June 30.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 2:28 pm
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His emotions and dislike for Chicago, Rahm, and Madigan are getting in the way of common sense governing. When he looks back at his tenure he’s going to realize his ego and emotions got in the way of solving and fixing Illinois’ problems. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but Illinois is being destroyed day by day.
Comment by Almost the Weekend Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 2:43 pm
So, does he think the head of the state’s 911 board has the ability to introduce and pass a bill?
Comment by Liz Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 2:49 pm
Obvious first question, did the administration weigh in with there concerns prior to passage? Secondly, were they part of negotiations? My guess is no and no.
Comment by Captain Ed Smith Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 2:51 pm
===did the administration weigh in with there concerns prior to passage? Secondly, were they part of negotiations?===
Yes and yes. But they wanted to kill it from the get-go because of the additional money for Chicago.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 2:53 pm
First the governor’s Rahm obsession kills the Thompson Center sale, now downstate 911 centers and a telecommunications bill that the entire business community supports become collateral damage.
Heck of a way to run a state.
Comment by Roman Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 2:54 pm
Every time you think it can’t get worse. . .
Comment by Lt Guv Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 2:57 pm
That’s just plain goofy. What about all of the people it could effect?He should be thinking of the common good not how to get under Rahm’s skin. This is a petty move.
Comment by Flynn's mom Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 2:58 pm
I honestly do not think that it’s possible for a man with his personality flaws to be effective as a Governor. We’ve seen this first hand now for two and a half years.
Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:02 pm
===His emotions and dislike for Chicago, Rahm, and Madigan are getting in the way of common sense governing. ===
Governing? we’ve been waiting 2-1/2 years and counting.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:03 pm
What a grass bowl. *sigh*
Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:04 pm
The ILGA website shows the bill hasn’t even been sent to the Governor…is it possible this is an attempt to bring something else into negotiations for the special session?
It seems like if they send it over with whatever stop-gap they (sorta) want him to veto then they’ll blame him for 911 not working too? And this is his team’s way of saying not gonna happen we said we’d veto before it even got to the Governor’s desk?
Or am I just deep in the wilderness on this…
Comment by EVanstonian Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:10 pm
Not positive on this, but the way legislation is “renewed” is by extending the effective date. And I think you can absolutely do that after legislation sunsets.
Comment by AlabamaShake Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:13 pm
To the update:
Is there prior precedent for a statute to expire while legislation to extend it is pending? Wouldn’t there be language written into the original legislation to account for this? I’d love to hear from other legal minds about this.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:13 pm
The AT&T relief of Carrier of Last Resort duties in this bill is a pretty big bad deal for many people in Illinois. Too much important stuff is crammed into this bill. Once again both sides and lobbyists are at fault for making sure parts of the bill are viewed as profoundly critical while sneaking in other parts that should not see the light of day.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:14 pm
- Responsa -
It’s actually the other way around. The AT&T stuff had wide support and was going to easily pass. The 911 fees were tucked in during the final days of session.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:21 pm
If Rauner was trying to kill the Chicago 911 surcharge increase, why did he let so many House and Senate Republicans vote for it?
Comment by Speculator Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:23 pm
I believe Responsa was talking about the people of this state having problems with ATT bill, not the legislature.
Comment by yo Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:27 pm
yo - Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:27 pm:–
That is correct.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:30 pm
===why did he let===
They revolted.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:32 pm
“…because of the additional money for Chicago…”
Didn’t we just hear Madigan blow his horn yesterday, declaring that he was the truthful one?
All the news today is about a bunch of double-dealing gotchya politics. That state house bunch needs more revolts.
And folks wonder why those of us downstate would entertain seceding to get away from Chicago Democrats. /s
Comment by cdog Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:46 pm
The AT&T portion of the bill enjoyed strong bipartisan support.
Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Michigan
and Ohio have passed similar laws. Big states like
Florida and Texas as well.
Comment by fdrdemocrat Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:49 pm
==Governor’s office lawyers say that if the governor waits to take action on this bill until after June 30th, then an override won’t matter because the bill renews the Telecommunications Act and the Cable and Video statute. ==
Then Rauner better quit using this as leverage, quit campaigning, and sign it before June 30th.
If 911 shuts down, it is all on Rauner.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:52 pm
== Please inform all local 9-1-1 operators of this potential danger and highlight the importance of passing a clean sunset extension by June 30. ==
Those operators don’t want a “clean” extension…they want a fee increase.
Comment by FTR Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 3:55 pm
To quote my mother, (and probably everybody’s mother) “Well, if Johnny jumped off a bridge would you follow him?”
The Federal Communications Commission is currently allowing AT&T to experiment with discontinuing landline service in parts of Alabama and Florida. Customers in urban areas are switched to AT&T’s U-verse service, those in rural areas are switched to cell service. Both services are unregulated. If AT&T can sell the Illinois legislature on abandoning its need to serve as a “carrier of last resort,” the company will have the unilateral right to disconnect service, set rates at will, and be under few, if any, customer service obligations.
In states where AT&T won the near-total deregulation it now seeks in Illinois, phone rates quickly soared. In California, AT&T flat rate calling shot up 115% between 2006 and 2013 — from $10.69 to $23 a month. AT&T also raised prices on calling features and other services.
In earlier trials run by Verizon, similar wireless landline replacement devices lacked support for home medical and security alarm monitoring, did not handle faxes or credit card authorizations, and often lacked precision in locating customers calling 911 in an emergency. The equipment also failed during power outages if the customer lacked battery backup equipment.
In states where AT&T won the near-total deregulation it now seeks in Illinois, phone rates quickly soared. In California, AT&T flat rate calling shot up 115% between 2006 and 2013 — from $10.69 to $23 a month. AT&T also raised prices on calling features and other services.
In earlier trials run by Verizon, similar wireless landline replacement devices lacked support for home medical and security alarm monitoring, did not handle faxes or credit card authorizations, and often lacked precision in locating customers calling 911 in an emergency. The equipment also failed during power outages if the customer lacked battery backup equipment.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 4:01 pm
Not sure they have the law right on this one, but I’ll assume they do.
The repealer is July 1, not June 30. And the Governor had the wisdom to call a special session for June 30, so guess who is going to be in town that day for an override vote?
Comment by Juice Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 4:03 pm
sorry for the repetition above. here is the article quoted:
http://stopthecap.com/2015/01/12/illinois-free-att-regulation-responsibility-bill-returns-2015/
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 4:04 pm
More confirmation that the Governor is not going to do anything that provides one iota more of money to Chicago, no matter the consequences of taking such a stance.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 4:13 pm
Why is it so much more expensive in Chicago?
Comment by California Guy Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 4:24 pm
I feel fairly certain that the Governor’s attorney analysis is completely wrong.
Comment by ILPundit Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 4:42 pm
== Why is it so much more expensive in Chicago ==
Partially because their costs are higher, but mostly because they use their fees to pay for emergency functions beyond straight 911 functions — like payroll costs for police officers.
Comment by FTR Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 4:43 pm
Wait, Indiana does this? So doesn’t that instantly make it great in Rauner’s eyes? /s
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 4:44 pm
Illinois has $251 billion of pension debt.
That’s $251,000,000,000. It’s a quarter of a trillion dollars.
It’s time to go bankrupt and move all State employees to 401(k)s. The State has failed you.
Comment by Matt P. Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 4:50 pm
So the governor will endanger 9-1-1 service Downstate because the bill allows Chicago to collect a tax from city residents, and Rauner wants to stick it to Emanuel?
Is that not selfish and malicious?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 4:51 pm
Resoonsa: So there are some very good reasons for Rauner to veto this bill? I’ll bet that he doesn’t know them…
Comment by downstate commissioner Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 4:52 pm
Rauner should not hold the 911 call centers as another hostage.
Comment by Mama Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 4:56 pm
==Then Rauner better quit using this as leverage, quit campaigning, and sign it before June 30th.==
Rauner can’t do anything with a bill that hasn’t been delivered to him. That’s wholly on the G.A.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 4:58 pm
Again: Rauner killing bill because he only got 90 percent of what he wanted.
Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 5:00 pm
Thanks for weighing in on topic Matt P. (RME) Tough enough to get through all these comments on all these posts without the added drivel.
Comment by Original Rambler Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 5:27 pm
And the House and Senate Republicans are still revolting.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 5:56 pm
Responsa is 100 percent correct.
Land line telephones, at a low cost, are essential for some people, and for some purposes.
Comment by winners and losers Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 5:58 pm
@ Original Rambler
Relax. There is no need to be upset:
http://gph.is/17a18SE
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 6:47 pm
- Matt P. - @ 4:50 pm:
Please post a detailed legal analysis including SCOTUS citations, and a financial analysis of the savings to be achieved by GRF budget line item, for your position.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 7:38 pm
It makes me sick that big brother took away our local control of our referendum surcharge. Tells us that we must reduce our PASP’s 50% to save money and then turns around and request higher fees state-wide
and drives up costs on their end. Money and Power with a bunch of rotten eggs. Local control works best for those who are responsible. The others around the state that can not manage their operation should be managed by an outside source or privatized.
Comment by Responsible 911 provider Tuesday, Jun 27, 17 @ 11:11 am