One far-reaching bill introduced in Springfield would create the Video and Cable Competition Law, allowing AT&T a state-wide franchise rather than municipality by municipality as is now the case. I have heard from many constituents on both sides of the issue. We all agree that more competition in the video and cable arena is needed for consumers, but there the agreement ends.

I am taking a lead position on this issue bringing together a group of consumer advocates to work on this bill. Other states have enacted a similar law and I want us to learn from the other states’ experiences so that we have all the consumer protections in place.

I held a public meeting on April 10 to provide information to residents in my district. The meeting will be re-aired on cable Channel 19, on April 17 at 11 am. Members of the public, municipalities and their cable commission members, AT&T and Comcast all were given an opportunity to speak. Consumers are most concerned about customer service, the lack of choice available in cable and the intricacies and costs involved in blocking channels.

Municipalities and their commissions are concerned that there be universal access rather than allowing the competitors to pick and choose where to provide service. Currently, Comcast provides universal access in my district. The municipalities also want local control of where the large AT&T boxes are placed on public property within the community.

I serve on the Telecommunications Committee and attended several lengthy hearings. The bill is a work- in-progress. I questioned AT&T about rates since they had not promised to reduce rates. At the hearing, AT&T said rates would decrease. The Committee is taking its time and hearing testimony from all sides.

We’ve all been getting our higher electric bills. As a member of the Electric Oversight Committee I continue to monitor electric rates and fight for some reductions. I have heard from hundreds of condo owners in my district who have been surprised by huge rate increases applied to common areas in a condo.

Previously, many condos were billed at the residential rate for common areas by agreeing to go “all electric” when the condo was built. Beginning January 1, the rates changed to commercial rates which are much higher and can have an impact of $100 per month for a condo owner.

I attended a hearing on Thursday April 12 regarding this issue and have asked condo association representatives in my district to attend. I will provide an update to you in my next newsletter.

I introduced legislation to protect patients and put an end to an unseemly practice by unscrupulous individuals looking to make a quick buck. The bill, approved unanimously by the House, bans the practice of prescribing medications over the Internet or phone without a medical consultation. The bill was drafted by the Illinois State Medical Society so it wouldn’t restrict situations such as new admissions to facilities, coverage by colleagues in a practice and emergency situations.

Doctors hundreds of miles away cannot legitimately understand a patient’s medical history and symptoms through a website. The FDA approves prescription drugs with the understanding that a trained medical professional will examine a patient and evaluate his or her need for the medication.

On March 23, I passed two bills aimed at improving the health and development of children. As a follow up to the ban of mercury auto switches which I passed last year, I passed a bill that bans the sale and distribution of medical devices that contain mercury. Such devices account for 28% of the mercury pollution created each year. Alternatives are readily available so the bill met with little opposition and passed unanimously. I am proud that this bill will move Illinois into position to have the strictest mercury pollution laws in the United States.

My other bill, The Green Cleaning Schools Act, will require all elementary and secondary schools in Illinois to purchase environmentally sensitive cleaning supplies that do not expose students and teachers to harmful chemicals. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that half of all students, teachers and school staff are exposed to polluted indoor air that may be five to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air. The toxins found in every day cleaning supplies cause much of this pollution.

Last month I passed a bill out of the House which creates a cancer-drug repository allowing cancer patients or their families to donate unused prescription drugs still in their original, sealed packaging and more than six months before their expiration date back to a pharmacy. The pharmacies who voluntarily participate in the program will make the medication available to needy eligible cancer patients with a prescription for the drug.

Senator Susan Garrett and I will be holding community meetings on Saturday, April 28 to discuss the General Assembly’s spring agenda and legislative initiatives. Our new State Treasurer, Alexi Giannoulias will join us to discuss his initiatives such as the changes he has made to the Bright Start College Saving Program.

9 am – 10 am at Mocha Café, 742 Sheridan Rd., Highwood
11 am – 12 pm at Glencoe Public Library, 320 Park Ave., Glencoe
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm at Deerfield Public Library, 920 N. Waukegan Ave., Deerfield