Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

During the rewrite of the Illinois telecommunications law, the Illinois General Assembly incorporated language into the Public Utilities Act ("PUA") requiring the Illinois Commerce Commission ("Commission") to develop a rule that requires each telecommunications carrier to notify its customers that if the customer wishes to participate in the funding of the Program to Foster Elimination of the Digital Divide they may do so by electing to contribute on a monthly basis through their telephone bill. Former Governor Ryan signed Public Act 92-0022 into law on June 29, 2001.

All telecommunications carriers are required to annually notify their customers via paper or electronic insert or message that they may elect to participate in the funding of the Program by electing to contribute on a monthly basis a fixed amount to be included in the monthly telephone bill, until cancelled by the customer. Telecommunications carriers may also use their directories to advertise the program. Telecommunications carriers shall inform customers verbally or in written format that they may contribute to the Program with all orders for new service installation. Customers may elect to contribute $.50, $1, $2, $5, $10, $15, or $25 per month per line.

All telecommunications carriers must report and remit all donations received during the quarter within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter to DCEO. In the event that no donations are collected during a quarter, a quarterly report must be submitted to DCEO or its designee certifying that zero voluntary donations were received.
The links below provide more information about the requirements for LECs to collect and remit voluntary contributions to DCEO.

Regulations – Title 83, Chapter I, Subchapter f, Part 758
FAQ – Program to Foster the Elimination of the Digital Divide
Bill Insert – Model bill insert for use by LECs
Remittance Form – Required for submittal of contributions and quarterly reporting.

For more information about requirements relating to remittance and reporting of voluntary contributions contact:

Kathy Blom
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
620 East Adams
Accounting 2nd Floor
Springfield, Illinois 62701-1696
Telephone: 217-785-6426

Voluntary contributions are used to make grant awards to public and private organizations pursuant to the requirements of the Illinois Eliminate the Digital Divide Law (30 ILCS 780). Funds are awarded to eligible applicants (e.g., community-based organization, schools, libraries, park districts, etc.) through a competitive request for proposals (RFP) process. The department posts RFPs here.

For information from the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) contact:

Barbara Lankford
Illinois Commerce Commission
527 E. Capitol
P.O. Box 19280
Springfield, IL 62701
Telephone: 217-782-2024