HB6256 Summary

• Eliminates the power of county boards and municipal corporate authorities to tax the business of operating community antenna television (cable) systems, while retaining their ability to license and franchise such systems.

• Declares that the prohibition on taxing cable television systems is a denial and limitation of home rule powers under the Illinois Constitution.

• Requires all cable television franchises entered into by counties and municipalities to include customer service and privacy standards from Article XXII of the Public Utilities Act, with existing franchises amended to incorporate these standards.

• Establishes minimum state-level standards for granting additional cable television franchises, including public hearing requirements and restrictions on terms more favorable to new franchisees than existing ones.

• Takes effect immediately upon becoming law.