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SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, High-speed Internet access service, referred to
3generically as "broadband advanced communication services,"
4including both wired and wireless technologies, is essential in
5the 21st century for economic competitiveness and quality of
6life; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Broadband infrastructure is vital to the
8operation and management of other critical infrastructures,
9including energy generation systems, the power grid, water
10supply systems, smart cities, the Internet of Things, public
11safety and emergency response systems, medical facilities,
12educational institutions, and libraries; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Studies confirm that the use of broadband advanced
14communication services increases economic productivity, public
15and private organizational operation efficiency, and enhanced
16business profitability; and
 
17    WHEREAS, The provision and maintenance of equitable access
18to technology, broadband Internet access services, digital
19content, and classroom management tools are necessary for all
20students, teachers, and school administrators in Illinois,
21including those in rural and other unserved and underserved
22areas, in order to provide equal educational resources to all

 

 

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1students at all education levels; and
 
2    WHEREAS, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
3adopted open Internet rules on February 26, 2015, to protect
4free expression and innovation on the Internet and to promote
5investment in the nation's broadband networks; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The open Internet rules ensure that consumers and
7businesses have access to a fast, fair, and open Internet by
8imposing three bright-line rules; first, broadband providers
9shall not block access to lawful content, applications,
10services, or non-harmful devices; second, broadband providers
11shall not impair or degrade lawful Internet traffic on the
12basis of content, application, or service, or use of a
13non-harmful device; third, broadband providers shall not favor
14some lawful Internet traffic over other lawful Internet traffic
15in exchange for consideration of any kind; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Because the Internet must be a place in which
17companies, large and small, as well as individual developers,
18can compete on a level playing field, the State of Illinois
19supports net neutrality as a principle that underpins a fast,
20fair, and open Internet for consumers and businesses to ensure
21equal access to lawful content by prohibiting paid
22prioritization, throttling, and blocking; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Businesses may have to pay a toll just to reach
2customers; this would put small and medium-sized businesses at
3a disadvantage and prevent innovative new ones from even
4getting off of the ground; therefore, be it
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
6ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we strongly support
7each of the above positions, view them as high priorities for
8Illinois and the country, and oppose any federal efforts to
9rescind or block them; and be it further
 
10    RESOLVED, That we respectfully urge the President of the
11United States and Members of the United States Congress to
12continue to protect net neutrality and open Internet access;
13and be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
15delivered to the President and Vice President of the United
16States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States
17Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leaders of the United States
18House of Representatives, and all members of the Illinois
19Congressional Delegation.