The Citizens Utility Board and AARP are joining forces to prevent the phone industry from ending landline service statewide.
The two Tuesday launched the “Save Our Service” campaign. This comes as lawmakers are expected to consider revisions to the Illinois Telecommunications Act next year.
CUB spokeswoman Megan Carlson says the telecom industry is expected to push for phone deregulation.
“The state has 1.3 million landlines. Some of our most vulnerable citizens depend on traditional home phone service as a reliable, affordable and power-outage proof lifeline.”
Mary Patton with AARP says the issue is critical for those with health-monitoring devices that transmit information to doctors via landlines.
“I have a pacemaker and I simply connect it to my telephone, and put this device across my pacemaker. This saves time and money for the doctor’s office and for me.”
Patton says the issue also impacts those living in rural areas and low-income families. Illinois residents are encouraged to contact their lawmakers to discuss the issue. More information is available here.