[EAS] First Informer Broadcasters' Act

[Mike McCarthy]

See below.  Illinois becomes the 2nd state to recognize the importance of keeping broadcasters relaying important EMCOM information on the air during emergencies. IOW, stations which simply pay the hits from the closet automation system need not apply.  The station needs to agree with the program's directives about relaying EMCOM to gain the elevated credential.

Wisconsin has a similar program, but IIRC is limited to only technical facilities and technical people and doesn't address the programming/emergency content dissemination aspect.  So while engineers can get to their TX's and studios within a restricted area to keep them running, talent and support staff are left out even if they're wanting to convey EMCOM.

What is truly amazing is the fact both chambers of the grid-locked Legislature passed the Bill with no opposition in short order. In fact, the Bill had the support of even the City of of Chicago.

M M

-------- Original Message --------

1/31/2013

Today, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a bill HB5528, which
gives Illinois radio, television, and cable operators rights and abilities
during times of disasters.  Broadcasters' key employees will now have the
necessary emergency credentials to gain access to their studios or
transmitter facilities, even if authorities have closed down roads and/or
areas in a crisis.  The law also allows for the delivery of fuel and repair
items necessary to power the broadcast facilities' transmitters and
emergency generators.

The new law is effective immediately.

The HB5528 bill was first introduced in the Illinois House by
Representative John Bradley on February 15, 2012.  It was subsequently
sponsored by Senators Antonio Munoz and Kirk Dillard in the Illinois
Senate.  It was immediately championed by Dennis Lyle, President and CEO of
the Illinois Broadcasters Association (IBA).

On March 27, 2012, the bill was passed in the Illinois House of
Representatives by a vote of 114-0.  On January 3, 2013, the bill was
passed in the Illinois Senate by a vote of 50-0.  Unanimous votes from both
state houses.  Five days later, it was sent to the Governor's office to be
signed in to law.  Almost one year after bill HB5528 began, Governor Quinn
today made that bill state law.

The "First Informer Broadcasters Act" is now officially law #430 ILCS 170/.

Illinois is only the second state in the country, after Nevada, to pass
such a bill into law.

The IBA's Dennis Lyle said today, "The governor's support in signing the
bill confirms the spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, and great working
relationship that already exists between local broadcasters and Illinois'
Emergency Management and Law Enforcement agencies.  Illinois' brave first
responders have always known they can depend on their dedicated local
broadcasters to assist them in disseminating critical information to the
masses, regardless the disaster or emergency.  This legislation assures our
broadcasters can keep generators fueled, and stations operational, in times
of disasters, allowing them to do what they best; keeping the public informed."

The next step in this process is for the IBA to work hand-in-hand with the
Illinois Emergency Management Agency to create a training curriculum for
emergency broadcasting situations.  Once approved, broadcast personnel and
cable operators will have to study and complete the new curriculum before
being awarded these emergency credentials.