Help Protect Your Home Phone and Safety

AT&T pushed through the Illinois General Assembly a bill that would put an end to all landline telephone services without an alternative.

This bill would abolish state required landline services to all households and eliminate low-cost calling plans.

AARP Illinois joined with Illinois PIRG and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) to try to protect consumers against deregulation. In the end, legislators sided with a multi-billion dollar profitable company, instead of protecting consumers or solving Illinois’ most pressing and important issue –a balanced budget.

The passage of Senate Bill 1839 additionally means concerns of increased isolation and safety and security risks for up to 1.2 million individuals who relied and depended on traditional and affordable landline telephone service.

This means that seniors living on fixed incomes, residents of rural areas, individuals who rely on landlines to connect with their health care providers and transmit information from lifesaving devices such as pacemakers are at risk of being disconnected and increasingly isolated without affordable alternatives.

Small businesses and low-income families would also be affected if this bill passes. This law puts the safety and financial security of many Illinoisans in jeopardy.

AARP urges Illinoisans to call now, toll-free, 1-844-220-5552 and tell Governor Rauner to veto AT&T’s deregulation bill, Senate Bill 1839. Join your voice today!