Earlier today, the House Cybersecurity, Data Analytics & IT Committee approved House Bill 4819, a measure that seeks to keep the internet free and open in the State of Illinois. The proposal, sponsored by Representative Ann Williams, responds to a 2017 decision by the Federal Communications Commission to erase net neutrality rules.  The legislation approved today requires any internet service provider doing business with the State to abide by net neutrality principles.

The following statement can be attributed to Khadine Bennett, Director of Advocacy and Intergovernmental Affairs, the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois:

"We congratulate Representative Williams, the bill’s sponsors and the Committee for moving this important protection forward to the full House for consideration. Net neutrality is vital to ensuring ensures the ability of all voices to have access and to be heard equally across the internet. If officials in Washington will not protect fundamental free speech on the internet, we believe this measure is the path to reinstate those protections. We look forward to moving this bill through the House and to the Senate."