Bill > SB1380

This bill adds new sections to both the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code to establish guidelines for counties and municipalities to use utility poles and public rights-of-way owned by the state or local governments for public safety purposes. The bill defines technical terms from the National Electric Safety Code, such as "communications space" and "communication worker safety zone," and specifies that counties and municipalities may place public safety equipment on these utility poles, with important restrictions. Specifically, the equipment cannot interfere with electric distribution or transmission systems and must comply with existing safety codes. The bill allows state agencies or local governments to create permitting processes for such usage, and mandates that any fees charged for using utility poles or rights-of-way must be at the lowest possible rate and not exceed the owner's costs. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that counties and municipalities are not authorized to use property or infrastructure owned by public utilities, ensuring that only state or locally owned infrastructure can be utilized for these public safety purposes.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1380&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104