(15 ILCS 323/1)

Sec. 1.

Short title.

This Act may be cited as the

Accessible Electronic Information Act.

(Source: P.A. 93‑797, eff. 7‑22‑04.)15 ILCS 323/10

(15 ILCS 323/10)

Sec. 10.

Definitions.

As used in this Act:

"Accessible electronic information service" means news and other timely information (including newspapers) provided to eligible individuals from a multi‑state service center, using high‑speed computers and telecommunications technology for interstate acquisition of content and rapid distribution in a form appropriate for use by such individuals.

"Blind and disabled persons" means those individuals who are eligible for library loan services through the Library of Congress and the State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped pursuant to 36 CFR 701.10(b).

"Director" means the State Librarian.

"Qualified entity" means an agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision of the State or a nonprofit organization that:

(1) provides interstate access for eligible persons

to read daily newspapers by producing audio editions by computer; and

(2) provides a means of program administration and

reader registration on the Internet.

(Source: P.A. 93‑797, eff. 7‑22‑04.)15 ILCS 323/15

(15 ILCS 323/15)

Sec. 15.

Accessible electronic information service program.

The Director by rule shall develop and implement a program of grants to qualified entities for the provision of accessible electronic information service to blind and disabled persons throughout Illinois. The grants shall be funded through appropriations from the Accessible Electronic Information Service Fund established in Section 20.

(Source: P.A. 93‑797, eff. 7‑22‑04.)15 ILCS 323/20

(15 ILCS 323/20)

Sec. 20.

Accessible Electronic Information Service Fund.

(a) Before July 1 of each year, the Illinois Commerce Commission, in consultation with the Director, shall determine the amount of funding necessary to support the program described in Section 15 during the next fiscal year and shall certify that amount to the State Treasurer.

(b) Each month, the State Treasurer shall transfer 1/12th of the amount determined under subsection (a) from the Digital Divide Elimination Infrastructure Fund into the Accessible Electronic Information Service Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury that may be appropriated only for the purposes of this Act. If moneys in the Digital Divide Elimination Infrastructure Fund are insufficient to meet the transfer requirements of this subsection, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall direct the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation, or its successor, to remit the amount of any insufficiency to the Director for deposit into the Accessible Electronic Information Service Fund from surcharges collected by the Corporation, or its successor, under Section 13‑703 of the Public Utilities Act.

(Source: P.A. 93‑797, eff. 7‑22‑04.)15 ILCS 323/5

(15 ILCS 323/5)

Sec. 5.

Legislative findings.

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) Thousands of citizens in this State have disabilities (including blindness or visual impairment) that prevent them from using conventional print material.

(b) The State fulfills an important responsibility by providing books and magazines prepared in Braille, audio, and large‑type formats made available to eligible blind and disabled persons.

(c) The technology, transcription methods, and means of distribution used for these materials are labor‑intensive and cannot support rapid dissemination to individuals in rural and urban areas throughout the State.

(d) Lack of direct and prompt access to information included in newspapers, magazines, newsletters, schedules, announcements, and other time‑sensitive materials limits educational opportunities, literacy, and full participation in society by blind and disabled persons.

(Source: P.A. 93‑797, eff. 7‑22‑04.)15 ILCS 323/90

(15 ILCS 323/90)

Sec. 90.

(Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 93‑797, eff. 7‑22‑04; text omitted.)15 ILCS 323/95

(15 ILCS 323/95)

Sec. 95.

(Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 93‑797, eff. 7‑22‑04; text omitted.)15 ILCS 323/99

(15 ILCS 323/99)

Sec. 99.

Effective date.

This Act takes effect upon becoming law.

(Source: P.A. 93‑797, eff. 7‑22‑04.)