Governor vetoes bill that would have ended AT&T landline requirements

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- Governor Bruce Rauner has vetoed a controversial bill regarding landline telephone service.

Senate bill 18-39 was going to end requirements for AT&T to supply traditional landlines to about 1.2 million Illinois customers.

Consumer Investigative Reporter Jason Knowles recently reported on why this could raise 911 reliability concerns.

Some experts say traditional landlines can more accurately pinpoint location during an emergency.

AT&T said the bill was going to allow them to improve on newer technologies such as VOIP landlines, which use the internet for telephone service.

On Friday, the Citizens Utility Board said the legislation would have hurt those who depend on landlines as a reliable link.

That bill would have also raised 911 fees for cell phones.