Get Illinois Online

As most of you are aware, the COPE Act (HR 5252) emerged from committee without the hoped for Network Neutrality language proposed by Rep. Markey.

I highly recommend that you review materials at Save Access, and take the actions requested on their top node, today. Please also reach out through your networks, asking others to take action. Unless the legislation is significantly modified, fundamental Internet principles such as Anti-Discrimination or Network Neutrality will be cast aside. Community Access networks are likewise at stake. Local governments, where the public has the greatest hope for accountability will no longer be able assure full service coverage in their communities. Read up on the materials at Save Access Readings and other sources such as the Benton Foundation, Common Cause or Save the Internet Coalition.

COPE comes out of committee without the Network Neutrality language that we wanted. (Markey Amendment)

We should register our displeasure with Representatives Rush & Shimkus and thank Jan Schakowsky for her vote in favor of the Markey Ammendment.

It's time to set the right tone for the entire Illinois delegation.

We're going to keep score, but we won't write any of our legislators off for having taken this position, provided they see the light before it is too late.

Rep. Bobby Rush: No to Markey and Yes to the COPE Act. Call to opinion: 202-225-4372
Rep. John Shimkus: No to Markey and Yes to the COPE Act. Call to offer your opinion: 202-225-5271

Today Rep's Rush and Shimkus voted no on the Markey ammendment in committee. This is a disastrous position. Rush and Shimkus should get on the right side of these issues, and make public statement in support of having real teeth in Network Neutrality and Anti-Discrimination provisions.

Someone with guts and credibility needs to oppose Barton in the name of Illinois, the birthplace of the World Wide Web. COPE must now be stopped. It is a disgrace that Barton has advanced a Bill with the input of more than 100 person over the course of a year and did not hear the term Network Neutrality until the recent past few months.

Here are the sponsors of COPE (Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006) ... recognize any names?

Joe Barton (R, TX-06), Chairman of the House Commerce Committee
Fred Upton (R, MI-06), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
Dennis Hastert (R, IL-14), Speaker of the House
Bobby Rush (D, IL-01)
Chip Pickering (R-MS-03)

COPE will undermine Network Neutrality, the fundamental principle of the Internet.

Although Bobby Rush opposed these provisions, he stands behind the bill as a whole. Is this what we want for Illinois?