Telemarketing bill could restrict unwanted calls

Elizabeth Grimsley
News Reporter

The Illinois Legislature is considering a "No Call" bill that, if passed, will put an end to unwanted telephone solicitation.

State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville, introduced the legislation, which has already passed through the Illinois House Consumer Protection Committee.

The bill would allow Illinois residents to register their names in a "No Call" database maintained by the Secretary of State's office. Businesses that continue to call residents whose names appear in the database would face a fine of up to $5,000.

Students living in university-owned housing are also allowed to register their names, Hoffman said.

"Individuals would be allowed to register whatever number they are at," he said. "If they move, however, it is their responsibility to change the telephone number registered." This means students who move off campus for summer or change living spaces on campus would have to re-register to stay on the list.

The only businesses exempt from the bill are those offering long-distance service. Hoffman said companies offering a change in long-distance service providers would be allowed to contact individuals on the "No Call" list. These businesses are exempt because of regulations already placed on them by the Federal Trade Commission.

Hoffman said he feels there is no need for the roughly 21,000 people employed by telemarketing agencies to worry about job cuts.

"The bill narrows down the list of potential customers, so it's not going to hurt the industry. It's actually going to help them make more efficient use of their time," he said.

Likewise, Hoffman said, the $300 billion in revenue brought in annually by telemarketing agencies will not be affected.

"People who use services provided by telemarketers will keep their names on the list, so I don't feel that it is going to hurt the industry in any way to have people who are not interested put their names on the list," he said.

Telemarketing agencies would have to purchase the list in computer download or Internet transfer from the Secretary of State's office. The price has been discussed at $200 per year or $50 per quarter.

"The representatives of the telemarketing industry agree that this price is fair," Hoffman said.

If the bill is passed, Illinois residents will be able to register for free with the Secretary of State's office. Hoffman said he hopes Gov. George Ryan will sign the bill by the end of session in May.