Is there anything better than a predicted snowstorm during NFL Wildcard Weekend? Telling me I can’t go anywhere while six playoff games are televised, what a shame…
I’d give you my picks but after Alabama’s national title flop last week, I’m feeling a little gun shy.
Committee Updates/Right to Repair
Another week of heavy committee work is on the horizon next week despite the cancellation of in person activities down here in Springfield.
This week’s Cybersecurity Committee, where a vote on Right to Repair was procedurally possible, was cancelled after last week’s marathon subject matter hearing. Friday afternoon, the committee was reposted with Right to Repair (HB 3061) and HB 3453 (more on this below). The votes to pass the bill don’t exist as of now but proponents are still pushing.
Behind the scenes there is a plan to split the single bill into three standalone bills: one for consumer electronics, one for heavy equipment and one for medical devices. I will let you know if anything new appears on this front.
The two Judiciary committees have nothing tech related posted. The trend is to send more tech related bills, especially those with a liability or privacy component, to judiciary committees.
Other Legislative Updates
HB 3453 (Williams) was recently assigned to the Cybersecurity Committee and was posted for next Thursday’s meeting. The Chamber opposes this legislation as it hinders development of new technology and the use of critical safety features.
For those of you that need a refresher, HB 3453 creates the Geolocation Privacy Protection Act. A private entity that owns, operates, or controls a location-based application on a user's device may not disclose geolocation information from a location-based application to a third party unless the private entity first receives the user's affirmative express consent after providing a specified notice to the user. A violation of the Act constitutes an unlawful practice for which the Attorney General may take appropriate action under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. It does not limit private rights of action.
Illinois Chamber Letter to Congressional Delegation: Oppose Flawed Antitrust Proposals
Earlier this week, the Illinois Chamber wrote a letter to the Illinois Congressional Delegation expressing concern about the economic consequences of recent federal antitrust legislation that targets the technology sector.
In part, the letter says the following:
Last year, a package of antitrust legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and in the U.S. Senate in a misguided attempt to improve competition in the U.S technology sector. Rather than advancing helpful competition standards, such proposals would actually force the breakup of leading American tech firms and undermine the digital products that these firms provide to businesses.
While we agree that it is important to have an open discussion regarding regulation and competition requirements, these proposals are unlikely to advance competition or benefit consumers. In fact, such bills could have far reaching adverse impacts, not only on the tech sector, but also on the local communities and businesses that thrive because they use digital products. The extent to which they do is immense and what is at risk is not only a landing page for such businesses but also digital solutions that enable small businesses to manage their operations, promote products, and connect with customers. These functions, often offered for free, would be undermined and impaired by the proposals.
Read the full letter here.
Webinar: Detection is Your Super Power!
On January 27th, the Illinois Chamber will host a security-focused webinar titled "Detection is your super power."
Protecting a network against a hacker used to mean that you had to be on your game 100%, but the hacker only needed to be right once to get in. With Detection, however, the tables are turned, and they’re on your territory. Detection becomes your advantage, as they have to avoid making any mistakes and all you have to do is watch and wait. Join Stel Valavanis, CEO of Onshore Security, to hear more about how Panoptic Cyberdefense gives us the super power to see all and stop bad actors in their tracks.
