Plan to let government pull notices from newspapers rejected
An Illinois House committee Thursday rejected legislation that would strip the requirement that local governments have to publish certain legal notices in newspapers.
The proposal from state Rep. Joe Sosnowski, a Rockford Republican, would have allowed local governments that have websites to avoid publishing the notices in local newspapers if they posted them online instead.
He argues it's an important move to help local governments save money at a time when more people are using the Internet.
A House panel rejected the plan by a 5-6 vote. Suburban Reps. Sam Yingling of Grayslake and Deb Conroy of Villa Park, both Democrats, voted against it.
Illinois Press Association Director of Government Affairs Josh Sharp said newspapers are required to offer governments the lowest possible rate for the notices and the notices provide a public good by letting taxpayers know what officials are doing.
“We've helped control costs and even lower costs,” Sharp told the panel.
Sosnowski agreed with some members of the panel that a compromise might be worked out. He could alter the plan and try again later.
Republican state Rep. Margo McDermed, a Mokena Republican, said local governments strapped for cash shouldn't be required to pay for newspaper advertising if the same information can be presented online.