By Sean Crawford, IL Public Radio
Springfield, Ill. – Illinois lawmakers are considering a plan that could provide competition for the cable TV industry.
AT&T and others want to deliver TV channels through phone lines. Supporters say the competition to cable will mean lower costs for consumers.
Cable has held a near monopoly in Illinois; often only one cable firm serves entire towns.
One survey found the average monthly bill has nearly doubled during the past decade.
Others worry certain areas of the state won't be as potentially profitable as others, and that the company might only focus service in more wealthy regions.
But at a time when the public is paying high prices for gas and electricity, many lawmakers indicated it was easy to vote for anything that could potentially save consumers' money.
It still needs approval of the Senate and the Governor.