Illinois Statutes Chapter 220. Utilities § 5/21-1201. Multiple-unit dwellings; interference with holder prohibited

(a) Neither the owner of any multiple-unit residential dwelling nor an agent or representative nor an assignee, grantee, licensee, or similar holders of rights, including easements, in any multiple-unit residential dwelling (the “owner, agent or representative”) shall unreasonably interfere with the right of any tenant or lawful resident thereof to receive cable service or video service installation or maintenance from a holder of a State-issued authorization, or related service that includes, but is not limited to, voice service, Internet access or other broadband services (alone or in combination) provided over the holder's cable services or video services facilities; provided, however, the owner, agent, or representative may require just and reasonable compensation from the holder for its access to and use of such property to provide installation, operation, maintenance, or removal of such cable service or video service or related services. For purposes of this Section, “access to and use of such property” shall be provided in a nondiscriminatory manner to all cable and video providers offering or providing services at such property and includes common areas of such multiple-unit dwelling, inside wire in the individual unit of any tenant or lawful resident thereof that orders or receives such service and the right to use and connect to building infrastructure, including but not limited to existing cables, wiring, conduit or inner duct, to provide cable service or video service or related services. If there is a dispute regarding the just compensation for such access and use, the owner, agent, or representative shall obtain the payment of just compensation from the holder pursuant to the process and procedures applicable to an owner and franchisee in subsections (c), (d), and (e) of Section 11-42-11.1 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-42-11.1).

(b) Neither the owner of any multiple-unit residential dwelling nor an agent or representative shall ask, demand, or receive any additional payment, service, or gratuity in any form from any tenant or lawful resident thereof as a condition for permitting or cooperating with the installation of a cable service or video service or related services to the dwelling unit occupied by a tenant or resident requesting such service.

(c) Neither the owner of any multiple-unit residential dwelling nor an agent or representative shall penalize, charge, or surcharge a tenant or resident, forfeit or threaten to forfeit any right of such tenant or resident, or discriminate in any way against such tenant or resident who requests or receives cable service or video service or related services from a holder.

(d) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the owner of any multiple-unit residential dwelling nor an agent or representative from requiring that a holder's facilities conform to reasonable conditions necessary to protect safety, functioning, appearance, and value of premises or the convenience and safety of persons or property.

(e) The owner of any multiple-unit residential dwelling or an agent or representative may require a holder to agree to indemnify the owner, or his agents or representatives, for damages or from liability for damages caused by the installation, operation, maintenance, or removal of cable service or video service facilities.

(f) For purposes of this Section, “multiple-unit dwelling” or “such property” means a multiple dwelling unit building (such as an apartment building, condominium building, or cooperative) and any other centrally managed residential real estate development (such as a gated community, mobile home park, or garden apartment); provided however, that multiple-unit dwelling shall not include time share units, academic campuses and dormitories, military bases, hotels, rooming houses, prisons, jails, halfway houses, nursing homes or other assisted living facilities, and hospitals.