(430 ILCS 170/15)

Sec. 15. First informer broadcasters; training and certification.

(a) Any Statewide organization, or any member of a Statewide organization, that represents broadcasters, cable television communications, or any other provider that uses emerging technologies may establish a program for training and certifying broadcast engineers and technical personnel as first informer broadcasters. Each program established pursuant to this subsection must:

(i) be consistent with federal law and guidelines;

(ii) provide training and education concerning restoring, repairing and resupplying any facilities and equipment of a broadcaster in an area affected by an emergency or disaster; and

(iii) provide training and education concerning the personal safety of a first informer broadcaster in an area affected by an emergency or disaster.

(b) To the extent practicable and consistent with not endangering public safety or inhibiting recovery efforts, State and local governmental agencies shall allow a first informer broadcaster access to an area affected by an emergency or disaster for the purpose of restoring, repairing, or resupplying any facility or equipment critical to the ability of a broadcaster to acquire, produce, and transmit essential emergency or disaster-related public information programming, including, without limitation, repairing and maintaining transmitters and generators, and transporting fuel for generators.

(Source: P.A. 97-1155, eff. 1-25-13.)