SBC

Southwestern Bell Company Communications (SBC), is a data, voice, and Internet service provider. It was the parent company of Ameritech, a Chicago-based telecommunications provider. A Fortune 27 company, SBC is a provider of high-speed DSL internet access services. SBC companies currently serve nearly 60 million access lines nationwide. The primary U.S. operating areas in 13 states cover about one-third of the U.S. population. In addition, SBC owns 60 percent of America's second largest wireless company -- Cingular Wireless -- which serves more than 21 million wireless customers. Internationally, SBC has telecommunications investments in 28 countries. SBC recently has agreed to acquire AT&T in a $16 billion that makes it the nation's largest communications company in the U.S.

In May 2003, the 93rd General Assembly passed the controversial Senate Bill 885 which forced the Illinois Commerce Commission to adjust the formula used to set wholesale rates in Illinois, allowing SBC to charge competitors substantially more for access to network loops. The measure passed and was signed by Governor Blagojevich only four days after being introduced to the General Assembly. However, on June 9th a federal judge ruled that Illinois lawmakers did not have the authority to set network rates for competition under federal law, which requires those decisions to be made without political inference by quasi-judicial bodies. SBC announced plans to fight the judges ruling but as of August 2003 no action had been taken.

Ameritech and Southwestern Bell Communications are career patrons of Senate President Emil Jones (D).

From January 1, 1993 through June 30, 2005, Ameritech and Southwestern Bell Communications gave $2,876,000 to candidates for Illinois statewide constitutional and legislative office, 53% of which was contributed to Republicans.

Last revised June 30, 2005.