Mulligan Legislation to Muzzle Telemarketers Signed Into Law

September 5, 2002

In an effort to provide relief to households across Illinois from irritating telemarketing calls, State Representative Rosemary Mulligan (R-Des Plaines) co-sponsored legislation this session to set up a “Restricted Call Registry” that was signed into law recently.

Senate Bill 1830 became Public Act 92-0795 recently, creating a law that sets up a “Restricted Call Registry” of people who do not want to receive telephone solicitation calls. It provides that no person or entity may make telephone solicitations to a residential number after that number has been on the Restricted Call Registry for 45 days. Violators could be fined up to $1,000 for the first offense and $2,500 for each additional offense.

“My office fields countless calls every week from constituents regarding the incessant telemarketing calls they receive at all hours. A ‘Do Not Call List’ is something that will provide those very people with some relief,” said Mulligan. “And with a $5 dollar registration fee for a five year period, this service will be well worth it for many households”.

Mulligan added that the law applies only to calls made with the intention of encouraging the purchase, rental or investment in property, goods or services, or for soliciting certain charitable contributions. Because of the nature of their businesses, Mulligan added that real estate and insurance firms still will be permitted to call the restricted registry under this law.