Elected officials learn -- in Vegas

ELECTED OFFICIALS LEARN -- IN VEGAS
[SOURCE: Chicago Tribune 5/8, AUTHOR: Jeffrey Meitrodt and Monique Garcia]
With Illinois state lawmakers wrestling over a highly contentious bill that would dramatically overhaul the cable television business in the state, the industry took at least 11 state House and Senate members to Las Vegas last weekend for schmoozing and schooling. The Cable Television and Communications Association of Illinois is fighting AT&T over the way cable TV is regulated. Gary Mack, a spokesman for the Illinois cable group, said all 38 members of the two legislative committees that oversee cable television were invited to this year's annual conference of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association. The Illinois association offered to pay for airfare "and all your expenses related to this educational trip." "It's troubling that legislators would be off in Vegas with the cable industry at the same time we have major cable legislation on the table," said Cindi Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. A House ethics officer signed off on the trip but told lawmakers they would have to report it as a gift on their financial disclosure forms because the sponsor would likely spend more than $500 on airfare, meals and lodging.
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