Illinois OKs end of landlines [telecom]

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Illinois OKs end of landlines, but FCC approval required

By Robert Channick

An AT&T-backed bill to end traditional landline phone service in Illinois is now the law of the land.

Overriding Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto, the General Assembly approved the telecom modernization bill on Saturday, enabling AT&T to disconnect its remaining 1.2 million landline customers statewide, pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission.

But holdouts may have some time before AT&T pulls the plug for good on its legacy telephone service.