SPRINGFIELD – We’ve all been there: at work, hanging out with the family or trying to relax when you get a call from an unknown number trying to sell you a product. State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is working to put an end to these automatic sales calls – in turn providing consumers with greater peace and protection.

“Our cellphones are meant to connect us with friends and family to conduct business but they’re slowly being turned into relentless advertising channels we didn’t sign up for,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “We’re going to put control back in the hands of consumers by protecting them from unwanted and intrusive automatic sales calls.”

Under House Bill 2435, companies could not use automatic dialing to sell Illinoisans goods and services unless the person expressly consented to be contacted in that manner. People across the country receive about 50 billion robocalls a year, with a less than 2% success rate – signaling a desire from residents to no longer receive the calls.

“An unwanted sales call during our rare times of privacy is no different than someone knocking on the door to sell you something while you’re having dinner with your kids,” said Sims. “This is a basic consumer protection bill.”

House Bill 2435 passed the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee.