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Lawmakers aim at computer hoarding of concert tickets
By Kurt Erickson
kurt.erickson@lee.net
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SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois lawmakers took aim Friday at ticket resellers who’ve made it tough for some consumers to buy tickets to popular concerts and sporting events.

Triggered by last year’s outcry over the scarcity of available tickets to a concert tour by Hannah Montana, the House sent a message to companies that use software programs to defeat computer security systems in order to corner the market on tickets.

“This is someone cutting in line,” said state Rep. Karen May, D-Highland Park, who sponsored the legislation.

The proposal attempts to address online ticket sales, where professional ticket resellers snatch up large blocs of tickets in order to resell them at higher prices.

The practice already has generated numerous investigations, settlements and lawsuits, leaving some lawmakers skeptical that Illinois’ law will have any effect.

“I think it’s a good idea. I just don’t know if we’re going to stop all this,” said state Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville.

May acknowledged the legislation has its limits.

For now, it would rely on consumers to report suspected problems. And, it is unclear how violations from out-of-state resellers would be prosecuted, May said.

But, she said passage of the legislation will make it clear where the General Assembly stands on the issue.

If caught, resellers who use the software would be subject to a misdemeanor penalty.

The measure now heads to the Senate for further debate.

The legislation is House Bill 4791.

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Reader comments on this story - 4 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

pseudo-intellectual wrote on May 16, 2008 3:22 PM:

" One can only hope that by addressing something vastly less important than a dozen other issues I could mention, our state lawmakers can build on this small foundation and begin to resemble a functional government. "

The other Dave wrote on May 16, 2008 1:20 PM:

" Our state cannot pay any bills on time. But Thank God that our lawmakers are passing the Hanna Montana law. Especially since this law is impossible to enforce. Do we have the correct priorities? "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on May 16, 2008 12:46 PM:

" No worries, at least Blago got his tickets to Hannah Montana. "

The Real MRK wrote on May 16, 2008 12:32 PM:

" Good. Although I have no children, the Hannah Montana fiasco demonstrated that something is sickenly wrong in the world of online ticket sales. When Ticketmaster has a built-in way to resell your tickets for more than you paid for, something is wrong! At least someone's trying to do something about it. "
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