AAF-Northern Illinois has joined the Chicago Advertising Federation and the American Advertising Federation, to send a letter to all members of the Illinois House urging them to oppose SB 1883, a well-intentioned, but seriously flawed piece of legislation intended to protect consumer data and require reports of data breaches that pose a threat of identity theft or economic harm.

SB 1883 would create an overly-broad definition of personal information, including “consumer marketing information;” increase the regulatory burden on businesses; and require over-notification of data breaches, without a counterbalancing benefit to Illinois residents. The bill would require businesses send breach notices to Illinois consumers even when there is no risk of identity theft or economic harm.

In addition, many provisions of the bill go beyond or conflict with requirements of other states, putting an undue burden on companies seeking to do business in Illinois.

Click here to download the letter.