Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation to Ban Junk Fees and Protect Consumers

CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined legislators and community members at Concord Music Hall to sign several bills that protect Illinois consumers. This includes banning junk fees, increasing transparency in ticket pricing and curtailing deceptive resale practices, and enacting greater oversight over ‘Buy-Now-Pay-Later’ lenders. These pieces of legislation will increase transparency for consumers and put money back in the pockets of working families by making fair, honest pricing the statewide standard.

“Illinois is saying goodbye to junk fees once and for all, addressing abuses in the ticketing marketplace, and fighting for greater oversight and consumer protections,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m proud to sign a slate of bills that cuts costs for working families while advancing transparency, fairness, and accountability on behalf of Illinoisans.”

“Families deserve to know exactly what they’re paying before they click ‘buy,’” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “Hidden fees make it harder for everyone to enjoy concerts, sporting events, and cultural experiences. These new laws bring greater transparency and fairness to the ticket-buying process, helping working families keep more money in their pockets and ensuring businesses are upfront about costs from the start.”

“Illinois consumers deserve the ability to unambiguously compare prices on goods and services, especially as costs continue to rise. They should not be blindsided by unexpected add-on fees after deciding to make a purchase,” said General Kwame Raoul. “This clarification of to the Consumer Fraud Act creates an even playing field for everyone, consumers and businesses alike. I would like to thank the sponsors for their patience as we worked to make sure we got this important consumer protection measure right.”

Governor Pritzker signed the following measures into law:

With this suite of legislation, Governor Pritzker is delivering on his promise to protect Illinois families from being nickel-and-dimed by ticket sellers, large tech companies, and more — putting control back in the hands of consumers.

Banning Surprise Junk Fees:

Part of Governor Pritzker’s Affordability Agenda, HB 228 puts an end to deceptive junk fees — surprise charges that are hidden from customers until the final stage of a purchase. This legislation makes it unlawful for any business to advertise, display, or offer a price for products or services that does not include all mandatory fees or surcharges before taxes.

HB 228 will demand an added layer of transparency on behalf of consumers, protecting Illinoisans from hidden and misleading costs.

HB 228 ensures what you see is what you pay:

“While the federal government is slashing funds for critical programs like SNAP and Medicaid, Illinois is stepping up to make life more affordable for our residents,” said State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago). “As the rising cost of living forces families to stretch their budgets even further, transparency is necessary to empower residents to make informed financial decisions that protect their hard-earned dollars.”

“Today is a major victory for Illinois families who deserve transparency when they spend their hard-earned money,” said Erion Malasi, Policy and Research Director at Economic Security Illinois Action. “For years, ESILA has worked to expose how hidden junk fees drive up costs and undermine trust in the marketplace. Thanks to Governor Pritzker’s signature, Illinois consumers will now know that the price they see is the price they pay.”

“At Riot Fest and Concord Music Hall, we've always believed fans deserve a fair and transparent ticket-buying experience. These new protections help ensure people know exactly what they're paying for and give real fans a better chance to get tickets,” said Riot Fest Co-Founder Mike “Riot Mike” Petryshyn. “We appreciate Governor Pritzker, Senator Omar Aquino, and the Illinois General Assembly for taking meaningful steps that put fans first.”

Demanding Honesty from Ticket Resellers:

HB 4984 bans so-called “ghost ticketing” by prohibiting resellers from offering tickets that they do not have in their physical or contractual possession. This measure will ensure hardworking Illinoisans are not left empty-handed after paying for tickets from a reseller.

“Too often, consumers are left second-guessing whether an online ticket purchase is legitimate or just another form of deception in a crowded resale market,” said State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This law targets those abuses directly, discourages inflated pricing schemes, and strengthens oversight so the marketplace works more reliably for fans.”

“Ravinia is thrilled to see HB 4984 signed into law, marking a critical step toward protecting music lovers and ensuring a fair, transparent ticketing experience. This is a historic moment for Illinois consumers and the entire live entertainment industry,” said Ravinia President & CEO Jeffrey P. Haydon. “The unanimous support the bill received in both the Illinois House and Senate sends a powerful message that our state stands united in protecting fans, supporting the arts, and preserving the integrity of live performance.”

Helping YOU Buy Tickets, Not Bots:

SB 318 bans people from using bots to buy tickets in excess of posted purchase limits from an online sale. This legislation will prevent bots from monopolizing tickets, cutting online purchasing queues, driving up prices, and usurping real people in the ticket-buying process.

“Ticket buyers shouldn’t be pushed to the back of the line by automated bots or deceptive practices that undermine posted purchase limits and increase prices,” said State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This law will bring greater accountability to the online ticket marketplace and strengthen protections so consumers can access tickets under fair and transparent conditions.”

“By shutting down the bots that buy up entire shows only to resell them at prices families can't afford, we’re putting Illinois consumers first,” said State Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine). “But this is also about the small, independent venues that are the heartbeat of our communities. When scalpers and bots hollow out a sold-out show, those venues lose the ticket sales, the concessions, and the local revenue they depend on to keep their doors open. By protecting both the people who love live events and the businesses that make them possible, we're standing up for fairness in our local economies.”

“Blue dot fever afflicts all of us, but our independent venues the most,” said Daniel La Spata, Alderman of Chicago’s 1st Ward. “The legislation being signed today is the cure.”

Protecting Consumers in ‘Buy-Now-Pay-Later’ Loans:

SB 3561 creates the ‘Buy-Now-Pay Later’ Loan Regulation Act, making it unlawful for someone to act as a buy-now-pay-later lender without registering with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), adding a layer of oversight for Illinoisans seeking loans.

“Without oversight, these products operate like high‑cost lenders dressed up as modern financial tools,” saidIDFPR Secretary Mario Treto, Jr. “Consumers deserve clear, honest information, and that’s why strong protections matter.”

“Times are tough for a lot of people, with rising costs for just about anything consumers might want to buy,” State Rep. Robert “Bob” Rita (D-Blue Island). “Like any other form of credit, buy-now-pay-later options need sensible, balanced regulation, and the Buy-Now-Pay-Later Loan Regulation Act will better protect consumers while maintaining this flexible and convenient option at checkout. I’m grateful to Governor Pritzker for standing up for Illinois consumers.”

“The lack of oversight on this industry has led to real consumer risk,” said State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort). “For too long, these types of companies have been able to operate unregulated in the state of Illinois. Those days are over. We’ve seen loan stacking, where consumers have taken out multiple loans from different programs at the same time. We’ve also seen consumers approved for loans when they clearly are not in a position to pay that loan back, leading to all sorts of fees that stack up and trap families in debt. This law protects Illinois consumers by requiring Buy-Now-Pay-Later programs to disclose all terms, rates, and fees that may apply, empowering families to make more informed financial decisions.”

Through his Affordability Agenda, Governor Pritzker is working to make every part of life in Illinois more attainable and accessible — from finding a home and receiving an education to attending a concert and watching your favorite sports team. Illinois offers all forms of live entertainment, and these pieces of legislation will empower residents and visitors to enjoy music, comedy, sports, and more with commonsense consumer protections in place.

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