Illinois Consumer Fraud Act penalties, deadlines and rules matter to anyone selling to Illinois customers, including owners who run the business from Canada or India. The overview page explains who the Act covers.
What the law requires
| Rule | In plain words | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Core rule | No deception, false promise or concealing a material fact meant to be relied on. The 12 practices of the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act count too. | 2 |
| Receipts | Only the last 4 card digits and no expiration date, with narrow exceptions. | 2NN |
| Gift certificates | Sold from January 1, 2008: no expiry sooner than 5 years after issue, no post-purchase fees, with exclusions. | 2SS |
| Reviews | A consumer contract may not waive the consumer's right to comment on the seller. | 2UUU |
Key numbers and dates for Illinois Consumer Fraud Act penalties
| Item | Amount or date | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Civil penalty, Attorney General or State's Attorney case | Up to $50,000 | Text as amended June 10, 2022 |
| With intent to defraud | Up to $50,000 per violation | Same |
| Victim aged 65 or older | Up to $10,000 more per violation | Same |
| Private damages suit | 3 years after accrual; paused during an Attorney General or State's Attorney case on the matter, plus 1 year | 2026 |
Source: 815 ILCS 505/7
Recent and pending changes
- August 21, 2026: P.A. 104-852, a revisory act stating no substantive change, took effect.
- Signed, not in force: P.A. 104-854 adds a Vehicle Code subsection to the Section 2Z list on January 1, 2027; P.A. 104-742 and P.A. 104-851 also start then.
The named checklist: the Fox River Honest-Offer Audit
- List every place customers see your offer: site, checkout, emails, receipts, contracts.
- Match each price, discount and promise to a record, and check displayed prices against the hidden-fee warning.
- Remove clauses that bar customer reviews or waive the Act.
- Keep dated copies of ads and terms for at least the 3-year suit window; see our record retention guide.
- Name one person to log complaints and route any Attorney General letter to your attorney.
Common mistakes
- Receipts showing more than the last 4 card digits.
- Gift cards that expire early or lose value to fees.
- "No review" clauses in consumer terms.
- Recurring shipments billed without express agreement (Section 2III).
When to bring in an attorney
- The Attorney General or a State's Attorney sends a demand, or a customer sues.
- You are drafting refund, gift-card, cancellation, review or auto-renewal terms.
- You sell into Illinois from abroad and are unsure how the Act reaches you.
How we can help
Our Aurora, Illinois area firm handles the U.S. tax, payroll and accounting side of an Illinois business, alongside your attorney, Canadian CPA or Indian CA, and gives no legal advice. See bookkeeping and accounting and business formation and registrations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum penalty?
Up to $50,000, or per violation with intent to defraud, plus up to $10,000 more per violation if the victim is 65 or older (Section 7).
How long does a customer have to sue?
Three years after accrual, paused during an Attorney General or State's Attorney case and for 1 year after (Section 10a).
Does the Act reach sellers outside the United States?
It reaches trade that directly or indirectly affects people in Illinois. How a court would apply it to one overseas seller is a legal question for your attorney.
Can a contract waive the Act?
No. Section 10c voids any waiver.
Official sources
- Illinois General Assembly: Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, 815 ILCS 505
- Illinois General Assembly: Public Act 104-472 (hidden and misleading fees)
- Illinois General Assembly: House Bill 228 status
- Illinois General Assembly: Public Act 104-854
- Illinois General Assembly: Public Act 104-852
This page summarizes public guidance in plain language. If anything here differs from the official source, the official source controls.