The Illinois Consumer Fraud Act, in plain English
Illinois's main law against deceptive selling reaches businesses of any size. Here are the enforcers, the penalty ceilings, the 3-year suit deadline and the small rules that trip owners up.
Prepared by Prem Tax and Accounting Corp. Last checked against official sources on October 29, 2026.
The Illinois Consumer Fraud Act (815 ILCS 505) is the chief Illinois statute against deceptive selling. The Attorney General, county State's Attorneys and people who suffer actual damage can enforce it. Our five-stop check is the Storefront Honesty Loop. The official text is on the Illinois General Assembly website.
- Any business that sells or advertises in Illinois is covered, at any size, with listed exemptions.
- Deception, false promises and concealment meant to be relied on are unlawful, even if no one was misled.
- Each of the 12 practices listed in the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act also counts here.
- The base civil penalty is up to $50,000, and private damage suits have a 3-year deadline.
Who it covers
| Group | Covered? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Businesses of any size | Yes | Individuals, partnerships, corporations and their staff. |
| Business victims | Protected | The Attorney General's position is that small businesses are protected just as consumers are. Business-versus-business suits are a case-law question we skip. |
| Regulated sellers | Sometimes exempt | Section 10b: dealings a regulator's laws specifically authorize (not products or services causing injury, death or property damage), plus other cases. |
The numbers
Illinois state rules, statewide.
| Item | Limit | Year or status |
|---|---|---|
| Civil penalty ceiling | Up to $50,000, court-imposed on request; per-violation figures in the chart | Text amended June 10, 2022 |
| Private damages suit by anyone with actual damage | 3 years after the claim arises, paused during related state cases | 2026 |
| Gift certificates sold on or after January 1, 2008 | Life of at least 5 years, with exclusions | 2026 |
| Sale of $25 or more at the buyer's home, seller present | 3 full business days to cancel, with exceptions | 2026 |
Source: 815 ILCS 505, Section 7
Our checklist
The Storefront Honesty Loop is our walk from window to filing cabinet.
- Window: can you back up every ad claim?
- Counter: receipts print at most the final 4 digits of the card number, with no expiration date, and narrow exceptions apply.
- Gift cards: 5-year life, no fees after sale; check the exclusions.
- Contract: no consumer clause waiving the right to speak about you or your goods.
- Filing cabinet: keep Social Security numbers off any card needed for services and off the outside of a file, with exceptions.
Mistakes people make
- Full card numbers or expiration dates on receipts.
- Gift cards that expire early or carry fees.
- Paying a phony invoice or renewal notice.
Call an attorney if a demand arrives from the Attorney General or a State's Attorney, or if someone sues you.
Common questions
Does the Act cover small businesses?
Yes. Any person in trade or commerce is covered, at any size.
Can a contract ban customer reviews?
Section 2UUU bars a consumer contract from waiving the consumer's right to make statements about the seller or its goods or services.
Does the Act set any tax rules?
No income-tax or payroll-tax rules. Section 2NNN does tie in the Tax Refund Anticipation Loan Reform Act, which can matter to tax preparers.
Official sources
- Illinois General Assembly: Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, 815 ILCS 505
- Illinois General Assembly: Section 10a, private actions
- Illinois General Assembly: Public Act 104-472, hidden and misleading fees
- Illinois General Assembly: Public Act 104-854
- Illinois Attorney General: Protecting Small Businesses flyer
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