ESILA Applauds Passage of Legislation to Ban Hidden Junk Fees

05. 20. 2026

  
SPRINGFIELD — Today, HB 228, legislation to make pricing more transparent and curb hidden junk fees in Illinois, passed the Illinois Senate by a vote of 46-12 . It will now head to Governor Pritzker’s desk. Economic Security Illinois Action worked for years to ban junk fees in Illinois.

The legislation targets mandatory fees tacked onto purchases that provide little to no value and are not disclosed to consumers upfront. These deceptive practices, often labeled “convenience” or “processing fees,” impact Illinoisans across a range of purchases, including booking a hotel or buying tickets to a live event. These charges lead to inflated costs for working families and prevent Illinoisans from fairly participating in our economy. 

“This bill’s passage is a major win for affordability and a check on corporate greed,” said ESILA Policy and Research Director Erion Malasi. “By getting rid of hidden junk fees, we are taking a step forward in restoring fairness and transparency to our marketplace. The premise of the law is simple: the price you see advertised is the price you pay. We applaud Leader Aquino and members of the General Assembly for stepping up for working families and look forward to seeing the governor sign this bill into law.” 

The legislation also protects small businesses. Junk fees privilege large corporations that use junk fees to appear less expensive by comparison. By requiring fair and transparent pricing from the start, Illinoisans will now be able to appropriately weigh their options without deceptive pricing strategies and choose products that are priced right for them. 

“In this affordability crisis, working families deserve honesty and transparency when they make purchases with their hard earned money,” said Leader Omar Aquino. “Hidden junk fees make it harder for Illinoisans to afford what they need and disproportionately impact our communities of colors. I’m proud to lead a bill that will check corporate greed and make it easier for our families to buy what they need.” 

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