Press Release

ESILA Legislation to Increase Pricing Transparency, Get Rid of Hidden Junk Fees Advances Out of Committee

03. 24. 2026

Springfield, IL — Today, HB 228, legislation to make pricing more transparent and curb hidden junk fees in Illinois, advanced out of the House Consumer Protection Committee. Economic Security Illinois Action has worked to ban junk fees in Illinois for years. In response to this latest development, ESILA Director Sarah Saheb released the following statement: 

“At a time when working people are already struggling with rising costs, hidden fees that appear at checkout make it even harder to budget and compare prices. From ticket purchases to hotel bookings and other everyday services, junk fees allow corporations to advertise one price and charge another, padding profits while working families pay more. Getting rid of junk fees and requiring companies to show the full price upfront is a simple, commonsense reform that will bring fairness to our marketplace and protect working families from corporate greed. We applaud lawmakers for moving this bill forward and urge the General Assembly to support this critical effort to control costs when it comes to the floor.”