Who is exempt from Illinois' 2027 hidden fee law?
Quick answer
Airlines are outside it. Broadband, cable, satellite and telecom providers that follow the FCC pricing rules, and Illinois-licensed financial institutions giving disclosures under listed laws such as Truth in Lending, are treated as compliant. Everyone else must include all mandatory fees in advertised prices from January 1, 2027 (815 ILCS 505/2MMMM(i)-(l)).
What does the law say? Key facts and official sources
| Item | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Start | January 1, 2027 (Public Act 104-0472, approved June 25, 2026) | ILGA bill status HB 228 |
| Rule | Unlawful to advertise, display or offer a price that does not include all mandatory fees or surcharges (2MMMM(b)); government taxes required by law are not mandatory fees | 815 ILCS 505/2MMMM (Public Act 104-0472) |
| Broadband, cable, satellite, telecom | Compliant if following 47 CFR 8.1(a) (broadband label), 47 CFR 76.310 (cable and satellite) or 47 CFR 64.2401 (telecom) (2MMMM(i)); transactions under 47 U.S.C. 552 (2MMMM(j)) | 815 ILCS 505/2MMMM (Public Act 104-0472) |
| Financial institutions | Compliant for transactions where they must give disclosures under 18 listed laws, e.g. Truth in Savings, Truth in Lending, RESPA (2MMMM(k)) | 815 ILCS 505/2MMMM (Public Act 104-0472) |
| Airlines | The Act does not apply to an air carrier providing air transportation (49 U.S.C. 41713) (2MMMM(l)) | 815 ILCS 505/2MMMM (Public Act 104-0472) |
| Penalty | Attorney General or State's Attorney: civil penalty up to $50,000, or up to $50,000 per violation with intent to defraud; plus up to $10,000 per violation against a person 65 or older (815 ILCS 505/7) | 815 ILCS 505/7 |
| Last verified | November 1, 2026 | Astor Ventures |
Are restaurants and hotels exempt?
No. Subsection (h) only lets food or beverage establishments, including hotels, show an automatic gratuity as a clearly disclosed percentage; all other mandatory fees must be in the price.
Are food delivery apps exempt?
No, but they have their own compliance path: show the delivery cost and fees per restaurant, all fees once items are selected, and an itemized subtotal before checkout (2MMMM(c)).
Is a bank exempt for everything?
No. The financial-institution rule covers transactions for which the institution must give disclosures under one of the listed laws (2MMMM(k)).
Want it done in an afternoon? The Illinois hidden fees (all-in price) kit gives you a checklist, a mandatory-fee worksheet, menu, price and automatic-gratuity wording and an all-in price audit spreadsheet, with the official text quoted. One-time payment of $49, instant download.
What else do people ask?
Can customers sue under this Section?
Subsection (m) says the private-action provision in Section 10a does not apply to violations of this Section; the Attorney General or a State's Attorney enforces it (Section 7).
What is the penalty?
Up to $50,000; up to $50,000 per violation with intent to defraud; plus up to $10,000 per violation against a person 65 or older.
Are sales taxes part of the price?
No. Government taxes or fees required by law are not mandatory fees (2MMMM(a)).
Is this legal advice?
No. General information only.
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