Do Illinois hotels have to include resort and other mandatory fees in the room price from 2027?
Quick answer
Yes. From January 1, 2027, 815 ILCS 505/2MMMM(b) makes it unlawful to advertise, display or offer a price that leaves out any mandatory fee or surcharge: one that must be paid, is not reasonably avoidable or would reasonably be expected in the price. Hotels may show an automatic gratuity as a clearly disclosed percentage (subsection h), but all other mandatory fees must be in the price.
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) |
| Mandatory fee | Includes a fee that must be paid to buy the advertised goods or services, is not reasonably avoidable, or a person would reasonably expect to be included (2MMMM(a)) | 815 ILCS 505/2MMMM (Public Act 104-0472) |
| Hotels and auto-gratuity | A food or beverage service establishment, including a hotel, complies on automatic and mandatory gratuities by disclosing the percentage in every priced offer or ad; all other mandatory fees must be in the price (2MMMM(h)) | 815 ILCS 505/2MMMM (Public Act 104-0472) |
| Gratuities | Paid in excess of the required amount and received in full by employees, none retained by the business (2MMMM(a)) | 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 |
Can a hotel still charge for parking separately?
The test is whether the fee is mandatory. Parking a guest can decline is reasonably avoidable; a parking or "facility" charge every guest must pay fits the mandatory-fee definition and belongs in the room price.
Are hotel taxes included in the advertised price?
No. Taxes or fees imposed by a government entity and required by law to be collected from the consumer are not mandatory fees (2MMMM(a)).
Do online travel sites have to follow it too?
The rule applies to any "person" that advertises, displays or offers a price (2MMMM(b)). The only travel carve-out in the Section is for air carriers (2MMMM(l)).
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?
When does it start?
January 1, 2027.
What is the penalty?
Up to $50,000, or up to $50,000 per violation with intent to defraud (815 ILCS 505/7).
Can guests sue under this Section?
Subsection (m) says Section 10a, the private-action provision, does not apply to violations of this Section.
Is this legal advice?
No. General information only.
Related guides
← Illinois hidden fees (all-in price) kit · All guides · All kits