How do Illinois businesses show a price that depends on time, distance or options under the 2027 hidden fee law?
Quick answer
If the total cost of a service depends on the customer's choices, or on distance or time, an Illinois business complies from January 1, 2027 by clearly and conspicuously disclosing the factors that set the total price, any mandatory fees, and that the total may vary (815 ILCS 505/2MMMM(g)). Auctions follow a similar rule (2MMMM(f)).
What does the law say? Key facts and official sources
| Item | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Start date | January 1, 2027 (Public Act 104-0472) | Official source |
| General rule | Any advertised, displayed or offered price must include all mandatory fees or surcharges (2MMMM(b)) | Official source |
| Mandatory fee | Includes a fee that must be paid to buy the goods or services, is not reasonably avoidable, or that a person would reasonably expect to be included; excludes government taxes and fees required by law to be collected (2MMMM(a)) | Official source |
| Variable-price services | Total set by consumer selections and preferences, or related to distance or time: disclose clearly and conspicuously (i) the factors that determine the total price, (ii) any mandatory fees, (iii) that the total may vary (2MMMM(g)) | Official source |
| Auctions | Where consumers bid and the total cost is indeterminable: disclose clearly and conspicuously any mandatory fees and that the total cost may vary (2MMMM(f)) | Official source |
| Shipping | A reasonable postage or shipping fee actually incurred to ship goods is still allowed (2MMMM(d)) | Official source |
| Discounts | Offering a lower price than the advertised price is allowed (2MMMM(e)) | Official source |
| Penalty | Attorney General or State's Attorney may seek a civil penalty up to $50,000, or up to $50,000 per violation if the court finds intent to defraud, plus up to $10,000 per violation against a person 65 or older (815 ILCS 505/7(b), (c)) | Official source |
| Last verified | October 26, 2026 | Astor Ventures |
Which businesses can use the variable-price rule?
The text covers "a person offering services where the total cost of a service is determined by consumer selections and preferences, or where the total cost of the service relates to distance or time". It does not list industries. If your total really changes with the customer's options, the distance or the time, the three disclosures in 2MMMM(g) apply; otherwise the general all-in rule in 2MMMM(b) applies.
Do I still have to show mandatory fees?
Yes. Item (ii) of subsection (g) requires you to disclose any mandatory fees tied to the transaction. Subsection (g) changes how a variable total is shown; it does not let you hide a fixed fee.
Can I add shipping on top of the price?
Yes, a reasonable postage or shipping fee you actually incur to ship goods to the consumer (2MMMM(d)). Government taxes and fees that must be collected by law are also outside the mandatory-fee definition.
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What else do people ask?
Is there a private lawsuit?
Section 2MMMM(m) says Section 10a, the private action for actual damages, does not apply. Enforcement is by the Attorney General or a State's Attorney (815 ILCS 505/7).
Are airlines covered?
No. The Act does not apply to an air carrier providing air transportation (2MMMM(l)).
What about restaurants with an automatic tip?
They must disclose the percentage of any automatic and mandatory gratuity wherever pricing appears; all other mandatory fees go in the price (2MMMM(h)).
Is this legal advice?
No. General information only.
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