Governor JB Pritzker says he’s looking forward to signing legislation banning so-called “junk fees.”
They’re extra charges that could be added to the price of an event, a hotel room, a meal, or an item bought on-line.
The Senate passed the legislation on Wednesday on a vote of 46-12. The house passed the legislation last month on a vote 77-18.
It was first introduced three years ago, with strong opposition from retailers and business organizations.
“We did make changes to this bill a significant number of times to balance out, to making sure that we have practices in this state that are fair, that are transparent, so that people - when they’re making this really important decision of how to spend their money - that it is done in a way where it is informed, they know what they’re paying for and there’s not any surprise charges coming after,” said Sen. Omar Aquino, a Chicago Democrat and the main sponsor in the Senate.
State Rep. Bob Morgan, a North Shore Democrat, told colleagues, “You all know junk fees because you’re paying for them on a daily basis. This bill delivers on a promise that is quite simple: The price that you see should be the price that you pay.”
Governor JB Pritzker said he will sign the legislation.
“Illinois consumers have been nickel-and-dimed out of thousands of dollars per year by unnecessary and deceptive junk fees,” the Governor said in a statement. “I am proud that the Illinois General Assembly has passed the Junk Fee Ban Act to put money back in the pockets of families and establish fair, honest pricing — from concert tickets to online shopping.”
