HB4044 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)

CONSUMER RIGHT TO RETURN
Last Action
5/20/2026 - House: Passed Both Houses
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
815 ILCS 505/2HHHH new  
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice for a retail establishment to not accept the return of a product by a consumer or only offer store credit to the consumer in exchange for the return of a product if the consumer purchased the product at that retail establishment and the product is unopened and unused.

House Floor Amendment No. 1
Deletes reference to:
815 ILCS 505/2HHHH new  
Adds reference to:
New Act  
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Consumer Product Return Act. Provides that a retail mercantile establishment shall not limit the method of return or refund to the issuance of store credit when accepting the return of an unopened or unused consumer product from a consumer. Provides that a retail mercantile establishment may require a consumer to provide reasonable proof of purchase and may use any reasonable method to verify that the consumer purchased the unused or unopened consumer product before processing a return, refund, or exchange. Sets forth limitations and exceptions to the Act. Provides that a violation of the Act is a business offense with a fine not to exceed $25. Provides that a retail mercantile establishment shall not be fined in excess of $500 in a calendar year for violations of the Act. Allows a person to bring an action for injunctive relief to obtain compliance with the Act. Limits home rule. Effective July 1, 2027.
Actions
DateChamberAction
4/24/2025HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr.
4/29/2025HouseFirst Reading
4/29/2025HouseReferred to Rules Committee
2/17/2026HouseAssigned to Consumer Protection Committee
2/24/2026HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Theresa Mah
2/24/2026HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Consumer Protection Committee; 005-002-000
2/25/2026HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
3/02/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse
3/09/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias
4/07/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr.
4/07/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
4/08/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Consumer Protection Committee
4/10/2026HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
4/10/2026HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
4/14/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Consumer Protection Committee; 009-000-000
4/15/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y. Lilly
4/17/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted
4/17/2026HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
4/17/2026HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 101-000-000
4/21/2026SenateArrive in Senate
4/21/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading April 28, 2026
4/22/2026SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura
4/22/2026SenateFirst Reading
4/22/2026SenateReferred to Assignments
4/28/2026SenateAssigned to Judiciary
5/08/2026SenateRule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 15, 2026
5/13/2026SenateDo Pass Judiciary; 007-000-000
5/13/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 14, 2026
5/14/2026SenateSecond Reading
5/14/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026
5/20/2026SenateThird Reading - Passed; 056-002-000
5/20/2026HousePassed Both Houses
5/21/2026HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita