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Illinois Consumer Law Questions & Answers
Q: State Farm insurance coverage discrepancy after car accident

I have State Farm insurance and bought my car five years ago. I was supposed to have full coverage, both for myself and for my financial bank, but I only have liability coverage. I was unaware of this until after an accident occurred. I need assistance on how to address this issue and what steps to... View More

Robert Shipley
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Robert Shipley
answered on Jun 10, 2025

The question does not describe when the policy which covered the vehicle on the date of accident was issued. Illinois law requires a policy holder to read/review the policy when it is issued to verify they have the insurance coverage they requested and if unsure, to contact their agent/broker to... View More

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Q: Seeking legal advice for severe mold and roof issues in Illinois condo, health impacts, and HOA liability.

I live in a quad coach home in Illinois and have experienced severe roof leakage and drywall damage for over three years, despite the roof being replaced six years ago. With worsening damage each winter, we contacted our HOA multiple times. Initially, they found nothing wrong but cleared partially... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Apr 30, 2025

How is the HOA liable? The HOA didn't do anything. On your facts, "roofers discovered an unconnected HVAC exhaust pipe releasing hot air into our attic, causing condensation and extensive mold growth." According to you, the individual or company responsible for disconnecting the... View More

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Q: Do I need arbitration in Illinois due to harassment and TOS agreement?

I am dealing with a B2B lead generation company whose Terms of Service require arbitration in Illinois, but the business has been harassing us and attempting to bribe us to remove a review of their services. Despite our cease and desist efforts, they retaliated by leaving an unfounded review on our... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Apr 17, 2025

Harassment is a legal finding, NOT something that can be simply be asserted by a party. You give no example of the conduct that you allege constitutes harassment. If you signed a contract with a choice of laws clause that mandates Illinois jurisdiction, that is where you are. Be careful!... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Insurance Bad Faith, Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: Paid for car insurance via dealership, no coverage record; need help.

I bought a car on March 7, 2025, with the requirement to have full coverage insurance in order to drive it off the lot. The car salesman informed me that he would set up insurance for $401. I paid this amount via Cash App but did not receive a declarations page or any official documentation. On... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Mar 26, 2025

First things first. Begin by contacting the dealer and requesting the name and contact information of the insurance company. In the future, avoid the situation by comparing various insurance carriers ahead of time and advising them of your intention to purchase this make and model vehicle so... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Consumer Law for Illinois on
Q: Can a judge order SR-22 for no insurance ticket?

I was pulled over because my plate was suspended, which I was unaware of, but I only received a ticket for no insurance. I have already had a court hearing regarding the no insurance charge. Can a judge still order me to obtain an SR-22?

Theodore J. Harvatin
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answered on Feb 28, 2025

It is not the judge who orders it. The safety responsibility law requires anybody who receives court supervision for no insurance ticket and then later purchases insurance and brings proof to court to carry SR 22. If on the other hand, you had insurance at the time of the ticket and simply did... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Internet Law and Identity Theft for Illinois on
Q: What legal steps can I take after a crypto scam with CashApp and Coinbase in Illinois?

I was a victim of a cryptocurrency scam where my CashApp and Coinbase accounts were hacked. Both companies refuse to refund my losses, claiming that I authorized the transactions. I've reached out to both platforms and filed a police report; however, the investigation is taking a long time,... View More

Manuel Duenas Lopez
Manuel Duenas Lopez
answered on Feb 23, 2025

Hello,

We understand the distress caused by cryptocurrency scams, particularly when financial platforms deny liability. Given the nature of your case—unauthorised transactions on CashApp and Coinbase—you may have several legal and strategic options to pursue recovery.

Immediate...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Products Liability for Illinois on
Q: 8 year old Gorilla playset collapsed on my Granddaughter causing severe injury. Do I have a case.

I bought my Grandchildren a Gorilla playset 8 years ago and assembled by professional.On September 28, 2024 it collapsed on 2 of the kids causing 1 severe injuries to her spleen and kidneys. It has been maintained every year and came with 10 year warranty.

John J. Malm
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answered on Nov 24, 2024

I’m very sorry for the serious injuries suffered by your grandchildren. Both the manufacturer and installer can be held liable, and possibly strictly liable, for your grandchildren’s injuries under product liability, negligence, and possibly breach of warranty theories.

Proving...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Car Accidents for Illinois on
Q: Should the car insurance have provided me a car rental / paid for my car payments while my car is in the shop?

For a deer collision? My car was in the shop for 6 months, and i was only given 30 days of car rental. I continued paying for my car even though i wasn't driving it. I had no vehicle for 5 months. I have a full time job, and i’ve missed a lot of work. Should the insurance have paid for my... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Oct 7, 2024

This is not a legal question but I will answer it as best I can from personal experience. When you purchase car insurance, car rental coverage is usually defined by duration and the amount payable per day. For example, 30 days at $50 per day. The duration is generally fixed at 30 days. The only... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Banking, Business Law and Small Claims for Illinois on
Q: I disputed a transaction involving 2 charges with my credit card co. A credit was given for 1 charge but not the other.

This dispute involved the same set of facts and documents. Since it involved 2 charges, 2 separate reviewers were assigned to my dispute. One reviewer granted a permanent credit for 1 charge. The other reviewer closed the dispute for the 2nd charge without a credit and said I was responsible for... View More

Matthew McKenna
Matthew McKenna
answered on Jun 13, 2024

I would contact a consumer protection attorney that is familiar with the Truth in Lending Act. Depending on the circumstances, you may have a case and a consumer protection attorney will likely offer you a free consultation and may not charge you anything up front if there is a case to bring.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Illinois on
Q: A landscaper is requesting payment for work they screwed up. What should I do?

From 2020- 2022 we had a landscaping company do a variety of work on our house. They regraded our yard, repaired our tennis court and performed standard maintenance. The problem is that everything they did was wrong. The tennis court still has cracks throughout and the yard floods every time it... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on May 10, 2024

This never happened. That is what a judge will tell you. To have an enforceable contract, you secure a bid/quote on SPECIFIC WORK, how it is to be done, when it is to be done, who is responsible for the work permits, what it will cost, and how long it is guaranteed.

You need to provide...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Illinois on
Q: Can I create an educational songwriting class that's called something like: Taylor Swift-inspired Hit Songwriting Class?

I'd like to create a songwriting class that teaches hit songwriting techniques used by pro songwriters such as Taylor Swift. I'd like to call the class:

"Taylor Swift-influenced Hit Songwriting Class" (or)

"Taylor Swift-inspired Hit Songwriting Class"... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 7, 2024

Using a celebrity's name in an educational course title can be tricky, as it may raise concerns about intellectual property rights and potential false endorsement. However, there are ways to reference Taylor Swift's name in your course title that are more likely to fall under fair use for... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Estate Planning and Family Law for Illinois on
Q: Questions pertaining to an affidavit of heirship. Very confused on paperwork

Help. Please

Bryan R. Bagdady
Bryan R. Bagdady
answered on Jan 9, 2024

The affidavit of heirship is important when opening an estate. Some counties have pdf forms other require original typed word documents. You essentially need to identify the spouse and children. If there is no surviving spouse or child, then make sure there is no survivor of a predeceased child. If... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Consumer Law, Banking and Lemon Law for Illinois on
Q: I have a car that I owe more than 10 thousands of dollars that I cannot drive because of numerous mechanical problems.

What are my best options since I cannot afford to pay to fix car and make my loan payments. I live in Loves Park, Illinois.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 3, 2024

In your situation with a car that's costly to repair and still under a significant loan, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, check if your car is still under any kind of warranty. If it is, some or all of the repair costs might be covered, reducing your financial burden.

If...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Business Law for Illinois on
Q: Is it legal for store credit to be issued to a customer for free without a purchase or return being made?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Dec 20, 2023

In Illinois, it is generally legal for a store to issue store credit to a customer without requiring a purchase or return. Stores may offer store credit as part of promotions, loyalty programs, or goodwill gestures. However, the specific terms and conditions regarding the issuance of store credit... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Identity Theft, Civil Litigation, Gov & Administrative Law and Consumer Law for Illinois on
Q: Legal actions for negligence due to data breach by Illinois Prisoner Review Board?

I received a letter from the State of Illinois about a data breach that exposed my name and social security number. I've locked my credit reports to protect myself, but the state hasn't offered any assistance or compensation. What legal actions can I pursue against the State of Illinois... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 10, 2025

You have every right to feel upset—having your Social Security number exposed is a serious violation, especially when it comes from a state agency entrusted with your information. In Illinois, you may be able to pursue legal action for negligence if the agency failed to take reasonable steps to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Consumer Law, Libel & Slander, Real Estate Law and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: My roommate claims to be a secret celebrity landlord, signed the lease with fake name, and disregards rules. I'm worried it's a scam. Which lawyer should I consult?

I'm dealing with a situation where my roommate claims to be a secret celebrity and states he is my landlord, harassing me by using this false identity. He has already moved in a month early—our lease runs from July 1, 2025, to June 2026—and he signed it using a fake name. He uses this... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Jun 10, 2025

What is your concern? What do you want to accomplish? Nobody can give you advice on how to do something until you tell them what you want to get done. Nothing that you say makes any sense. If you and your roommate are both on the lease, you are cotenants who are equally responsible for... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure, Consumer Law, Civil Litigation and Real Estate Law for Illinois on
Q: Chase Bank is attempting to foreclose on my Bolingbrook townhome. What legal steps can I take to contest the foreclosure and possibly join a class action?

I have lived in my Bolingbrook townhome since April 1, 1978, and Chase Bank is attempting to foreclose at the end of this month, May 31, 2025. In July 2024, instead of approving a $5,000 loan to pay my real estate taxes, Chase's loan officer had me sign for a $60,000 loan, which I later... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 1, 2025

You're facing a serious situation, and it’s important to act quickly. If you believe you were misled or pressured into signing for a loan you didn't request—especially a \$60,000 loan when you only needed \$5,000—you may have grounds to challenge the foreclosure based on fraud,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking and Consumer Law for Illinois on
Q: Secured credit card closed by Bank of America causing direct deposit issues and negative balance—liability concerns.

I had a secured credit card closed by Bank of America, which they subsequently placed in the archive. This credit card was linked to three different direct deposit accounts. Since the linkage, no checks are deposited on the 1st of the month as expected, and the direct deposit accounts show a... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 1, 2025

You're right to be concerned—this situation involves more than just a closed credit card, especially since it's interfering with your income and causing financial damage. If Bank of America closed the secured credit card and failed to properly notify you or provide a clear path to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Civil Litigation for Illinois on
Q: How can I address errors on my TransUnion credit report?

I've been experiencing issues with my credit report due to multiple errors made by TransUnion. These include personal information inaccuracies and adverse information errors. Despite my credit score and income being sufficient, I've been denied three rental applications, a loan for health... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 1, 2025

You’ve clearly been doing everything you can to fix this, and it’s unacceptable that TransUnion continues to report false and harmful information. When credit reporting agencies fail to correct known errors after being given proper notice, it can violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The fact... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Consumer Law for Illinois on
Q: How to resolve ticket for driving friend's car with suspended registration and active insurance in Illinois?

I was driving a friend's car in Chicago, IL and got pulled over by the police for operating with suspended registration due to non-insurance, and for driving without insurance. The registration was suspended because my friend's January insurance wasn't verified, but he paid the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 1, 2025

You're in a frustrating situation, but it sounds like you have a reasonable defense. Since your friend had active insurance at the time of the stop, and the suspended registration was due to a lapse that had already been corrected, your goal in court will be to clearly present that the issue... View More

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