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Illinois Consumer Law Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Small Claims, Products Liability and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: Class action potential against IL dealership for consumer fraud?

I am a Missouri resident and purchased a used vehicle from Guaranteed Motor Cars in Palos Hills, IL, on July 26, 2025. After purchasing, dashboard warnings appeared during the drive home. Inspection by a Volvo dealership revealed undisclosed accident damage requiring $13,000 in repairs, which the... View More

Charles Candiano
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answered on Sep 23, 2025

The overwhelming majority of used cars are sold "as-is." The seller has no obligation to disclose any condition of the vehicle. The seller is not committing an illegal Act unless they take some affirmative action to prevent the buyer from identifying the problem. An example cited in... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Banking, Consumer Law and Identity Theft for Illinois on
Q: What steps can I take to recover stolen $400 from my bank?

I had $400 stolen from my bank account using an ATM at a Walgreens location 4 hours away from where I live. I've reported the theft to my bank, filed a police report, and contacted the FDIC. Despite being completely innocent and not authorizing the transaction, my bank is refusing to reimburse... View More

Matthew McKenna
Matthew McKenna
answered on Jul 24, 2025

Think about contacting a consumer protection attorney familiar with the Electronic Funds Transfer Act (EFTA). If there is a claim that falls under EFTA, there's a chance that an attorney would take the case without taking any un front fees. If you haven't done so, I would also complete a... View More

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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 Landlord - Tenant, Consumer Law and Real Estate Law for Illinois on
Q: Can I terminate my lease due to a violation of the no-pets clause?

I believe our landlord has violated our lease agreement, which clearly states "no pets." Despite this, a neighbor across the hall has two emotional support cats, and the situation is causing me significant allergy issues, including a fuzzy head, sneezing, and watery eyes. We were informed... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 3, 2025

You cannot terminate solely on the “no‑pets” clause, because assistance animals—including emotional support animals—are treated as reasonable accommodations under federal and Illinois law, not as pets.

Your allergies may themselves qualify as a disability, which triggers the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Identity Theft, Civil Litigation and Consumer Law for Illinois on
Q: What legal actions can I take for identity theft and fraudulent mortgage on my condominium?

I discovered that my condominium was fraudulently mortgaged, which led to an unauthorized loan modification involving myself and my husband. This was uncovered a month after it was listed on Zillow, and it has taken a year to gather documentation proving that it was fraud and identity theft. I want... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 26, 2025

You did the hard part by uncovering the fraud; now you act decisively to protect both title and identity. Pull your credit and freeze it with all three bureaus, complete or update an FTC Identity Theft Report and a police report, and assemble a precise timeline with certified copies of the forged... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Consumer Law for Illinois on
Q: Mistakenly listed as car loan buyer instead of co-signer, seeking options.

I recently discovered that I was listed as the buyer on a car loan contract, although I intended to be a co-signer due to my income limitations. I realized this after signing the contract. When I contacted the lender, I was informed that I could either refinance the loan or return the car. What... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 14, 2025

You intended to co‑sign, but the paperwork lists you as the buyer, which makes you the primary obligor; a true co‑signer serves as a surety only. Illinois law does not give you an automatic three‑day right to cancel dealership car purchases, and “returning the car” usually functions as a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Consumer Law for Illinois on
Q: Is importing cyclamate sweetener for personal use legal in the US?

I live in the US and would like to have a friend mail me a small personal amount of Canadian Sweet 'n Low, which contains cyclamate—a sweetener banned in the US. I'm concerned about possible legal penalties or enforcement issues related to importing a banned substance for personal use,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 10, 2025

It’s smart that you’re checking before having anything mailed, because even small amounts of banned food additives can create legal issues at the border. In the United States, **cyclamate** is still prohibited by the **Food and Drug Administration (FDA)** for use in foods, beverages, or as a... View More

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