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Gift Cards Simplified.
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Illinois Gift Card Law

Last updated on January 18, 2011

Green Badge = Good Consumer Protection

Grade A or B

 Green Badge = Needs Improvement

Grade C or D

 Green Badge = Poor Consumer Protection

Grade F
D

What we like:

  • Post-sale fees not allowed
  • Only cards with an expiration date escheat to the State of Illinois after 5 years
  • Illinois has legally defined the notion of a gift card
  • Illinois has legally specified whether or not gift cards escheat to the state

What could be better:

  • Gift cards may expire 5 years from purchase date
  • Merchants are not required to give cash back
  • Illinois does not maintain a consumer-centric web page dedicated to gift card laws
NOTICE: ScripSmart attempts to make all information accurate. ScripSmart is only a guideline and does not provide definitive statements of the law. If you have questions about the law's application to a particular case, direct them to a specialist. If you believe this information is incorrect, please let us know.

The following types of gift cards are excluded form Illinois Gift Card Law:

Bank Cards, Cards with an expiration less than 31 days sold at a discount to employers or charitable organizations, Food Product Cards, Free loyalty/promotional cards

Good to know for Illinois residents:

Expiration laws do not apply to “Gift certificates that are sold below face value at a volume discount to employers or to nonprofit and charitable organizations for fund raising purposes if the expiration date on those gift certificates is not more than 30 days after the date of sale.”


Last change in Illinois State law took effect on January 1, 2008

Illinois Attorney General Information

Attorney General: Lisa Madigan (D)
Contact Form
Phone: (312) 814-3000
http://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/

Helpful Links: