Helping families avoid the cycle of debt that prevents them from building long-term financial security, the new law lowers post-judgment interest rates on consumer debt under $25,000 from 9% to 5%.
Illinois Code Chapter 815, 505/1 through 505/12 is commonly known as the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (“Act”). This is a law that is meant to protect consumers from businesses that engage in unfair methods of competition and unfair acts during the conduct of commerce or trade.
The Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (ICFA) prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of trade or commerce. Deceptive practices are actions that mislead or create a false impression, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
For example, in the construction industry, it is a trade practice to use certain specifications for the size, thickness, and quality of building materials. These specifications are commonly accepted and used by all businesses in the industry, ensuring consistency and quality in the final product.
The term “unfair trade practice” describes the use of deceptive, fraudulent, or unethical methods to gain business advantage or to cause injury to a consumer. Unfair trade practices are considered unlawful under the Consumer Protection Act.
The Act prohibits the use of unfair or deceptive acts or practices, including the use of deception, fraud, misrepresentation, and suppression of material facts. While the Act provides this general definition, it also contains a number of specific actions that are considered to be violations of the law.
A trade practice is a common way of conducting business within a particular industry. It refers to the methods and standards that are commonly used by businesses to produce and sell their products or services.
Some examples of unfair or deceptive trade practices include: Claiming a product is something it is not or performs a task it does not, or substituting an inferior product for the product advertised. Systematically overcharging for a product or service. Failing in good faith to settle insurance claims.