Illinois will require retailers to accept cash below USD 500
A new Illinois law bars businesses from refusing cash on most purchases under USD 500, bans cash surcharges and carries fines of up to USD 5,000 a year. It takes effect on 1 January 2028.
What changed
A new Illinois law bars businesses from refusing cash on most purchases under USD 500, bans cash surcharges and carries fines of up to USD 5,000 a year. It takes effect on 1 January 2028.
What changed
House Bill 4592, signed on 31 July 2026, prohibits refusing cash for purchases below USD 500, prohibits signage announcing a cashless policy, and prohibits charging a higher price for paying in cash than by other means. It reaches gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, retailers and self-service checkouts. Penalties escalate rather than starting high: up to USD 50 for a first violation, USD 100 for a second within twelve months, and USD 500 for the third and each one after, capped at USD 5,000 per calendar year. Illinois follows earlier cash-acceptance measures in Florida and New York.
What merchants must do
Illinois operators have until 1 January 2028 to reintroduce cash handling at any cashless site, remove cashless signage, and make sure no cash-versus-card price difference remains in POS pricing or in any surcharging rule. Self-checkout estates need particular attention, since the law names them explicitly.