Press Release

Economic Security Illinois Applauds Gov. Pritzker for Backing Hidden Junk Fees Ban in Budget Address

02. 18. 2026

Governor Highlights Affordability and Corporate Greed in Budget Address, Continues Investments in EITC and CTC

SPRINGFIELD, IL – In response to Governor JB Pritzker backing Economic Security Illinois’ proposal to ban hidden junk fees in a budget address focused on affordability and corporate greed, ESIL Director Sarah Saheb released the following statement:

“Illinois families are being squeezed by rising costs at every turn, and hidden junk fees only make it harder for working people to fairly participate in our economy and afford the basics. We applaud Governor Pritzker for taking on corporate greed and backing a proposal to ban these deceptive fees. This is exactly the kind of consumer protection working families need to make life more affordable.

“We’re also encouraged by the Governor’s broader commitment to an affordability agenda that includes continued investments in the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. These are proven tools that put thousands of dollars directly back in families’ pockets and help parents cover essentials like rent, groceries, childcare, and transportation. Together, cracking down on junk fees to fix our broken markets and investing in tax credits to fix broken incomes, ensures our economy works for everyone and helps working families thrive.”

Hidden Junk Fees: ESIL, through our affiliate Economic Security Project Action, has been working towards legislation to ban hidden junk fees in Illinois for years, most recently securing Senate passage in 2025. The bill targets mandatory fees tacked onto purchases that provide little to no value and are not disclosed to consumers upfront. These deceptive practices, often labeled “convenience” or “processing fees,” impact Illinoisans across a range of purchases, including buying tickets to a live event, booking a hotel, or ordering food via delivery apps. These charges lead to inflated costs for everyday consumers, with Consumer Reports estimating the average family of four loses approximately $3,200 a year on junk fees.

Child Tax Credit (CTC): Following a robust advocacy campaign from Economic Security Project Action and its partners, the state’s first-ever Child Tax Credit was created in the fiscal year 2025 state budget. The 2026 state budget delivered on a promise to scale up the program to a $600 credit with $100 million in funding, which is sustained in the 2027 budget proposal. Families at or below median income with at least one child age 12 and under are eligible for the program. This year, ESPA and its partners will pursue a fix to the CTC that ensures the lowest-income earners can receive the full credit.

Earned Income Credit (EIC): This year’s budget continues to invest in the state EIC. For most Illinoisans earning approximately $70,000 or less, this will put hundreds of additional dollars back in their pockets, with a maximum state credit of approximately $1,600 depending on income level and dependents. ESPA led a coalition in 2022 that successfully expanded the EIC to nearly 1 million Illinoisans who were previously ineligible due to age or immigration status and increased the credit for all eligible Illinoisans. All Illinoisans otherwise eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit are also eligible to receive this additional credit via the state.