Automatic renewal law in Illinois

We read 815 ILCS 601 on the state's official site and list what it requires below. A summary leaves out detail; the linked text is the authority.

The key phrases, copied from the official text:

• “A consumer who accepts an automatic renewal or continuous service offer online must be allowed to terminate the automatic renewal or continuous service exclusively online” (815 ILCS 601/10(b-5))
• “where such contract term is a specified term of 12 months or more, and where such contract automatically renews for a specified term of more than one month unless the consumer cancels the contract” (815 ILCS 601/10(b))
• “Written notice shall be provided to the consumer no less than 30 days and no more than 60 days before the cancellation deadline pursuant to the automatic renewal offer terms.” (815 ILCS 601/10(b))
• “a mechanism for cancelling the contract, which shall be offered in a manner in which the consumer commonly interacts with the business” (815 ILCS 601/10(b)(ii))
• “not charge the consumer's credit or debit card or other payment mechanism for an automatic renewal service without first obtaining the consumer's consent” (815 ILCS 601/10(a)(ii))

The cancellation route differs by company; see Streaming services, News and magazine subscriptions, Gym memberships and Spotify for the details we hold.

1. 1

   Start with how you joined

   Find the email or contract that confirmed the subscription and note the next renewal date, so you know how much time you have.

2. 2

   Cancel the way the law allows

   If you signed up online, you must be able to cancel exclusively online, for example with a ready-made termination email or a cancellation link. Online sellers must also give a toll-free number, email, postal address (if they bill you directly) or another easy mechanism. Save the confirmation screen or email.

3. 3

   Put it in writing as well

   A short letter that names 815 ILCS 601 and the date you are cancelling from gives you a dated record. The letter template generator lays it out for you.

4. 4

   If you are billed again

   Reply with your proof and the citation, ask for a refund, and if that fails, dispute the charge with your bank. See what to do when a company keeps charging you.

Online cancellation is the quickest route where the law requires it. A mailed letter with a delivery record proves the date your notice arrived, and it is the route of last resort when an online or phone cancellation fails.

Which mail service proves what is set out in certified mail for cancellations.

The federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act requires online sellers using automatic renewals to provide simple mechanisms to stop recurring charges. The FTC's 2024 click-to-cancel amendments are not in force: on July 8, 2025 the Eighth Circuit vacated them (Custom Communications, Inc. v. FTC, No. 24-3137), on February 12, 2026, in a rule effective that day, the FTC recodified its Negative Option Rule "as it existed before the effective date" of the 2024 amendments (91 FR 6507), and on March 13, 2026 it asked for public comment on "the need for amendments" (91 FR 12318). Our state-by-state overview and the FTC click-to-cancel guide have the details.