Manley Highlights Consumer Protection Week, Introduces Bill to Promote Transparent Business Practices

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Following National Consumer Protection Week, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is highlighting legislation she recently introduced to protect consumers and promote transparent business practices.

“When grocery shopping at local supermarkets, many shoppers specifically choose which items to purchase based on what is on sale that week,” said Manley. “When it comes time to check-out, it can be difficult for consumers to keep up while following along with the total on the cashier’s screen, especially if the item is rung up at the normal price and the sale price or discount is applied at the end of the transaction.”

To protect consumers from overpaying for items at the grocery store, Manley recently introduced House Bill 2910. Manley’s measure would require grocery stores to display the discounted price of sale items on the cashier’s screen during check-out, rather than displaying the regular price with discounts being applied at the end of the transaction.

As National Consumer Protection Week comes to an end, Manley is also highlighting fraud prevention resources available through the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) consumer information portal at consumer.ftc.gov. Additionally, Manley is encouraging residents to regularly check their credit report by visiting annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228, as free credit reports are available from the three national credit reporting bureaus through April 2021.

“With the quick pace of supermarket check-outs coupled with the fact that many shoppers buy a multitude of products when grocery shopping, it can be difficult for consumers, especially seniors, to make sure they are not being overcharged for any items,” continued Manley. “This legislation will add transparency to the check-out process by giving shoppers a clearer picture of their total before they pay, while also eliminating the possibility of human error if the cashier has to manually enter a code to apply discounts.”