Hanson-Backed Bill to Improve Consumer Savings Passes

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As prices of everyday essentials continue to rise across the country, state Rep. Matt Hanson, D-Montgomery, is working to provide some immediate relief to Illinois customers by passing a new measure to ensure discounts offered by businesses are honored or easily accessible.

“Right now, every penny counts,” said Hanson. “There is nothing more frustrating than having a coupon or discount and not being able to access it for whatever reason. A lot of people plan their budget around coupons and we need businesses advertising price reductions to follow through. That’s what this bill ensures.”

Grocery stores, drug stores, and other businesses increasingly entice customers with advertised savings that require apps and digital coupons, which are often unreliable and require smartphone access. In some cases, customers have faced difficulty “clipping” advertised deals on the app, connectivity issues, or technological barriers.

In order to reduce these barriers to savings, Hanson co-sponsored and passed House Bill 45, which requires retailers to honor all advertised savings, even if customers cannot access their app or operate their digital coupons.

House Bill 45 now moves to the Senate.