Syed Joins Fellow Legislators, Ravinia Officials, Live Venue Representatives, at Press Conference Discussing Legislation Banning “Ghost Tickets”

CHICAGO — State Rep. Nabeela Syed, D-Palatine, joined legislative colleagues, as well as stakeholders from Ravinia and Chicago’s live venue community, at a press conference Monday at the Lyric Opera, to discuss her legislation aimed at banning “ghost tickets”—tickets sold by online scalpers who do not actually have the tickets they are selling. 

“This is an issue that, at the end of the day, comes down to simple fairness. When you buy a ticket, that should mean you have a ticket,” Syed said. “Not, ‘maybe.’ Not, ‘if you’re lucky.’ Not, ‘if the seller doesn’t run out.’  Sellers who lie about their inventory to make money before they know whether they can actually deliver have become far too common, and Illinois isn’t putting up with it anymore.”

Also known as speculative ticketing, ghost ticketing can lead to eventgoers taking time off at work, traveling to a different city and paying for lodging and meals—only to find out at the gate that their tickets don’t actually exist. 

Syed’s House Bill 4984 classifies the practice as unlawful under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and requires ticket sellers to have a ticket physically in their possession before offering it for resale. The bipartisan measure passed unanimously in the state House of Representatives April 15, and awaits consideration by the Senate.

“Fairness is important, but so are the economic activity and the cultural richness that concerts, plays, and other live events bring to our state and our communities,” Syed said. “So, this is also about ensuring a fair economy, protecting the culture and vibrancy of our communities and ensuring that people who come to visit those communities have a positive experience that makes them want to come back. I’m grateful for the support of stakeholders and advocates in moving this proposal along, and I’m looking forward to helping guide it through the Senate as well.”