Latest news with #SenateBill314
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IL State Senator pushing ban of ‘bait-and-switch' gym membership sales tactic
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — An Illinois State Senator is pushing a proposal to stop gyms from altering benefits of a 'promised lifetime membership.' State Senator Christopher Belt said in a news conference he's highlighting legislation that would prevent gyms and fitness centers from cancelling or changing benefits of their promised lifetime memberships, otherwise known as a 'bait-and-switch' tactic. Illinois Supreme Court hears arguments over Sean Grayson's pretrial status 'This bill is about fairness, trust, and making sure that when a business offers a lifetime membership, it actually means lifetime membership — not one year, not until they decide to change the deal, but for the life of the customer,' Belt (D-Swansea) said. 'We're setting a fair and clear standard that responsible businesses are already following and that gym-goers deserve.' Senate Bill 314 requires physical fitness centers that offer these lifetime memberships to be upfront about any provisions in the contract that would allow them to decrease benefits or increase prices. Additionally, these terms have to be clearly disclosed, meaning no fine print or 'legal gymnastics.' This bill also includes commonsense exceptions — meaning if the customer agrees in writing to new terms, or if the gym is sold to an unaffiliated company, those are legitimate reasons to revisit the contract. Over 13% of Central Illinoisans are food insecure: EIF, Feeding America 'The days of bait-and-switch tactics of selling someone on a lifetime deal and then changing the rules a year later need to end,' Belt said. 'I urge my colleagues in the House to pass Senate Bill 314 and give our residents the protection they've asked for.' The bill passed the Senate and is currently awaiting consideration before the Illinois House. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
14-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Illinois state senator passes measure cracking down on gym membership scam
Illinois State Senator Chris Belt passed a measure cracking down on a common gym membership scam. The new measure stops gym and fitness centers from cancelling or changing benefits promised in a lifetime membership. That includes preventing gyms from changing prices or reducing benefits for any "lifetime membership" price they advertise, his office said in a press released. Senate Bill 314 passed the state senate Tuesday. It requires gyms to clearly disclose their intention when the contract is being signed. "What we are trying to do here is uphold a standard for consumers," said Belt. "Deceptive tactics looking to squeeze money from our residents will not be tolerated, no matter the industry." Sen. Belt is a Democrat who represents the Swansea area in southern Illinois, near St. Louis.
