Answer: The Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (815 ILCS 505/1 et. seq.) prohibits the charging of excessively high prices during a state-declared emergency or disaster. Upon a violation, the CCSAO may bring a lawsuit for a court order to enjoin or restrain the continuance of the alleged price gouging.
The Court may impose a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $50,000 against any person or business found to have engaged in price gouging or $50,000 per violation for more serious intentional violations. The Court may also impose, where appropriate, an order for a refund for any consumer victim.
