IL bill could require grocery stores with digital coupons to provide paper option for customers despite retailer concerns

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — An Illinois Senate Democrat has filed a bill to require grocery stores with digital coupons to have a paper option easily available for customers.

Sen. Willie Preston (D-Chicago) said his bill can improve affordability, fairness and protect seniors who don't use smartphones.

Grocery stores violating the requirement could face lawsuits and fines under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Although Preston stressed he does not want to ban digital coupons.

"We're simply saying if you advertise a discount to the public, that discount should be available to the public, not just those who own smartphones, download apps and navigate digital platforms well," Preston said.

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association strongly opposes this idea, arguing the plan would make digital-only offers noncompliant since they can't be printed by stores. IRMA leaders note the bill would raise grocery prices and reduce access to savings.

"San Diego enacted a similar paper coupon mandate," said IRMA Vice President of Government Affairs Alec Laird. "As a result, consumer practice goods cut back drastically on promotions, dropping from roughly 400 available discounts to about 30 in many locations. So, 92.5% of most digital promotions were just pulled."

Senate Bill 2737 passed out of the Senate Consumer Protection Committee on a partisan 5-3 vote. Preston said he is willing to bring the bill back to committee with amendments to try and gain support from Republicans and the business community.

MacArthur gets big win as Tishawn Clemmons breaks DPS scoring record

Rochester schools approve $2.2m in cuts, plan to close grade school

61-year-old motorcyclist dies after accident in Springfield