Illinois House passes bill cracking down on gym lifetime membership scams

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State representatives passed a bill Wednesday to crack down on gym membership scams.

Gyms across the state offer lifetime memberships, but sponsors said some contracts have provisions in fine print that either decrease benefits or increase costs as time goes by.

This plan states that gyms cannot advertise lifetime memberships, as members need to renew their contract annually. It also requires gyms to display contract changes clearly instead of using fine print.

"You have to let someone know during that annual renewal if the rates are changing or if the services are changing," said Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan). "Finally, if an individual requests a copy of their contract year two, three or four, you have to give them a copy of the contract."

Senate Bill 314 passed out of the House on a 77-36 vote. It now moves back to the Senate on concurrence due to an amendment.

Senators approved the original bill language on a 51-4 vote earlier this month.

"We all know the feeling of being swamped by memberships and subscriptions, the last thing we need is a price hike on what was a promised rate," said Sen. Christopher Belt (D-East St. Louis). "This legislation makes sure gyms and fitness centers are honest with their members."