What consent is required for Cold Calling in Illinois?

Illinois has a mini-TCPA (815 ILCS 413/ (Restricted Call Registry Act)) that imposes stricter consent rules than federal TCPA. Prior express written consent is generally required.

What are the calling hour restrictions in Illinois?

Illinois restricts telemarketing calls to 08:00:00–21:00:00 local time.

What is the penalty per violation in Illinois?

Up to $50,000 per violation (or $50,000 for willful violations). Private right of action available.

Is registration required to telemarket in Illinois?

Yes — Illinois requires telemarketer registration before placing calls.

Home / States / Illinois

Illinois Telecom Compliance Guide

Telecom Compliance Reference — Updated January 2024

Mini-TCPA State — High Risk

Calling Hours

8:00 AM–9:00 PM

Min Penalty

$50,000

Registration

Required

Overview Calling Hours Consent Registration DNC Compliance DNC Registry Enforcement Case Law Legislation

Illinois Cold Calling Compliance

Voice call compliance rules for outbound telemarketing in Illinois

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Mini-TCPA State — 815 ILCS 413/ (Restricted Call Registry Act)

Illinois has enacted a state-level TCPA that goes beyond federal requirements. Federal compliance alone is not enough for Cold Calling operations here.

Consent Requirements

Consent LevelPrior Express

ATDS DefinitionBroader than federal

Checkbox ConsentNot sufficient

Statute815 ILCS 305/; 815 ILCS 402/; 720 ILCS 5/17-52

Manual voice calls to non-DNC numbers require prior express consent. MUST register with IL AG and post $25,000 bond. Scrub against BOTH Illinois Restricted Call Registry AND federal DNC. Calling hours 8 AM to 9 PM. Must identify yourself, company, and purpose. Illinois layers multiple statutes: ITSA (civil), RCRA (DNC + private action), ICFA (consumer fraud), and criminal automated calling statute. The aggregate liability per unauthorized call in Illinois is among the highest in the nation.

Full consent requirements for all channels →

Calling Rules

Calling Hours8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

RegistrationRequired

Penalty / Violation$50,000

Willful Violation$50,000

Private Right of ActionYES

Cold Calling Compliance Checklist

01Verify calling hours in recipient's local timezone

02Scrub against National DNC Registry (every 31 days minimum)

03Scrub against state DNC list if applicable

04Maintain internal opt-out/DNC list

05Identify yourself and your company at start of call

06Provide contact information on request

07Honor opt-out requests immediately

08Ensure consent if using ATDS or prerecorded messages

09Register as telemarketer if state requires

10Document all consent and opt-out records

This checklist covers common requirements. State-specific rules may vary. Confirm with legal counsel for high-volume campaigns.

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This is a compliance reference tool, not legal advice. Data compiled from public statutes, LegiScan, CourtListener, state AG offices, and AI-assisted analysis. Verify all information with qualified counsel before relying on it. Full terms & data sources →