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.
"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.
"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.
