Stopping Robocalls in Illinois
I keep getting robocalls — here's what Illinois law says and what to do next.
Statute: 815 ILCS 305 (Illinois Automatic Telephone Dialers Act); 815 ILCS 413 (Illinois Robocall Protection Act)
Deadline: 1460 days
Penalty: violations may result in actual damages, statutory penalties, and attorney fees. Illinois prohibits automated telephone calls without prior consent and provides additional state-level enforcement
What is stopping robocalls?
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is the primary federal law protecting you from unwanted robocalls, spam texts, and telemarketing calls. Under the TCPA, companies generally cannot call or text you using an autodialer or prerecorded voice without your prior express consent.
You have the right to put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry, which blocks most telemarketing calls. Violators face penalties of $500 to $1,500 per illegal call or text — and you can sue them directly in federal court.
What to Do If You Keep Getting Robocalls and Spam Calls
Step 1: Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. Registration is free and permanent.
Step 2: When you receive an unwanted call, do not press any buttons or engage with the caller. Hang up. Pressing buttons to "opt out" may confirm your number is active and lead to more calls.
Step 3: Document every unwanted call or text. Note the date, time, phone number displayed, company name (if given), and whether a prerecorded message was used. Screenshot spam texts.
Step 4: File complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and with the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov. Complaints help regulators identify and shut down major violators.
Step 5: Consider suing under the TCPA. You can recover $500 per violation ($1,500 for willful violations) in federal court. Many TCPA attorneys work on contingency. For a pattern of calls, damages add up quickly.
How Illinois differs from federal law
Illinois restricts automated calls and telemarketing with state-level enforcement:
- Illinois Telephone Solicitation Prohibition Act (815 ILCS 413): Prohibits unsolicited telephone solicitations using automated dialing systems or prerecorded messages without prior consent. Violations carry penalties enforced by the Illinois AG.
- Caller ID spoofing: Illinois law prohibits the transmission of misleading or inaccurate caller identification information with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value.
- Private right of action: Consumers can bring private lawsuits for violations of the Telephone Solicitation Prohibition Act and recover actual damages or statutory damages.
- Illinois AG enforcement: The Illinois Attorney General actively pursues telemarketing fraud cases and has authority to seek civil penalties, injunctions, and restitution for consumers.
- Do Not Call coordination: Illinois works with the federal Do Not Call Registry. Consumers who register on the federal DNC list are protected under both state and federal law.
Additional steps in Illinois
Register on the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov. File robocall complaints with the Illinois Attorney General at (800) 386-5438 or illinoisattorneygeneral.gov. File federal complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or call (888) 382-1222.
What you should NOT do
Don't engage with suspicious callers. Don't confirm your name, press buttons, or say "yes" to unknown callers. Scammers may record your voice or use your responses to authorize fraudulent charges.
Don't give out your number unnecessarily. Every online form, loyalty program, and contest entry is a potential source of telemarketing calls. Read the fine print on consent disclosures.
Don't assume "spoofed" numbers mean you can't take action. Even if the caller ID is fake, the TCPA violation still occurred. Regulators and attorneys can trace the actual caller through subpoenas to phone carriers.
Don't pay for robocall blocking services when free options exist. Most major carriers offer free call-blocking tools (T-Mobile Scam Shield, AT&T Call Protect, Verizon Call Filter). Your phone's built-in settings can also silence unknown callers.
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Generate your tcpa complaint →This page is general legal information for Illinois, not legal advice for your specific situation. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on facts we don't know. For advice on your matter, consult a licensed attorney in Illinois.