Illinois Lemon Law Summary

• Eligibility: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles.
• Resolution Attempt: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Stuck outside the Bulls game because your car won’t work is not exactly what you had planned for winter in the Windy City. But if you have a lemon, those are the chances you will take. Luckily, Illinois has lemon laws set in place to help you get the right solution.

I consulted Gregory Moss, an attorney with Chicago law firm Krohn & Moss, Ltd., who gave me more insight on the basic characteristics of Illinois lemons and the proper steps to take in pursuing a case within the state.

Moss explained that an Illinois lemon must be covered by a warranty (not an extended warranty/service contract) and had serious issues with defects.

“It must have been brought back to a dealership at least three or more times for the same defective condition, or at least 8-10 times for various defects and the repairs were covered under the warranty,” he said.

Moss advised that hiring the right representation can prove very beneficial to the consumer.

“I believe what is important is that a consumer utilizes an attorney who has experience dealing with lemon law cases,” he said. “The law is more complicated than most consumers believe and the manufacturers may potentially hire large law firms to defend the case.”

Should you win your case, you have several options available to you.

“The benefits include a refund of your money, a replacement vehicle or cash compensation,” he said. 

For more information on your consumer rights, or how to pursue a lemon law case, you can contact Krohn & Moss, Ltd. at (312) 578-9428.