SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Rachel Ventura introduced a new measure that would require car dealers to provide a vehicle history report to buyers with the purchase of any used car.

“Buyers deserve to know exactly what they’re getting when they make a purchase, especially for an investment as important as buying a vehicle,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “This legislation will ensure accountability and transparency in vehicle transactions, ensuring customers don’t end up surprised by serious defects or issues after they’ve already paid a significant amount of money for a new car.”

Senate Bill 2787 would require all licensed Illinois vehicle dealers to provide consumers with a same-day, VIN-specific vehicle history report for any used or pre-owned vehicle before purchase, ensuring transparency around title issues, odometer accuracy, recalls, accident history, and other key information.

Furthermore, to ensure complete protection for buyers from hidden defects and industry non-transparency, the measure would mandate customers to receive and acknowledge the report in a language they understand and imposes penalties, including fines, license suspension, and consumer compensation, for inaccurate mileage or vehicle history reporting. Dealers must also retain signed acknowledgments for audits, and failure to provide a history report can result in significant fines, strengthening consumer protection in the used-car market.

“I’ve been buying cars for a national dealership and one of the saddest parts is when I have to inform a customer that the vehicle there are selling to us, has major frame damage, rollback miles or other issues and we can only offer a fraction of what they paid,” said Will County Board Member Vince Logan. “When a dealer withholds a vehicle’s history, information they already possess, they are defrauding the consumer.”

Senate Bill 2787 currently awaits committee assignment.