Advertising and Retail Industries Battle Ill. Promo Legislation By Scott Hum

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. - Advertising and retailer organizations have succeeded in getting Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar to veto a bill heavily regu

At issue is House Bill 1687, the Illinois Prize Promotion and Sweepstakes Consumer Protection Act which sets a number of tough regulations for contests and sweepstakes in the state. For example, one provision of the bill mandates that TV and radio ads mentioning a sweepstakes would have to include a statement about purchase requirements and the name, address and phone number of the sponsor ‘at a decibel level equal to the highest decibel level used in the advertisement and at a speed equal to or slower than any other statement’ in the ad.
It also requires a 14-item consumer disclosure printed...