A bill that supporters say will protect rural auctioneers in Illinois was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.
State Sen. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, introduced Senate Bill 2351. It will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, and will require a licensed auctioneer to be involved in any online auctions, estate sales, and estate services in Illinois.
“Illinois must guarantee that all auction services are carried out by credible, licensed auction professionals. This law will protect our local auctioneers and give bidders peace of mind when they make their transactions,” Halpin said in a release.
State Rep. Dan Swanson, R-Alpha, sponsored the measure in the Illinois House. He said there have been issues with non-licensed, non-professionals coming into residences, setting up, and selling stuff out the door.
“I’m not a big regulation guy, but there’s no way to protect that family if something goes bad. This way, it protects the family with a licensed, professional auctioneer,” Swanson told TSPR.
He said professional auctioneers are insured and do advertising.
Swanson is not a professional auctioneer, but he did attend auctioneer school at the Kansas City stockyards in 1980. He called it a great experience, and he said he still uses his auctioneering skills at charity events.
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