In Illinois, can a person acquiring a Cicis franchise be bound to waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act?

According to Cicis's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, any attempt to bind a person acquiring a Cicis franchise to waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act is void. This protection is explicitly stated in conformance with Section 41 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act. This means that franchisees in Illinois cannot be forced to surrender their rights under the state's franchise laws.

This provision ensures that franchisees retain their legal rights and protections under Illinois law, preventing Cicis from including clauses in the franchise agreement that would force franchisees to waive their rights or compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act. This safeguards franchisees from potentially unfair or overreaching contractual terms.

Furthermore, any statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed by a Cicis franchisee at the start of the franchise relationship cannot waive claims under Illinois franchise law, including claims related to fraud in the inducement, or disclaim reliance on statements made by Cicis or its representatives. This protection supersedes any conflicting terms in any document executed in connection with the franchise, reinforcing the franchisee's rights and remedies under Illinois law.