In Illinois, can a person acquiring a City Publications franchise waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In conformance with section 41 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act, any condition, stipulation or provision purporting to bind any person acquiring any franchise to waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other law of Illinois is void.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 39–129)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Publications's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, any condition, stipulation, or provision that attempts to bind a person acquiring a City Publications franchise to waive compliance with the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act or any other law of Illinois is void. This means that franchisees cannot legally waive their rights or protections under Illinois franchise law.
This provision is designed to protect franchisees in Illinois from being forced into unfair agreements that might strip them of their legal rights. It ensures that the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act remains enforceable, providing a level playing field between City Publications and its franchisees within the state.
Prospective City Publications franchisees in Illinois should be aware that any clause in the franchise agreement that appears to waive their rights under Illinois law is not enforceable. This protection helps to ensure that franchisees can rely on the legal protections afforded to them by the state, regardless of what the franchise agreement might otherwise state.