Illinois Statutes Chapter 50. Local Government § 345/20. Election by local governmental entities to accept credit cards

(a) The decision whether to accept credit card payments for any particular type of obligation shall be made by the governing body of the local governmental entity that has general discretionary authority over the manner of acceptance of payments. The governing body may adopt reasonable rules governing the manner of acceptance of payments by credit card. Except as provided in subsection (b) of Section 20-25 of the Property Tax Code, no decision to accept credit card payments under this Act shall be made until the governing body has determined, following a public hearing held not sooner than 10 nor later than 30 days following public notice of the hearing, that the acceptance of credit card payments for the types of authorized obligations specified in the public notice is in the best interests of the citizens and governmental administration of the local governmental entity or community college and of the students and taxpayers thereof.

(b) The governing body of the entity accepting payment by credit card may enter into agreements with one or more financial institutions or other service providers to facilitate the acceptance and processing of credit card payments. Such agreements shall identify the specific services to be provided, an itemized list of the fees charged, and the means by which each such fee shall be paid. Such agreements may include a discount fee to cover the costs of interchange, assessments and authorizations, a per item processing fee for the service provider, and any other fee, including a payment of a surcharge or convenience fee, that may be applicable to specific circumstances. Any agreement for acceptance of payments by credit cards may be canceled by the governmental entity upon giving reasonable notice of intent to cancel.

(c) An entity accepting payments by credit card may pay amounts due a financial institution or other service provider by (i) paying the financial institution or other service provider upon presentation of an invoice or (ii) allowing the financial institution or other service provider to withhold the amount of the fees from the credit card payment. A discount or processing fee may be authorized whenever the governing body of the entity determines that any reduction of revenue resulting from the discount or processing fee will be in the best interest of the entity. Items that may be considered in making a determination to authorize the payment of fees or the acceptance of a discount include, but are not limited to, improved governmental cash flows, reduction of governmental overhead, improved governmental financial security, a combination of these items, and the benefit of increased public convenience. No payment to or withheld by a financial institution or other service provider may exceed the amounts authorized under subsection (b) of Section 25.

(d) Unless specifically prohibited by an ordinance or rule adopted by the governing body of the local governmental entity, a person may pay multiple tax bills in a single transaction.