(625 ILCS 5/18c-3210) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18c-3210)

Sec. 18c-3210. Presentation of freight bills, payment of freight charges, and extension of credit. Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, this Section is applicable only to household goods carriers.

(1) Presentation of freight bills. Freight bills shall be presented to the person responsible for payment of freight charges not later than the 7th day following delivery of the freight.

(2) Payment required before delivery or relinquishment of possession. Except as provided in subsection (3) of this Section, no common carrier shall deliver or relinquish possession of a shipment transported by it until all freight charges for such shipment under lawfully applicable rates have been paid to the carrier. Where credit has been extended in accordance with this Section, and all freight charges on the shipment under lawfully applicable rates have not been paid before expiration of the period for which credit has been extended, the carrier shall cease delivering or relinquishing possession of the shipment and may decline to transport future shipments until all such charges have been paid.

(3) Exception: Delivery or relinquishment of possession before payment. A carrier may deliver or relinquish possession of a shipment transported by it in advance of payment of all freight charges on the shipment under lawfully applicable rates if the carrier has, in accordance with this Section, extended credit to the person responsible for payment of freight charges.

(4) Extension of credit. Credit, if extended by a carrier, must be extended without discrimination. Credit for payment of freight charges shown on the initial freight bill shall be for a period not to exceed 30 days, beginning on the later of the date of delivery or the date on which the freight bill is presented. If freight charges shown on the initial freight bill are paid and the carrier subsequently presents a supplemental freight bill, the carrier may extend credit in the amount of freight charges shown on the supplemental freight bill for an additional period not to exceed 15 days, beginning on the date on which the supplemental freight bill is presented.

(5) Commission regulation of credit terms. The Commission may regulate the extension and terms of credit extended by carriers under this Section, and no credit shall be extended except in accordance with such regulations.

(6) Use of U.S. Postal Service for presentation of bills or payment of charges. Where the United States Postal Service is used for the presentation of freight bills or payment of freight charges, the date of mailing, as indicated by the postmark, shall be the date of presentation or payment.

(7) Calculation of times for extension of credit. Time periods of extension of credit under this Section shall commence at midnight on the date of the event (delivery or presentation of freight bill). The initial 7 day period shall not include Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays.

(Source: P.A. 89-444, eff. 1-25-96.)