AARP urges Will County to consider limits or ban on cryptocurrency kiosks after spike in losses

AARP representatives told the Will County Legislative Committee that cryptocurrency kiosks pose a disproportionate risk to older residents and urged county action ranging from stricter local rules to a wholesale ban.

Al Hollandbeck, an AARP volunteer, and Courtney Hederman, AARP Illinois senior associate state director, said national and state data show cryptocurrency-related losses have surged. Hederman told the committee the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) 2025 data (released the night before) reported roughly $11 billion in cryptocurrency losses overall and about $333.5 million tied specifically to kiosk fraud so far in 2025.

AARP outlined three policy options: rely on the new Illinois statute that places licensing and some limits at the state level; adopt stricter county-level regulations such as location limits and lower fee caps; or ban kiosks entirely. Hederman said the state law (Senate Bill 2319) created licensing, customer service lines and receipts but includes compromise provisions such as transaction fee caps (18 percent under current law) and phase-in timelines, with some protections not effective until rulemaking is complete in 2027.

Committee members expressed concern about kiosk locations and asked staff to compile a list of kiosks located under county jurisdiction (operators are increasingly required to report locations under the new law). Several members said they favored strong local action and one member stated a personal preference for a ban; others asked for sample ordinances and for AARP to provide model language and resources.

AARP agreed to share model ordinances and recent data to help the county assess options. The committee did not take a formal vote but directed staff to collect location information and consider bringing a draft resolution or ordinance for the next meeting.