Pub. 6 2016 Issue 3

6 AUTOMOBILE DEALER NEWS ILLINOIS www.illinoisdealers.com Chairman Mr. Sam Roberts / 618.466.7220 Roberts Motors, Inc. 4350 Albey St., Alton, IL 62002 Vice Chairman Mr. Jack Schmitt / (618) 628-2500 Jack Schmitt Chevrolet 127 Regency Park Dr., O Fallon, IL 62269 Treasurer Mr. Dan Roesch / (630) 834-8000 Larry Roesch Chrysler-Jeep 200 West Grand Avenue Elmhurst, IL 60126 Secretary Mr. Pat Manning / 815.756.6325 Brad Manning Ford 402 Manning Dr., Dekalb, IL 60115 President Peter J. Sander / 217.753.0220 Illinois Automobile Dealers Association 300 W. Edwards, P.O. Box 3045, Springfield, IL 62708 Illinois Automobile Dealers Association 300 West Edwards Street, Springfield, IL 62708 T 217.753.0220 • F 217.753.3424 www.IllinoisDealers.com 2016 OFFICERS IADA PRESIDENT’SMessage | BY PETER J. SANDER What’s in Store for Illinois and Its Dealers? T he Illinois Legislature and Governor compromised enough to put together a six-month budget deal designed to open schools on time this fall, keep state govern- ment operational for six months and provide funds for continuation of road construction projects. There was substantial pressure building to put together some type of an agreement as the state was about to begin another year without a budget deal. The agreement does nothing to help reduce the state’s estimated $8 billion bill backlog. Several potential tax items impacting the business commu- nity have been floated this past year and no doubt will be back in consideration after the November state wide elections. During the summer months take a moment and meet with your Repre- sentatives and Senators, let them know that automobile dealers contribute 14% of all retail sales in Illinois, employ over 38,651 employees, an average of 51 per dealership. Additional talking points: • Majority of automobile dealers are independent busi- nesses, not manufacturer owned stores, the vast majority are local, family owned businesses that have been in their communities for generations. • Dealers invest millions of dollars in land, facilities parts and service equipment to sell and service vehicles to their customers. Also for the third year in a row, Senator Oberweis' attempt to open dealerships on Sunday was held in the Senate Transportation Committee. Last year, Senator Oberweis had three (3) different versions of opening dealerships on Sunday, all attempts failed. This year's twist was called the "Religious Equality Act" which allows dealers to operate any six (6) days of the week of their choice. This legislation would give a dealer who worships on a day other than Sunday an opportunity to open on Sundays. It appears the Senator is getting very creative in order to open dealerships on Sundays. IADA expects the Senator will continue his efforts regard- ing the repeal of the Sunday Closing Law. He is very determined and will continue his crusade next session with new legislation on this issue. A special thanks to all dealers and dealership employees for their calls, emails, and notes to their State Senators on defeat- ing this proposal. Your continued support has kept dealerships closed on Sundays. Please make every effort when visiting with your local legislators to emphasize how important maintaining the Sunday Closing Law is to our industry! With this being an election year we want to sincerely thank everyone for their support of CAR of Illinois, IADA’s Political Action Fund and NADA PAC, NADA’s political action fund. Both of these funds are vitally important to help maintain a strong dealer voice in Springfield and Washington D.C. When asked to contribute please help us continue to help you in the legislative arena! 