On behalf of the IADA Board of Directors and staff, I would like to dedicate this edition of our Illinois Automobile Dealers Association Dealer News to sharing the latest information and guidance for dealers on COVID-19 .

On March 20th, Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-10, directing Illinois residents to stay at home starting March 21 at 5PM through the end of the day on April 30, 2020. The Executive Order generally directs Illinois residents to remain at home, except as otherwise directed in the Executive Order. The order includes several exceptions, including a list of Essential Businesses and Operations that can continue to operate.

IADA and CATA were engaged in discussions with high-level staff from the Governor’s Office to clarify how it relates to motor vehicle sales. IADA and CATA have stressed that availability of motor vehicles for anyone who needs transportation should be honored by dealers based upon an essential needs test, including needs of first responders, for any person whose vehicle is damaged and is concerned about the reliability of their current vehicle, expiring leases and otherwise needs a replacement or additional vehicle, all of which supports transportation as an essential and critical link in the transportation infrastructure. Additionally, dealership parts and service departments are essential and may continue to operate.

The Governor’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity did release a Frequently Asked Questions document with guidance clarifying Executive Order 2020-10. The FAQ states that motor vehicle parts and service departments can continue to operate. It further provides that motor vehicle dealer showrooms must be closed to the public, but dealers can admit customers by appointment to conduct sales. Dealerships may also continue to conduct sales activities online and by telephone. It is recommended that dealers keep a log of showroom appointments visitors.

The FAQ also provides instruction about social distancing requirements, making disinfecting products available to employees and customers, implementing special hours for elderly and vulnerable customers, and posting online when your place of business is open and how reach the facility and, if possible conduct business by telephone or remotely.
IADA will continue to keep you posted as additional information becomes available. If you have any questions, please consult the Coronavirus Guidance and Information area at illinoisdealers.com or contact IADA at 217-753-0220.

On a positive note, IADA and CATA did host a successful State Conference in Marco Island, FL. I would like to thank all of the dealer members and sponsors who made our 2020 IADA-CATA (fourteenth annual) State Conference so successful. We had a dynamic group of attendees and families participate in the March 14-18 event held at the JW Marriott.

The conference agenda included an Officer and Sponsor Recognition Breakfast, dealer board meetings, and several networking events for our members. We were thrilled to have NADA Chairman, Rhett Ricart, speak at the breakfast along with Andy Church, Dealer Solution Mergers and Acquisitions. We have used many of the following pages to showcase photos of the event. I would like to offer our most sincere thanks to our wonderful sponsors who helped make this event possible. Without their generous support, this event would not be possible.

I would like to thank all our dealer members for your support of IADA throughout the year, especially now during this trying time. We will continue to provide you with the latest legislative and regulatory updates as we receive them. IADA is always available to answer your questions or provide guidance on COVID-19, feel free to call, email or find daily updates at illinoisdealers.com. We have not forgotten about the $10,000 trade-in cap and as soon as things get back to normal in Springfield, this is our top priority.

Sincerely,
Mike Ettleson
Ettleson Cadillac Buick GMC, Inc.
Hodgkins