Note: The U-Connect software system in Chrysler products is controlled and connected via the rear view mirror. By removing them, it renders the GPS tracking software unusable.


  
     
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
                            
                            
    
  

  
    
      

	  
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
  
    
      
        
          
            
              
                
              
              
                
                  
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
  

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
    Urgent - Contact Your Legislators Today
Please contact your elected officials!  The OEMs, the IL Manufacturers Assn. and Governor Pritzker, are contemplating a repeal of the IL Warranty Reimbursement Act during the Fall Veto Session which begins tomorrow. 
Legislation to repeal the warranty reimbursement legislation that took effect January 1, 2022, is being drafted for possible introduction.  The warranty reimbursement legislation allows dealers to be compensated fairly for warranty repairs and has resulted in better pay for service technicians. 
Some vehicle manufacturers have communicated to the Pritzker administration that as long as the warranty law is in place in Illinois, they will not consider locating vehicle, parts or battery plants in Illinois. 
Please take advantage of our IADA Advocacy platform to contact your State Representative and your State Senator and ask them to vote "no" on any legislation to repeal the warranty reimbursement legislation.  You may also want to pass this message along and encourage your employees to forward this message to their legislators.
As a reminder, IADA is also currently battling VW, who has filed a federal lawsuit to overturn our warranty reimbursement bill.  Thank you for your partnership in the form of membership and participation in Association Programs like IADA-CVR.  This support allows us to continue fighting for you!
Click here to get to the IADA Advocacy Center for the simplest way to contact your legislators and send our prepared message, or feel free to create your own.

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
    Illinois New Car Dealers Drive the Economy
When talking with your state legislators, local government officials or any other economic policy makers, always remind them of the huge economic role that Illinois dealerships play in driving our economy.
92,000+ jobs
60 employees average
$41B+ total sales
$3.4B payroll
$2.9B state sales tax paid
Click here for an annual economic activity report 

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
    Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to Open New Round of Funding For EV Rebate Program on November 1
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced that a new round of funding for the IEPA’s Electric Vehicle Rebate Program will open on November 1, 2023 and run through January 31, 2024.  Qualifying Illinois residents can apply for refunds for qualifying electric vehicles purchased within 90 days of the application.  Qualifying customers who purchased an electric vehicle on or after August 3, 2023 are urged to download the application (Microsoft Word - FINAL EV Rebate Cycle 3 template 9-21-23 (002).docx (illinois.gov)) from the IEPA website and submit the application as soon as possible on or after November 1st.  
As with prior rounds of funding, IEPA will give priority to applications submitted by low-income purchasers (persons and families whose income does not exceed 80% of the State median income) in the order that complete applications are received, followed by all other complete applications in the order received.  Customers, especially customers who are not low-income, are urged to apply as soon as possible.  Funding for the program has been reduced and is expected to be exhausted quickly.  Applications postmarked before November 1st will be rejected and defective applications will not be considered as received until all corrections are submitted.
Additional information about the EV Rebate Program is available on the IEPA website at: Electric Vehicle Rebate Program - Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (illinois.gov).

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
    A Rash of Dealership Thefts In Illinois
IADA has been made aware of a number of auto dealerships experiencing recent break-ins resulting in significant damage and financial loss.  The auto theft ring seems to be traveling in a group of five to eight individuals.  They are targeting dealerships and homes between the hours of 3-6am.  Most victims have homes or businesses that allow quick access to I-55.  
In all instances, vehicles have traveled south on I-55 and those that can be accounted for were found in St. Louis.  St. Louis PD informed one of the victims that they have been pursuing an auto theft ring that has been taking vehicles out of Illinois and then bringing them to Missouri where they are attempting to remove the VIN plates and restamp them.  
The rearview mirrors have been ripped out of most vehicles.  Note: The U-Connect software system in Chrysler products is controlled and connected via the rear view mirror.  By removing them, it renders the GPS tracking software unusable. 
While there are no ironclad defenses against theft, there are a number of ways that you can be proactive to help protect your business. Reinforce the importance of security to your employees, continue to keep records and an updated registry of your equipment, merchandise, and supplies, and obtain the right insurance to help keep you covered in the event of a loss. (Read here for Federated Insurance security awareness tips.)

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
    Get Titles in Your Dealership Name Quicker with CVR T20 Transactions
IADA worked with SOS last year to provide a T20 transaction for dealers, which creates a $20 dealer title rather than the current $151 (saving our dealers $131 on each of these applications).  Initially, SOS could not accommodate this transaction electronically, but now IADA-CVR offers the ability to process the T20 transaction through their system.  Skip the manual work and processing delays that used to occur and let CVR make your job easier.  (For more information)

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
    IRS Announces Process to Withdraw Employee Retention Tax Credit Claims
The IRS just released information about how to withdraw claims for Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERC) applications.  Several companies have aggressively marketed misleading programs to help businesses claim the credit, regardless of whether the businesses qualify.  For businesses that are reconsidering a decision to claim the credit, information from the IRS about withdrawing ERC claims is available here. 

                  
                
              
            
            
          
        
      
    
  
  
 
  
  
    
      
        
          
            
            
              
                
                  
                    
    Federated Insurance's Auto Dealer Claim of the Month - Could It Happen To You
An insured auto dealership loaned out a vehicle to a customer while they had their own vehicle in for service. The dealership employee was in a hurry and did not verify that the customer had a valid driver’s license and insurance in place. After the customer had left the dealership with the loaner vehicle they were involved in an accident, resulting in damage to the other vehicle and injuring two people, resulting in a loss for the dealership.
CLAIM AMOUNT: $350,000 in total damages
Risk management advice: (read  more)