The 12 retail auto dealerships in Libertyville that make up the Libertyville Mile of Cars donated $30,000 to four local charities during the Village of Libertyville Board Meeting on May 27.

The donation was part of the Libertyville Rewards program that ran in the village October 2020 through February 2021. When consumers purchased or leased a new vehicle at a Libertyville Mile of Cars dealerships, they received certificates from the Village of Libertyville, usable towards goods and services at participating Libertyville businesses. 

And for each benefiting customer of the Libertyville Rewards program, the dealerships pledged a donation of $100 towards local charities that are responding to community members in need.

The four charities chosen to benefit were Lake County Haven, the Libertyville Township Food Pantry, PADS Lake County, and Youth & Family Counseling. All four charities are responding to community members in need during the difficult economic time created by the COVID-19 crisis.

Glenn Bockwinkel, chairman of the Libertyville Auto Dealers Association, is a program supporter. "The Libertyville Rewards program is great for so many reasons. It promotes shopping at the local dealerships as well as other Libertyville businesses that participate in the program, and it helps four great charity organizations. This is really all part of what makes Libertyville a great place to live and work."

Retail auto related businesses represent about 60% of all sales tax receipts received by the village — taxes which support needed services and facilities, including parks, fire and police protection. The businesses also employ nearly 800 people. Their community support extends far beyond taxes and provision of jobs to sponsorship of the village’s Independence Day fireworks and various organizations. 

According to Libertyville Mayor Terry Weppler, "Vehicle-related businesses are crucial to our local economy through their sales taxes, employment, connections to other local business, and their ongoing support of community events and organizations."

The Libertyville Rewards program is part of the Shop 60048 effort, a program intended to strengthen Libertyville businesses through encouraging area residents to shop locally. When residents shop locally, it helps add to local sales tax revenues which support village services. More importantly, it strengthens local businesses and provides employment opportunities.