CATA News

Pete L. Georges, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by friends and family at the age of 90 on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 in Oak Brook, Illinois. Pete began a lifelong career in the automobile business at Esserman Dodge in Chicago. He would go on to work at Merit Chevrolet on 73rd & Stony Island, purchase Ferrell-Hicks Chevrolet on 57th & Ashland with a fellow coworker, and finally buy his own dealership, Pete Georges Chevrolet, on the corner of 95th & Cicero in Oak Lawn, where he'd ultimately retire in 2000.

Visitation will be held at the Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Rd., Westchester on Friday, July 8, 2022, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. All shall meet Saturday, July 9 at Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, 2501 S. Wolf Rd. in Westchester, for a 10 a.m. funeral service followed by entombment at Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Pete can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Jerry Haggerty, Haggerty Chevrolet, Haggerty Ford and Haggerty Buick-GMC, and Emir Abinion, Fox Lake Buick-GMC and Fox Lake VW, were elected to the CATA Board of Directors just prior to the CATA’s Annual Meeting and Golf Outing on June 14. Incumbents JC Phelan, Jack Phelan Chevrolet and Jack Phelan Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and Ryan Kelly, Kelly Nissan, also return for another 3-year term.

This was the first CATA election since 2020, as the board of directors deferred the 2021 election due to the COVID pandemic and instead extended the term of all officers by one year to fill the gap. Other members of the 2022-23 CATA Board of Directors include John Crane, Dan Heller, Kevin Keefe, Fred Marks, Dan Marquardt, Steve Phillipos, Jason Roberts, Kelly Webb Roberts, and Richard Wickstrom.

In a separate action at the June CATA Board of Directors meeting, the board approved a new executive committee. Elected to their posts for one-year terms were JC Phelan, Chairman; Kelly Webb Roberts Vice Chairwoman; Jason Roberts, Treasurer; Ryan Kelly, Secretary; and Kevin Keefe was named 2023 Chicago Auto Show Chairman.

Though still somewhat murky in execution, the State of Illinois has further clarified it’s $4,000 EV rebate program. Part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Pritzker on Sept. 15, 2021, the Electric Vehicle Rebate program begins in earnest on July 1, 2022.

The program allows Illinois residents who purchase a new or used all-electric passenger vehicles from a dealer licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State to apply for a rebate of up to $4,000. The rebate amount cannot exceed the purchase price of the vehicle. The purchaser must retain ownership of the vehicle for a minimum of 12 consecutive months immediately after the vehicle purchase date. Only one rebate will be issued to a purchaser in any 10-year period. Finally, purchasers must apply for the rebate within 90-days after the vehicle purchase date.

The legislation also allows for incentives for private organizations and companies to install and maintain Level 2 or Level 3 charging stations. Up to 80% of the cost of the installation of charging stations may be funded. Additional awards may incentivize charging infrastructure in eligible communities.

More information can be found here. The state has also posted a FAQ that provides additional details. The Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition will host an Illinois EV Rebate Program Webinar on July 13 at 11 A.M.

On a particularly hot and steamy June 14, the CATA hosted its annual meeting and golf outing at Cog Hill Golf Club in Lemont, Illinois. Due to the COVID pandemic, this was the first time this event was held since 2019.

Utilizing a new event format, CATA Member Benefit Partners hosted a networking reception prior to lunch. As lunch began, nearly 300 members and sponsors were on hand for the annual meeting.  Outgoing CATA Chairman Kevin Keefe provided remarks at the luncheon, announcing election results as well as recapping CATA board activities over the past two years.

After lunch, members and sponsors were released to golf on one of three courses utilized for the event. Wrapping up the event was a putting contest sponsored by Protective and a cocktail reception sponsored by ABC 7 Chicago.

On Wednesday, June 22 the CATA hosted a media kick-off designed to drum up media support for the upcoming BBQ for the Troops dealer events. More than a dozen dealers brought vehicles to CATA headquarters in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, and were joined by several restored military vehicles and representatives from the USO Illinois signifying the official beginning of the marketing campaign for the event.

Following the presentation of colors by a color guard from Naval Station Great Lakes and singing of the national anthem by Alleece Baker, Christopher Schmidt, Executive Director USO Illinois, stepped to the podium to detail how important this event has become to the USO Illinois and the troops and military families it supports. Following Schmidt, new CATA Chairman JC Phelan stepped up to the mic and talked about the program’s inception 9 years ago, growing from a simple BBQ and donation jar to elaborate celebrations with bands, car shows, dunk tanks, auctions and 21-gun salutes.

Over the event’s history, CATA new-car dealers have helped raise more than $950,000 for the USO Illinois. In an effort to top the $1M mark, more than 50 dealers have already signed up to participate this year.

Dealers interested in hosting a BBQ for the Troops event still have time to register and be included in media promotion. More information is available by contacting CATA Director of Marketing, Jim OBrill by phone at 630-424-6085 or via email at jobrill@drivechicago.com.

Terry D’Arcy, 2005-06 CATA Chairman and dealer principal at D’Arcy Chevrolet Buick Cadillac in Morris, D’Arcy Hyundai and D’Arcy Buick GMC in Joliet, has announced plans to run for mayor of Joliet next spring.

D’Arcy said that he's running for mayor because at 66 years old, he has the time necessary to devote his attention to being mayor of Joliet and he wants to give back to the city.

"I just want to help people," D'Arcy told reporters at a recent news conference.

D'Arcy said he called current Joliet Mayor O'Dekirk and notified him of his decision to run against him in next year's mayoral race for the third largest Illinois city and the county seat of Will County.

"I talked to the mayor and wished him well. I respect him," D'Arcy said of O'Dekirk.

He said that D'Arcy Motors now about 225 total employees between all its locations, and he's in the process of building a new $20 million building on his Essington Road property.

Information provided in the latest Chicago Auto Outlook, showed new retail light vehicle registrations in the Chicago Area declined 23% during the first five months of this year versus year earlier. U.S. market fell by an estimated 18.6%. Limited inventories continue to be a factor, as the market declined 27.5% in May. Registrations increased for five brands: Mitsubishi, Genesis, Tesla, Porsche, and BMW.

Mike Cook, 1997-98 CATA Chairman and 1999 Chicago Auto Show Chairman passed away this week.

"I talked to several past CATA directors this week who served with Mike and he was remembered fondly, said CATA President, Dave Sloan.  We spoke of his sense of humor and his love of life.  He so enjoyed serving his fellow dealers during his tenure on the CATA board."

Cook was dealer principal at Bill Cook Buick Mazda in Arlington Heights. He later owner a Ford dealership in Harvard, IL.  Funeral arrangements are pending.

The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) presented the 2022 Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship to John Hersey High School graduating senior Grace Listopad. The CATA, Chicagoland’s new-car dealer association and producer of the Chicago Auto Show, established the Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship–a $1,000 grant–to honor Carol Cooling. Carol was Hersey alumna and long-time NBC 5 Chicago Special Events Director who died in 2013 following a battle with cancer.

The CATA worked closely alongside Cooling during the annual productions of NBC's Chicago Auto Show TV special and developed a lasting relationship that went beyond the production of the special. Cooling was the strong foundation to a successful partnership that led to multiple Emmy Award wins for the show. Although Cooling's official title at NBC was "Director of Special Events," she was most frequently referred to as the "heart and soul" of the station.

"This scholarship is very personal for us as we look for ways to keep Carol’s legacy and larger-than-life outlook alive and are honored to present this year’s scholarship to such an outstanding student," said Jen Morand, president of the CATA and general manager of the Chicago Auto Show.

"Every year, the Hersey business teachers select one standout senior that not only took all of our business classes but stood out amongst the rest of a very impressive Hersey student body. Grace Listopad would have stood out any year, but because of the last two years of COVID craziness, she really stood out," said Hersey business teacher, Daniel Vesper. "While many students used their remote learning on Zoom to shut their cameras and brains off, Grace was one of only a few students to have her camera on. It was so refreshing to see her face instead of a one inch by one inch ‘G’ icon. We also got to hear her voice because she was still answering our questions and asking her own. I never thought that would be something that made a student stand out, but COVID did help bring to light a person's true character, and Grace's character is unmatched."

Listopad will graduate from Hersey High School this month and attend Northern Michigan University this fall where she plans to study Sustainable Business and Enterprise Creation which match two of her passions: business and making the world a better place.

Vesper added, "As impressed as I was with Grace as a business student and a district, regional, state and nationally recognized DECA Business Club competitor, it was her creation of the "Pack Up Homelessness" project that made me the proudest of her. Over the last two years, Grace has used her National Honor Society platform to help collect thousands of dollars’ worth of donated items for people who need more help than others. And that defines what Grace is about...others. Grace will do anything in her power to make someone's day better and our society, business community, and world need people like her leading us to the better world she will help create."

"Carol Cooling was the type of person I am working to be. She made a positive impact on many lives. My volunteerism throughout my life has made a positive impact and I will continue to make a positive impact, just like Carol," said Listopad. "I am honored to receive this scholarship. I cannot wait to expand my education even more at Northern Michigan University while carrying the spirit of Carol Cooling with me."

Hersey High School students will have the chance to apply for the Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship again next year.