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  • Brilliance Subaru Hosts Pet Adoption Event

    Friday, June 10, 2022 1:18 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    On Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5, Brilliance Subaru of Elgin hosted a massive pet adoption event. More than 650 people attended and more than 150 animals were adopted.

    The Road Home Mega Adoption Event was part of an ongoing partnership between Anderson Humane and Brilliance Subaru of Elgin, through which the dealership hosts the "Rescue Dog of the Day" two days each week. The event was also a local expression of Subaru Loves Pets, a national initiative dedicated to getting animals out of shelters and into loving homes.

    "There’s no doubt these once-homeless animals and their new families will be changed forever," said Beth Foster, President and CEO of Anderson Humane. In fact, within the first hour, all the puppies in Anderson's first batch were spoken for. "In spite of iffy weather on Saturday, we managed to get over 130 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens into forever homes," said Beth. "By the end of the event on Sunday, 156 adoptions had taken place – a record weekend!"

    The Brilliance Subaru team was also excited to see the event come to such successful fruition. "Personally watching the love and joy families experienced adopting a rescue animal was very emotional for all of us," said Kevin Keefe, owner of Brilliance Subaru of Elgin. "We cheered and celebrated every adoption. The Brilliance Subaru and Anderson Humane teams coming together for one sole purpose was magical."

  • Chicago Automobile Trade Association Awards the 2022 Spirit of Carol Cooling Scholarship to John Hersey High School Student

    Friday, June 10, 2022 9:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    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.

  • Brilliance Subaru Hosts Pet Adoption Event

    Friday, June 10, 2022 9:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    On Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5, Brilliance Subaru of Elgin hosted a massive pet adoption event. More than 650 people attended and more than 150 animals were adopted.

    The Road Home Mega Adoption Event was part of an ongoing partnership between Anderson Humane and Brilliance Subaru of Elgin, through which the dealership hosts the "Rescue Dog of the Day" two days each week. The event was also a local expression of Subaru Loves Pets, a national initiative dedicated to getting animals out of shelters and into loving homes.

    "There’s no doubt these once-homeless animals and their new families will be changed forever," said Beth Foster, President and CEO of Anderson Humane. In fact, within the first hour, all the puppies in Anderson's first batch were spoken for. "In spite of iffy weather on Saturday, we managed to get over 130 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens into forever homes," said Beth. "By the end of the event on Sunday, 156 adoptions had taken place – a record weekend!"

    The Brilliance Subaru team was also excited to see the event come to such successful fruition. "Personally watching the love and joy families experienced adopting a rescue animal was very emotional for all of us," said Kevin Keefe, owner of Brilliance Subaru of Elgin. "We cheered and celebrated every adoption. The Brilliance Subaru and Anderson Humane teams coming together for one sole purpose was magical."

  • CATA’s Member Golf Outing Returns

    Friday, May 27, 2022 9:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    Let’s get back into the "swing" of things! The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) is excited to bring back its member golf outing this summer. Please join the CATA for a fun-filled day on the course, Tuesday, June 14, at Cog Hill in Lemont.

    SCHEDULE OF EVENTS*
    • 9:30 a.m. – Registration (near outdoor Pavilion)
    • 10-11 a.m. – Coffee & Networking Reception (Pavilion)
    • 11 a.m. – Lunch and CATA Annual Meeting (Pavilion)
    • 12:30 p.m. – Shotgun
    • Post-Golf Happy Hour
    *Please make note of the new format.
     
    Not a golfer? No problem. Join us for lunch and the annual meeting in the Pavilion and network with CATA members.
     
    RATES
    • CATA Dealer Member Rate: $95 per person
    • CATA Allied Member Rate: $125* per person (*unless the allied member hosts a CATA member dealer; they will then receive the $30 credit post-event)
    • Lunch-only ticket: $40 per person
    TO RSVP/Make a Payment
    1. To register, please click here.
    2. To make your payment, please mail a check for your total to the Chicago Automobile Trade Association at 18W200 Butterfield Road, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 (attn: Roxanne Sammarco). Or, if paying via credit card, call Roxanne at 630-424-6060.
    Questions/Sponsorship Information
    It's been "FORE"ever since we hosted an all-member event. We hope to see you soon!
     

  • In Memoriam – Erwin Weil

    Friday, May 27, 2022 9:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    Born December 5, 1932 and raised in Chicago, Illinois Erwin M. Weil passed away May 17, 2022 in Palm Beach, Florida. For more than 50 years he bought, sold, and traded automobiles in the Greater Chicago area. He was the owner of Weil Oldsmobile which would later become Weil Cadillac-Hummer in Libertyville. His slogan, "a beautiful place in the country" was an iconic local catch-phrase.

    A self-made man, Erwin started his career washing and delivering cars as a porter at a small neighborhood car lot on Western Avenue. Within a short period of time he became the top salesman at Grossinger's for three years in a row and eventually bought his first used car lot. Later, as a Dodge dealer he was soon "elevated" to the ranks of Oldsmobile. During the 1970's, Weil was the largest Oldsmobile dealer in the world.

    For those who would like to make mark his passing please donate to
    .

  • Chicago New- and Used Vehicle Registrations Continue Downward Trend

    Friday, May 27, 2022 9:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    New retail light vehicle registrations in the Chicago Area declined 21.7% during the first four months of this year versus year earlier. U.S. market fell by an estimated 16.6%. The seasonally adjusted rate of registrations during March and April was 303,301, down slightly from the annual total last year. Registrations increased for six brands: Mitsubishi, Genesis, Tesla, Porsche, BMW, and Mazda. Get the complete report in the May edition of Chicago Auto Outlook .

  • NADA Board Elections

    Friday, May 13, 2022 3:51 PM | Anonymous

    Nomination Ballots for the CATA’s representative on the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Board of Directors are being mailed today. NADA members in the CATA’s district, which is limited to Lake, DuPage and Cook Counties, are eligible to vote. To qualify as a nominee, a member must receive at least 10 percent of the total votes cast in the nomination process. If more than one nominee is slated, the election for NADA director will take place in July. NADA Directors serve three-year terms with this one beginning in January 2023. The current CATA representative, Joe Massarelli owner of Libertyville Auto Plaza, is our current director and has chosen to run for another term.


  • CATA Promotes Career Paths at New-Car Dealerships

    Friday, May 13, 2022 3:50 PM | Anonymous
    On May 3 a group of senior-year automotive shop class students from High School District 228 visited three dealerships for the purpose of potentially gaining employment. These students have demonstrated mechanical aptitude and are great candidates to enter a career path in the automotive industry.  Many of them are interested in becoming an automotive technician and some also opted to interview with a second dealership the following day.

    The CATA’s grassroots high-school education program is an effort to find eligible students who can help fill vacancies at CATA dealerships. The CATA partnered with district career counselors to put this unique event together.

    "It was very interesting to see these young people get a look at the career opportunities that exist at new-car dealerships," said Chris Konecki, CATA executive vice president. "I don’t think that most students realize the lucrative career opportunities that exist at dealerships and seeing them really opens their minds to potentially starting a career there. Most of the students have never been in a dealership let alone being able to see the service department, service bays, back office and show rooms."

    This CATA initiative will roll out to other districts around Chicagoland in the coming months.

    "What we need is to connect with dynamic career counselors like the ones we have partnered with in District 228," said Konecki. "Once we do that, we can reach out to our dealer members in those school districts to set up similar events."

    With almost all dealers needing technicians as well as other staff, this is a way to try to connect potential candidates with employers.  For more information on this program contact Chris Konecki at the CATA.
     


  • Claiming Employee Retention Tax Credit

    Friday, May 13, 2022 3:26 PM | Anonymous
    Many of you have heard of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) and want to know if the program is still active and, if yes, what can be done to avail your business of this significant COVID-inspired relief program. Following is a summary of the terms of the program and what credits might be available.
     
    1. Two Tests of Eligibility
      1. Reduced gross receipts test:
        1. 2020: You are eligible if your gross receipts declined in any calendar quarter by more than 50% compared to the same quarter in 2019.
        2. 2021: You are eligible if your gross receipts declined in any calendar quarter by more than 20% compared to the same quarter in 2019.
      2. Government Order Test
        1. An employer is eligible if it experiences a calendar quarter in which the operation of the trade or business is fully or partially suspended during the calendar quarter from an appropriate government authority limiting commerce, travel, or group meetings (for commercial, social, religious, or other purposes) due to COVID-19.
        2. Determination under the government order test will likely require the services of a company that specializes in researching the various mandates and regulations that occurred at all levels of government in the industry you operate and the geographic region of your company.
    2. Eligibility Periods
      1. 2020: March 13, 2020 – December 31, 2020
      2. 2021: January 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021
    3. Eligible Wages
      1. The sum of the wages and health insurance payments were made on the behalf of eligible employees.
      2. Cannot use the same wages used to achieve PPP loan forgiveness and as eligible wages for the ERTC. There are strategies for maximizing the credit in this situation.
    4. Maximum Credit
      1. 2020: 50% of up to $10,000 per quarter of wages per employee = $5,000 credit per quarter per eligible employee
      2. 2021: 70% of up to $10,000 per quarter of wages per employee = $7,000 credit per quarter per eligible employee
    The CATA urges its dealers to consult with their established professional tax and legal advisors regarding ERTC eligibility. You may also contact Phil Kent, CPA, Partner, at MichaelSilver at 847-982-0333 or www.michaelsilver.com with questions.

  • Registration Management Professional (RMP) Tax, Titling & Registration Seminar

    Friday, May 13, 2022 2:35 PM | Anonymous
    CATA is hosting RMP’s Tax, Titling & Registration Seminar consisting of the most current and accurate SOS (Secretary of State) and DOR (Department of Revenue) processes. This informative two hour seminar consists of everything from license and titling basics all the way to more advanced deal processing. Topics include properly titling, registering and remitting taxes to remain compliant with SOS and DOR, adjusting any corrections on completed ERT applications and tips on streamlining your dealership tax, title and registration processes.
    • SOS and DOR compliance
    • Forms and necessary supporting documents
    • ERT correction requests
    • Tax forms and calculations
    • Full Titles and Vehicle Services
    • Third party trades, trades by heirs or by Small Estate Affidavit
    • Special plates
    Tiffany Spivey and Ali Poiliot from Vitu along with Bill Huber for the Illinois Secretary of State will be available to answer any questions during and after the seminar. Lunch and copies of the REG 101 — Introduction to Tax, Titling & Registration and REG 201 — Specialized Tax, Titling & Registration Transactions books are provided.
     
    Two Dates Available
    Lunch will be provided!

Chicago Automobile Trade Association
18W200 Butterfield Rd.
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 
(630) 495-2282

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