$25 rebates for cars built in-state a solid gesture – Shaw Local

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Dan Smith

Congress enacted the Buy American Act in 1933, but the history of using purchasing power as a political voice predates the Declaration of Independence.

These sentiments weren't exactly reflected in Senate Bill 3609 (Today's suspension of a short series examining state laws that take effect January 1), but they have some things in common.

State Senators Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) and Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) introduced the plan in January. The Senate confirmed him 53-0 on February 23, and the House confirmed him 109-0 on April 1. Illinois.

"My hope with this law is to encourage people to buy cars that are made here in Illinois," Fowler said in February. “This bill is intended to provide incentives to put money back in consumers' pockets. It's an example of how it works."

“By encouraging residents to choose from the many high-quality vehicles we manufacture in Illinois, we are making it clear that buying Illinois-made is the best decision for both workers and consumers. added Koehler. “By supporting locally made products, we can spur economic growth within our communities.”

Scott T. Holland

Enthusiasm for the law, which takes effect on Sunday, hits headlong with the Dec. 9 announcement that Stellantis will indefinitely shut down the Jeep Cherokee factory in Belvidere. But the Chicago plant makes Ford Explorers and Lincoln Navigators, and Rivian's regular facility, which has taken and expanded Mitsubishi's old business, employs more than 5,000 people to build about 25,000 electric vehicles a year. Hiring.

The Fowler-Koehler plan is unlikely to have as much impact on the state's financial future as the 2021 Reimagining Electric Vehicles Act. The law could leverage hundreds of millions of state and federal dollars to attract and retain companies that build electric vehicles. Components containing rechargeable batteries.

But SB 3609 is still worth the effort and can be seen as part of an effort to motivate people to buy Illinois. Boosting is never a bad strategy.

This day: 85 years ago we lost Don Marquis. Born in Walnut in 1878, Marquis was a successful journalist and author of novels, poetry and plays. In 1916 New York While he was working for The Sun, he created his Archy and Mehitabel (The Cockroach and the Stray Cat) and wrote humorous poems through them.

Marquis wrote "Almost Perfect State" at age 42 (tinyurl.com/AlmostPerfectState). Picking a favorite line is hard, but this one stands out.

“Don't push yourself too hard, don't push yourself continuously, do the best you can, and leave the rest to God.”

Scott T. Holland writes about state government issues for Shaw Media. follow him on twitter @sth749He can be reached at [email protected].