Wilmette rethinks green incentive

A year ago, North suburban Wilmette rolled out discounts for environmentally friendly cars.

Now village leaders are poised to charge gas-guzzlers and hybrids alike a same rate for vehicle stickers.

Institution of the discount thrust Wilmette into the national limelight, with supporters calling it forward-thinking. But village Trustee Mike Basil says the discount did little to change residents' decisions about what car to buy. However, critics say the discount came at the expense of carpoolers and commuters who also work to reduce their carbon footprints.

If approved during next week's village board meeting, the revised fees would charge residents $25 to register motorcycles, $90 for trucks and $75 for cars, minivans and sport-utility vehicles regardless of their green ratings.