Libertyville program benefits customers, charities

The Shop Libertyville Rewards program by the village and Libertyville Mile of Cars has provided nearly $59,000 in rewards for customers, local business and charities, officials said.

The program was intended to encourage people to make Libertyville their car buying destination and to thank them for shopping in town while promoting village retailers. Nearly 300 customers who purchased or leased a new vehicle in July have received their Shop Libertyville Certificates, which are redeemable at about 80 local merchants. Visit wwww.Libertyville.com/Rewards for a list.

Merchants are reporting an influx of receipts as the value of certificates in circulation is nearly $31,000, which was funded by the village. Recipients received $200 in certificates and nonresidents $100, with an expiration of Oct. 31.

Also, a $28,100 donation will be made by the Mile of Cars dealerships to nine local charities. Dealerships chose to include a charity donation as part of the rewards program to help customers see how shopping in town spreads the benefit throughout the community.

At the time of the customers' purchase, each selected the charity to which they wanted the dealership to donate $100 on their behalf. Donation recipients include: Libertyville Township Food Pantry ($10,100); Lake County Haven ($4,400); village of Libertyville Recreation/Sports Complex Scholarship Fund ($4,300); Youth & Family Counseling ($3,800); David Adler Music & Arts Center ($1,800); Friends of Cook Library ($1,600); Maristella ($1,200); Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society ($500); and, village of Libertyville Foundation ($400).

"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," Mayor Terry Weppler said.

"We appreciate the customers' purchases along Libertyville's Mile of Cars and are thrilled the program has shown the many rewards."

Auto-related businesses represent approximately 60 percent of all sales tax receipts received by the village and are used to support needed services and facilities, including parks, fire and police protection.

These businesses also provide employment to nearly 800 people. Their community support extends far beyond taxes and providing jobs - it includes sponsorship of the village's Independence Day fireworks, food collection for the Libertyville Township Food Pantry, and more.

Glenn Bockwinkel, co-owner of Acura of Libertyville and chairman of the association, is a program supporter.

"The dealerships on Libertyville's Mile of Cars are thrilled by the response to the Shop Libertyville Rewards program. We appreciated the ability to work with the village to reward customers for their local support and to extend the benefit to charities and businesses throughout the community," he said.

The Shop Libertyville Rewards certificates are part of the Shop 60048 effort, a program intended to strengthen Libertyville businesses by encouraging area residents to shop locally and educating them about local business offerings.