Normal extends EV tax rebate program, seats new council members

Posted on May 4, 2015

R.C. McBride (left), Kathleen Lorenz (middle), and Jeff Fritzen (right) were sworn in Monday night. (WJBC file photo)

By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – The Normal Town Council voted 5-2 Monday night to continue its program to rebate the town’s portion of the sales tax when a resident buys an electric car.

Councilmen Scott Preston and Jeff Fritzen each voted against the measure.

“I just think with the recent placing (of) a local tax on gas consumption, and with our revenue situation the way it is, I don’t think this is revenue that we need to be giving up,” Fritzen said.

Fritzen believed the program has served its purpose.

“Some notoriety throughout the country, really, with our efforts for EV town, encouragement for people to make an investment of this nature,” said Fritzen. “There are still subsidies available for people who want to purchase an electric or qualifying vehicle.”

City Manager Mark Peterson said 81 residents have taken advantage of the program since its inception in 2011. He added the average rebate is about $300.

New council members

Also Monday night, the town swore in its new council members. R.C. McBride and Kathleen Lorenz are newcomers to the council. Fritzen was sworn in after winning his re-election bid.

Chuck Scott was unsuccessful in his bid for re-election. Sonja Reece chose not to seek another term.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…