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* The auto dealers convinced the General Assembly many years ago to ban retail car sales on Sunday. It was a slow day of the week, but dealers are so competitive that they felt they had to remain open and a ban saved them money, as well as provided a day off for their sales employees.

Sen. Oberweis wants to repeal the ban…

State Senator Jim Oberweis says he wants to introduce legislation next year that would end the long-standing ban on Sunday automobile sales. […]

Oberweis believes the law is “anti-consumer,” and “doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

However, Peter Sander, the president of Illinois Automobile Dealers Association, says “the majority” of the industry wants the law to remain on the books.

* The Question: Should the state repeal the Sunday auto sales ban? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

web polls

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:06 pm

Comments

I say “no” unless, of course, the auto dealers association believes its a good idea.

Comment by tubbfan Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:07 pm
I voted “No” for selfish reasons–its the only day I can go and look at vehicles without a salesperson asking what it will take to put me in ‘that car’.

Comment by Tommydanger Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:08 pm
Everyone deserves a day off…

Comment by lil enchilada Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:09 pm
Gotta go with Tommydanger. The last two vehicles I bought were scoped out on a Sunday without sales staff looking over my shoulder.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:10 pm
Forcing Car Dealerships to be open(?) does not sound like “Consumer Friendly” legislation.

The day off also allows employees to have a “day off” and those employees are not forced to figure out how to cover a 7 day week. If the “Association” is against Oberweis on this, why push the issue?

What, Jim Oberweis can’t wait to buy another “Oberweis Ice Cream” van on Monday?

Dope.

Sen. Oberweis, understand an industry before you require things you are clueless about.

This Bill would be the “Governmental” Ice Cream being served, which will be nice. I just hope that “trailer” bill to fix the Oberweis Speed Limit (The Jim Oberweis ‘Crowning Jewel’ Legislation!) “language” gets moved and corrected first before Jim Oberweis tries his hand at a Bill which goes against what the industry wants.

Yikes!

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:12 pm
Sounds like a solution in search of a problem.

Comment by Abe the Babe Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:13 pm
1. Let the dealers decide. 2. It ain’t that hard to buy a car on one of the other 6 days of the week. 3. “anti-consumer” is charging upwards of $5-$6 for a gallon of milk.

Comment by unspun Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:14 pm
What’s Paprocki got to say about this one.

Shouldn’t we all be in Church?

Comment by walkinfool Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:18 pm
I voted yes, but now regret it based on some of the comments here. I suppose saving the public from getting fleeced one day a week isn’t such a bad thing. I actually like to haggle over a car price but the last car I bought from a dealer, they wouldn’t “play” and the price was the price, take it or leave it. I left disappointed.

Comment by Knome Sane Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:18 pm
No. Did Oberweis hear a lot of complaints from constituents? I liked his upping the speed limit on interstates but this seems like a non issue.

Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:19 pm
=”anti-consumer” is charging upwards of $5-$6 for a gallon of milk.=

I suppose there is another word for the idiot who pays $5-6 for a gallon of milk.

D’oh! I just let it slip.

Comment by Knome Sane Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:20 pm
I voted no. And it may be off topic but can we pass similar legislation closing stores on Thanksgiving too?

Comment by Robert Lincon Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:20 pm
Oh, please allow them to open on Sundays. (No, Willy, they wouldn’t be “forcing” them to open - just wouldn’t force them to close.”

Rich, I am guessing that if I started wandering around a car dealership up here on a Sunday, the cops would show up in about 10 minutes. Something about “criminal trespassing…”

Look — if they don’t want to cover a 7-day schedule, why not close on a Tuesday? But geez it’s a problem for two-career couples to look for cars on Saturdays. I still remember when our old car was dying, and we had to juggle car-shopping with the kids’ Saturday schedules. It was brutal.

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:24 pm
Pay attention folks! Oberweis is generally a putz but this is a good idea.

If dealers want to be open, they should have that right. If they want to be closed, fine.

It is not the government’s job to decide how businesses should operate, even if a trade association agrees. Last time I checked, lobbyists do not officially run the world just yet.

Comment by Adam Smith Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:28 pm
Just buy the car online

Comment by Tom Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:29 pm
No. and I would like to see the Senator introduce legislation to force Chick-fil-A to open on Sundays…

Comment by PoolGuy Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:29 pm
I have no problem with dealerships being closed on Sundays if they want (like Hobby Lobby for crafts), but we shouldn’t be requiring them to be closed. There are laws on the books regulating days off so their employees won’t be working 7 day weeks.

We should also not be regulating what days or hours any other industry is to be open or closed statewide either (Bars or package liquor sales, for example), except for industries where we need to have 24 by 7 cocverage (prisons, hospitals, nursing homes for example).

I would guess that we have lots of laws that regulate the Sabbath, but that varies by religion, so the state should stop regulating it.

Comment by mythoughtis Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:29 pm
It’s silly to have this leftover remnant of the blue laws still on the books. That ship has sailed. Banks don’t close for the weekend anymore. We can buy groceries and tires and underwear 24/7. It’s lovely for the car dealers and their families to get a guaranteed weekend day off that no one else gets anymore, but it’s a silly law at this point.

Comment by Ann Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:29 pm
I voted yes. You aren’t forcing anyone to be open, but you are allowing them to be open if they want to. Most people work 5-6 days a week.

If a dealer can make money being open on Sunday, and the employees can earn and the consumers will shop - why not. The ban on Sunday operations is silly.

Comment by Siriusly Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:29 pm
It does seem ironic that Mr. Pro-Business is attempting to be a ‘consumer advocate’. Don’t think you’ll see the service departments open on Sundays ( aren’t they union jobs) so that would mean you couldn’t take delivery until the following day.

Comment by Darienite Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:30 pm
- Soccermom -

You are correct, I am wrong. Lifting the Ban does not require them to BE open, but once a ban is lifted, how many are going to choose to be “closed” when its possible some may open their doors?

I think I would have a different view if the “Association” felt that the Ban on Sunday was hurting, but since the “Association” is in favor of the Ban, why lift it when the “Association” can use the Ban as cover to reduce overhead, and give the employees a day off?

Apologies.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:31 pm
Car dealers asked for the Sunday off years ago. It was an industry sponsored bill. The number of hours dealerships are open is enough for someone to get in. Also, with all of them on the internet I am not sure why we need this. Give people a break.

Comment by frustrated GOP Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:32 pm
I think they should be allowed to be open. If they want to remain closed on Sunday, let them decide that for themselves.

I do like visiting the car lot without the hustle, but can do that either early or late. Do most of my review on line on most things, including cars.

Comment by Sunshine Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:34 pm
===No. and I would like to see the Senator introduce legislation to force Chick-fil-A to open on Sundays…===

Chick-fil-A is a busiiness, not an industry…this is to change an entire indusrty.

I could go for some Chick-fil-A, and I can not tell you how many times on a Sunday I wanted Chick-fil-A, but I digress …

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:34 pm
Yes.

Why should the state dictate when a car can be bought or not? I sold cars at a dealership for a year. You still get days off. You don’t work 7 days a week.

I dont get why anyone thinks the state should force businesses to be closed certain days of the week? Why not haircut places on Mondays? why not pizza places on Tuesday’s?

This is a group of car dealerships forcing their will on even small used car lots. Silly.

@Tom
“Just buy the car online ”

Not possible even on Sunday. And this law is just like some of these states trying to keep Tesla out of the markets by having laws that you must have retail shops, etc, etc

Comment by RonOglesby Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:34 pm
Government has no business (pun intended) in this business. Repeal it, and let the business owners choose whether to be open or not.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:38 pm
sorry OW I wasn’t really being serious. I just wanted to toss in Chick-fil-A, 1) since they are closed on Sundays, and 2) because they are delicious.

Comment by PoolGuy Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:40 pm
As soon as legislation permits a dealership to open on Sunday, one will do it and then they’ll all find a way to do it… as well they should. Shopping on Sunday is a major convenience for many working families.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:42 pm
I say “yes” because it is a bad (and ridiculous) law. It is needless government regulation. If auto dealers want to close their dealerships on Sundays - THEY CAN! There’s no reason for the state to micromanage the auto sales market.

Comment by Brendan Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:42 pm
My car dealer friends like the day off. I voted no

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:43 pm
I voted yes, but I’m going to shoot myself for agreeing with Oberweis.

While we’re at getting government out of Sunday, if I’m in line at my local supermarket at 10:00am on a Sunday buying groceries, can I also buy a 6 pack of beer, if I’d like, without having to wait until the state thinks it’s ok for me to buy beer?

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:44 pm
Keep ‘em closed. AA is a car nut and Sunday is the only time you can scope out the cars without some dude hovering over you.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:44 pm
@RonOglesby Re: “Just buy the car online.”

Yes, you can still buy a car online on a Sunday, just not from a dealer in Illinois - which I think was his point.

Comment by Brendan Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:44 pm
I’m assuming that the goal would ostensibly be to allow the dealers to sell more cars. How exactly would that work? Just because a dealership is open another day does that mean people will have 3 cars in the driveway instead of 2??

All this would do is add another day of labor and expenses while selling the same number of cars.

The minute one of the dealers opens on Sunday, almost all of them would open to stay competitive.

Seems silly.

Comment by Ghost of John Brown Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:45 pm
OW, we disagree on this. The dealers control the vast majority of the car supply, which means that they can pretty much force people to buy cars on the other days — even when it’s really inconvenient.

We’re facing this right now. The lease on our car is almost up, and we have to figure out how to get out to the dealership on a Saturday. We had planned to go this Saturday, but now we have a funeral to attend. (RIP Michael.) It would make our lives much better if we could just take care of the car thing on Sunday. And it’s hard for me to feel bad for the dealers on this one, as every other company has to decide whether to stay open on Sundays or not without state intervention.

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:46 pm
So, the car sellers can’t figure this out on their own, like ALL the other businesses that exist in this state? Wow, I certainly am glad they aren’t the ones building the cars.

Vote yes.

Yep, Walmart has to stay open on Sundays cause Target does? How unfair. Let’s pass a law.

I like the idea of shopping on the web, tho. Gets those pesky sales staff off my back. Who cares if they can’t figure out how to schedule folks. I just think it is silly that the state is involved in how the car dealers do their business.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:48 pm
I voted Yes I’m no fan of overpriced Ice Cream man, but it should be up to the individual dealerships. I’m sure there are plenty of used car salesmen who would be happy to have one more day to sell.

Should be up to the dealers themselves not the state.

Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:55 pm
Listen, - PoolGuy -, I want no one … messing with my Chick-fil-A either! Ever. With respect …

- Soccermom -,

I hear ya, and I undeerstand, and I am also sorry for your loss.

The “Association” is not the “end all / be all”, but whenever I can see an appearance of an indusrty and goverment understanding where each is at, and both seem acceptable to the regulations put upon the industry, and government pleased with industry’s response to the regulations, I tend to want to leave it alone.

Plus Rich and - Tommydanger - got me with the haggle free looks on Sunday bit too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:55 pm
Just because they can open on Sunday doesn’t force them to open Sunday. Or they can be like a lot of restaurants and close Monday/Tuesday.

Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:55 pm
Yeah, it does feel weird to agree with Oberweis, but this idea appeals to my liberaltarian side. No reason for government to regulate the hours that cars can be sold on lots when they aren’t regulating the hours cars can be sold on-line.

I hope he takes this new pro-consumer philosophy to the Senate campaign. Maybe he can run to the left of Durbin on some issues. That’d be fun to watch, wouldn’t it?

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:59 pm
Why not ban sales on Monday so the employees get a day off?

Comment by Jimmy Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:02 pm
Yes repeal the ban. I never understood the logic in the first place.

Comment by Stones Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:02 pm
===Why not ban sales on Monday so the employees get a day off?===

Why not let them stay open and maybe they might hire more employees to cover the extra shift(s)? I mean, even part-time jobs would be welcome in a lot of communities.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:05 pm
Seems there are more important issues the GA should be working on instead. So I voted “no”.

I see this as avoidance of working on the real issues IL needs to solve.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:06 pm
I voted yes. This is a law to close the independent (used car)dealers on Sundays. Let the consumer make the choice if they don’t sell enough the place’s will stay closed or vice versa. Maybe they would put another worker or two on as well. Get the G out of it!

Comment by votecounter Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:07 pm
I’m with Joe and Pete, I vote no.

Comment by Jaded Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:07 pm
Im with Oswego Wiilie. Let’s gut the bill and amend it to open Chick-fil-A on Sunday.

Comment by Kerfuffle Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:11 pm
I voted yes, and like others think they can just close on Monday or Tuesday. I’m with soccermom. We are in the hunt for a car but with our work schedules and the kids’ it would be nice to have two days instead of just one to scope out the cars.

Comment by 32nd Ward Roscoe Village Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:12 pm
Let each individual store can determine their own policy. I couldn’t imagine being a small business owner struggling to get by getting bullied to follow the rules my competitors set. If one dealership in the state wants the change I say this is a worthwhile change to the law.

Comment by bmcosti Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:13 pm
=Forcing Car Dealerships to be open(?) does not sound like “Consumer Friendly” legislation.=

Sorry. Before I answer I want to make sure that I did not miss something. How is the proposed legislation *forcing* car dealerships to open on Sundays?

That’s not snark. I want to make sure that I didn’t miss something.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:14 pm
If one is open on sunday, all will have to be open. Part of the reason for the law was energy conservation. Showrooms are energy hogs.there is no competitive loss if ALL are closed. Up to 14% savings in utilities if all are closed. Plus the employee benefits of time off

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:15 pm
OW
—The “Association” is not the “end all / be all”, but whenever I can see an appearance of an indusrty and goverment understanding where each is at, and both seem acceptable to the regulations put upon the industry, and government pleased with industry’s response to the regulations, I tend to want to leave it alone.
—

In this case I have to disagree. The “Association” is heavy with Big,established, big money dealerships. You think smaller start-ups, guys that want to start a small lot have any say? yet they may benefit from getting the extra day open.

Personally I frown when I see big business buddy up with government with pass a “regulation”. This does NOTHING to increase safety, stop other illegal activities, etc. Like a bunch of big bankers getting rules passed that they can comply with but not smaller banks.

To me the gov should not be in the business of dictating purely business decisions. So what if a sales guy likes Sunday’s off. So do Cops. So do guys watching gauges in plants, so do the stock people at Target.

People laugh when they hear this in other states, of course I also laugh at places like NJ or Oregon where you are not allowed to pump your own gas… Why dont we pass one of those laws? that actually seems to be more in line with a government interest than this does.

Comment by RonOglesby Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:17 pm
As much as it pains me to type “Oberweis is right”, I simply can’t see a legitimate reason to force an industry to be closed on a particular day of the government’s choosing.

Comment by Kruse Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:17 pm
47th Ward ===
Why not let them stay open and maybe they might hire more employees to cover the extra shift(s)? ===

So if they need to raise their proces to cover the extra costs, is that fine with you too?

Comment by Kerfuffle Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:18 pm
Had a parent who worked in the industry (didn’t have to work weekends) but the idea of a day off for everyone wasn’t a bad thing.
When a trade group is saying, lets take a day off it isn’t a bad thing, also I think all of our border states (or at least all of them in the northern half of the state) have the same laws…

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:18 pm
I voted yes. I see no reason why it is legal to sell a car Mon - Sat but not on Sunday. If the dealers don’t want to be open on Sunday, they don’t have to be.

Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:19 pm
==Part of the reason for the law was energy conservation. Showrooms are energy hogs.there is no competitive loss if ALL are closed. Up to 14% savings in utilities if all are closed. Plus the employee benefits of time off ==

All of the above is true for big box stores, malls, movie theatres, etc…yet, we don’t regulate those industries. I would more likely believe the following: at the time this law was passed, car lots were not following the laws that said employees needed at least one day off per week, so this is how that day off was obtained.

Comment by mythoughtis Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:20 pm
The GA should solve the pension crisis first; then deal with the Sunday car sales crisis.

Comment by One of the 35 Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:22 pm
Anonymous 315p is langhorne

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:23 pm
A tough call, I voted yes, the dealers could rotate Sundays, split days off, or hire retired part timers, things that other businesses do. The last car I bought right across the Wisconsin line. Not because of Sundays, but because their price on my new car was over $2000 less then the best Illinois dealer’s price.

Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:23 pm
- RonOglesby -,

===To me the gov should not be in the business of dictating purely business decisions.===

This is not being dictated to, it appears the industry favors/favored the legislation.

I get the “small guy” versus the “Big Indusrty Types” and that interplay, but I stand by my belief that when an indusrty and government can agree on rules and guidelines and regulations, I find it difficult to be wanting to change that.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:24 pm
Agree with Robert Lincon… if I had a spot in the GA, I’d sponsor a bill to close all big box stores on Thanksgiving.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:30 pm
OW,
we just disagree then. I think REGULATION which involves safety, financial legalities etc is a great place for Bus and Gov to find common ground. Passing a law that deals with none of those… I find it hard to swallow that gov should be involved in that. Like I said, why not Pizza, or Big Box electronics stores…

To me this is big guy associations vs small guy.

Comment by RonOglesby Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:30 pm
I too find myself hating the idea that I actually agree with Oberweis, but there is no valid public interest to regulate Sunday sales. This was an initiative sponsored by the dealers. If they don’t want to stay open, let that be their decision not government’s.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:33 pm
Me too Norseman.

Also, Chick Filet is terrible food and the company doesn’t know how to spell.

Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:38 pm
Voted yes. I was around then - it wasn’t passed to give employees a day off. Dealers figured that they were going to sell a fixed number of cars, so why not have 6 days of costs instead of 7. More importantly, however, there was an effort underway then to unionize the salespeople and one of the things the union was promising was to get everyone a day off. The dealers got the law passed and took the wind out of the sail of the organizing effort.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:45 pm
It’s not broke. Let’s not fix it. Just shows why Democrats are so excited that Oberweis may be the Republican nominee for U.S. Senator.

Comment by Mr. Grassroots Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:48 pm
I voted yes to allow freedom to conduct one’s business the way they see fit. If we want a mandated and uniform day off for everybody, then bring back the blue laws.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:48 pm
Tommydanger said it well.

Comment by Agricola Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:50 pm
Thank goodness anonymous answered anonymous. What would we do without the one of you?

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:51 pm
I’m with those that enjoy having a day to look at the cars without a salesman sprinting towards me as I walk through the lot. I was at a lot a few weeks ago on a Saturday and I stayed in my car and just drove around and the salesman was following my car.

Comment by M Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:55 pm
The Sunday auto sales ban allows for a family friendly day off for employees at auto dealerships. So I vote to keep the ban.

Comment by Ruby Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:57 pm
Voted NO. Just don’t like salesmen standing over you while shopping, whether cars or something else. Bought our last car on a Monday, after spending a pleasant, peaceful Sunday afternoon on a couple of lots.

Comment by downstate commissioner Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:58 pm
I say make the law that they can only be open 6 days a week. Let the dealer decide what day to give his employees a day off. Closed on Sunday is tough for folks who can only shop on the weekends.

Comment by new car smell Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:58 pm
A lot of the reasons any regulations exist is because the all powerful free market (which I believe in 95%)will stretch the limits. They will open on Thanksgiving, Christmas and any other day. There are always some people who don’t celebrate those holidays who are willing to open to start the ball rolling. 7-11 used to be open from 7am-11pm which was earlier and later than everyone else. Once pushed, it became 24 hours. People are too busy and can’t get there on Saturday (or any other day)and need Sunday?? This is the “egg” that turned into the chicken. 24 hour commerce is why they’re too busy working all of the extra hours to cover the need for all the consumerism. An extra day will just spread out sales over one more day. Until I read this thread, I’ve never really heard anyone complain about not being able to make a “huge” investment on the one day of the week the place is closed. I have heard plenty of people say they go to car lots to see cars on Sundays because there’s no one there to hassle them. I just don’t hear an outcry. Car Dealer employees work long shifts now. If the association is for it, how anti-capitalist can the regulation be?

Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:03 pm
I voted yes, as a consumer. I recently needed to buy a car, and Sundays were my best day to look and buy. I was enormously frustrated to have to carve out another day from my schedule to take care of that. I can’t be the only other person out there with limited time to look AND buy.

Comment by Archiesmom Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:06 pm
===So if they need to raise their proces to cover the extra costs, is that fine with you too?===

Yes. It’s called the free market. They can charge whatever they want and be open whenever they want. What public interest is served by having a law that regulates their hours?

For certain industries, you can make an argument that the public interest is served by regulating the hours that a private business can operate. We just had the debate about casinos for example, and selling of alcohol at or after certain hours in certain locations. That seems reasonable and serves a public purpose.

But cars on Sunday? I understand those who want the freedom to look at cars without being hassled by pushy salesmen. Tell them you want to be left alone and if they ignore you, take your business elsewhere. The market can figure this out on its own.

I want a law that says my local pizza place has to stay open and deliver 24/7. That doesn’t mean it should be passed though, does it?

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:11 pm
Archiesmom, you’re right. There are 3 of you! lol. Just joshing.

Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:13 pm
=== I voted yes. This is a law to close the independent (used car)dealers on Sundays. ===

Exactly. Even if the “Association” wants it, I gather the Association is comprised mostly of big name, franchised dealerships. A small guy operating a mom n’ pop type lot may want/need to be open on Sundays to better compete. The law prohibiting dealerships to be open on Sundays is indeed anti-consumer.

Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:16 pm
Keep the ban, I like to look on Sundays as well without being hounded. I’m not sure why people need it to be open Sundays. I pulled 2 random dealerships, one in Arlington Heights open 9-9 M-F and 9-7 on Saturday. One in Decatur is 8-8 M-F and 8-5 on Saturday, that’s not enough hours in a week for people to squeeze in car shopping?

Comment by OurMagician Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:18 pm
As I recall, it was the trade groups who hired lobbyist extraordinaire Tom Lyons to get this passed. They wanted a day off but didn’t want all the little guys to stay open and steal their thunder. I never understood how it got through but it has seemed to work.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:27 pm
I voted to keep the ban. At least on Sunday you can shop the lots without being bothered by the salesmen.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:31 pm
Yes. Silly, archaic law.

Comment by PolPal56 Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:31 pm
=If one is open on sunday, all will have to be open.=

Whoever Anonymous 3:15 is, his roots are obviously grounded in the business practices of somewhere else like China or the Russian Federation. Or maybe a certain period in Germany’s history.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:32 pm
How can you look at cars in a closed lot? Don’t the police come by to see what you are doing?

Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:38 pm
I voted, Yes. When the ban was put in place in the late 70s or early 80s (can’t remember exactly when) it was an industry bill. As I recall the debate, a goodly number of dealers didn’t want to be open on Sunday but feared the amount of business they would lose to those choosing to remain open on Sunday. So the legislature approved the bill the industry wanted. It was stupid then and I think repealing it is a smart move for consumers.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:40 pm
Yes, a few years back I worked a regular schedule and my husband worked Tuesday through Saturday. It made car buying an even worse experience because it all had to be done at night. Why should car dealers have special exemption?

Comment by FormerGOPer Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:48 pm
Chavez

I’ve done it before and the only time a Cop bothered me was when i stopped before my midnight shift. I told him what i was doing he told me to have a good night. I think they (dealers) want your drooling on the cars so that you come back later and take on that new car payment.

Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:52 pm
Most people finance their cars and they can’t get financing on Sundays when the banks are closed. Opening on Sundays adds another days of expense without increasing sales. All it does is increase the cost to the consumer.

Comment by SAP Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:52 pm
I have no problem with the state requiring car dealerships to be closed one day a week. I do have a problem with the state mandating WHICH day.

Comment by Joan P. Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:54 pm
=== The Sunday auto sales ban allows for a family friendly day off for employees at auto dealerships. So I vote to keep the ban. ===

Why not give Wal-Mart, Target, Applebee’s, etc. workers Sunday off while we’re at it. Are these workers less deserving of time off with their families than dealer salesmen? There are labor laws dealing with abusive hours, but whether a business stays open on Sunday should be the business’ decision not the government’s.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:54 pm
the law should not be repealed. I don’t shop for anything on Sunday as it is a day of rest. I go to church, then come home and read the newspaper and watch sports on TV. a perfect day. if I want to buy a car, groceries or anything else, I will do it during the other 6 days of the week. old fashioned and certainly not the way society acts today, but it works for me and my family.

Comment by Susiejones Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:57 pm
Repeal the ban. Let the market decide when dealers are open.

Comment by PACKER/ND FAN Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:58 pm
Ridiculous old law. Time for it to go. It is 2013, right?

And I’m still semi-traumatized with the fact that I agree with Oberweis on something. Guess I have the topic for my therapy appointment this week.

Comment by Left Leaner Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 5:00 pm
=so if they need to raise prices to cover the extra costs…?= Don’t believe everything a car dealer says about their “invoice dealer cost”.
The dealer in Wisconsin let me in on a couple of things, when GM has a $1500 back 4th of July sale for example, GM actually additionally gives the dealer $1500 as well as an incentive. So the dealer could give the customer $3000 off the price. I asked some Illinois dealers about that and they did not deny it, they would try to change the subject real fast. It seems there is an unwritten “gentlemen’s agreement” among most Illinois dealers. They all try to get you to pay as much as possible, after that, they will go down on the price only to an agreed (among Illinois dealers) total amount. Maybe no actual agreement, but they all know what the other dealers will do, and they lockstep with them. They were all pi–ed off to hear a Wis. dealer not only undercut them but told me how they (IL dealers) could have easily matched the Wis. price.

Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 5:01 pm
I voted No, because I like to leisurely check out the inventory after church, without salespersons descending upon me like a cloud of locusts.

Comment by Noper Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 5:02 pm
===Dealers figured that they were going to sell a fixed number of cars, so why not have 6 days of costs instead of 7.===

Why stop there? Pass a law that they can only sell cars on Tuesdays, then they’ll only have one day of overhead instead of six!

Overturn the silly law already.

Comment by Ken_in_Aurora Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 5:06 pm
The banks have never been open when I’ve purchased cars in the evening. The dealers can deal with the financing issue if they open on Sunday.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 5:09 pm
===Why stop there? Pass a law that they can only sell cars on Tuesdays, then they’ll only have one day of overhead instead of six!===

That’s the same fallacious reasoning against tax hikes. Only 2 percentage points? Why stop there? Why not make it 50?

It’s childish reasoning.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 5:10 pm
…which is what I was pointing out by satirizing the quoted post. Sheesh, Rich.

Comment by Ken_in_Aurora Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 5:15 pm
To clarify my point - Sunday salesmen free browsing doesn’t qualify as sound reasoning for imposing a legal ban on sales.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 5:17 pm
Gotta speak up for folks from my old hometown.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 5:19 pm
No. I’m tired of the 24/7 pace. It’s not necessary.

Comment by Belle Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 5:20 pm
This seems sort of like an attempt at legalized collusion, but I’m okay with it.

Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 6:00 pm
I admit I’m childish in voting no…Anything Oberweis is for, I am against.

Comment by peacelover Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 6:00 pm
I have sold cars for 10 years, and I voted no. On one hand, it appeals to be available to our customers on what is usually a day off for people. That said, I believe we are available enough for the public. Sunday off is the only guaranteed day we have off we end up working the other day off much of the time. Let’s keep things the way they are!

Comment by Will E. Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 6:22 pm
I VOTE NO!!!! I have been in the business for over 18yrs and I moved to ILL for the blue law. I worked 7 days a week and 12 to 18hrs a day because when the dealership was open you had to be there. It is not fair to the empployees or thier families. Take a survey of how many people have lost the families by how many hours are required to work in the dealership. It is a guaranteed day for family time to make up for all the hours you are required to be there thru the week.

Comment by FINANCELADY Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 6:35 pm
Last four vehicles I bought over the internet.. Some dealer internet sales folks monitor sites 24/7. Who needs Sundays. give office and sales folks a rest.

Comment by One day at a time Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 7:02 pm
Come on people, Gov’t didn’t want dealers closed, dealers wanted to be closed, reduce overhead, lowering costs to consumers, attracting better salespeople with more reasonable hours, better family life for all employees. Mr. Oberweis, don’t you have more pressing issues to solve in this state?? This won’t be a feather in your cap to help you win U.S. Senate seat, find some real issues to resolve.

Comment by gomilkacow Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 7:39 pm
I’m hard put to think of a worse vote I cast during my legislative career than mandating the closure of car dealerships on Sunday. It’s worse than the “blue laws” in some jurisdictions banning alcohol sales on Sunday. Repeal it!!

Comment by Former Senator Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 7:40 pm
I voted no as a wife of a man in the car business and a Mom of 3 this would take more time away from our family.

Comment by Jaime Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 7:45 pm
Some of the people who say yes are really missing the point. If its not broke why are you trying to fix it. How happy would you be if you were made to work 9-12 more hours a week with nothing extra in your pay check. Sundays was never a big day and all your going to have is people waiting on you that don’t want o be there. Dealers that have to cover more expense that will be passed on to you. Does not sound like a very good deal.

Comment by budeone Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 7:50 pm
Former Senator, That’s maybe why your a former senator, you can form full sentences!!

Comment by gomilkacow Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 8:32 pm
It appears between 11 to 14 states have some sort of “No Car Sales on ‘X’…” on the books.

The reasons cited are ones listed;

* Day to browse without sales people hanging on you
* Day of rest for a 6 day work week, which can be include a 12 hour day for some

* Blue Law history

Illinois is not alone in having a “day” restriction, the industry “Association” favors the Sunday close policy, and when an “Association” of an industry and Government can work together on a regulatory issue, big or small, I am for it.

- Oneman - is right, I believe border states of Illinois, many, have the same rules.

I only point this out, not that Illinois needs to be a “lemming” and must follow these states, I only point out - OneMan -’s observation as this regulation is also not foreign to the Midwest.

This point does not to make the point stronger or weaker, or that Sunday close is better because of these border states’ shared regulation. It is what you make of it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 8:45 pm
My understanding is Republicans generally support family values. It is difficult to see a Republican asking people to stay away from their family another day a week. These hard working people from the cashiers, porters, salespeople and managers deserve some time to be home and raise a family.

Comment by budeone Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 8:47 pm
You know another reason to have it up to the dealer is some people have shabbat on Saturday and other days rather than Sunday. Jews, Seventh Day Adventists (both have Saturday sabbaths) and Muslims (Friday) don’t celebrate a Sunday sabbath, so maybe businesses owned by these adherents might prefer their own day of rest off. Also, the customers that are of these faiths might like to shop on Sunday.

Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 8:56 pm
I don’t see a problem in giving dealers the
option of being open if they wish. Who else
is told that they can’t be open on Sunday if
they wish?

Comment by Esteban Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 9:13 pm
I am stunned by the responses to this QOTD, totally surprised and caught off guard by comments from posters I thought I knew. For whatever reason, this issue cuts an odd path through preconceived notions of Democrat and Republican, liberal or conservative, big government and small government, nanny state vs. Ayn Rand individualism.

This is so perplexing to me, and the fact that so many of these comments bother me on a basic level makes me feel like I must be the one out of step and the rest of you are normal.

Except Norseman, who clearly sees it properly.

Rich, this might be the most interesting question ever. With more than 110 comments, it’s clear people have strong feelings about this. I never would have guessed.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 9:37 pm
- 47th Ward -

Great Post.I was shocked at the number of responses as well, the volume.

I would like to think that the responses also indicate less of what you point out as well.

Your first paragraph really cut to the quick many of the celar differences found in politics and with this QOTD you have that element present.

I found myself on the end of “No” having less to do with Ayn Rand or Nanny State, although a very strong case can be made that a “No” is allowing a Nanny State mentality to grow. I see it as something where working together, indusrty and government, a balance is trying to be found.

Red and Blue states alike have his regualtion.

New Jersey to Texas, New York to Wisonsin.

Both sides, agueing the points, but no clear ideology ruling the day, exepct the notion of a “day” closed.

I have been wrong before, I will be wrong again, and wrong many times again, that I do know for sure. I have not found myself as - Soccermom - finds herself and her family needing Sunday to buy a car. I can’t speak to that. I guess falling back on the practice the “Association” advoated for, and with its request not seemingly out of sorts, and the rationale seemingly plausable, I come at it from intrusion of repealing, and not liberating by changing.

This is isolated to this QOTD, and I hope that I would get a chance to look at other questions as a stand alone, and not have it believed that every instance ….”every” … deserves the same support or not.

I am with you - 47th Ward -, very interesting and telling, and where those commments came, as I am only refering to my own.

I still think I agree over 80% of the time with my friends, My Party … Republicans, and if deciding if a car dealership is allowed to sell me a “Low Milage Car owned by a lady from Pasadena who only drove back and forth to Church” is a Litmus Test, I guess I would have just not taken the test.

Much respect, great take - 47th Ward -

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:15 pm
In 1987, Sen. Grace Mary Stern (D) propesed a repeal of the law.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-04-12/business/8701280956_1_ban-on-sunday-car-car-salesman-car-dealers

Jim Oberweis and Grace Mary Stern …

Maybe … Maybe, - 47th Ward -, that might speak more to this than any of our Posts could(?)

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:29 pm
Thanks Willy. Maybe it’s because I live near Western Avenue in Chicago, one of the few areas in the city zoned for car sales, that makes me sympathetic to the mom and pop Indy car lots. Or maybe it’s because Used Cars is one of my favorite movies of all time, but I can’t help but think “the industry” that partnered with government on this Sunday sales ban was looking out for everybody. Level the playing field and let the market figure it out. I’m a Democrat, obviously if anyone pays attention to my comments, and I can usually justify some form of government intervention in the market somewhere, somehow. But this one? I don’t see it.

So Kurt Russell was a Disney Studio star, locked into a ridiculous contract like so many Big studio stars in the 70s. When he finally got out, he wanted to be in a bawdy comedy to knock down whatever goody-two-shoes stereotype his Disney roles created for him. He picked Robert Zemeckis’ brilliant comedy whose screenplay was produced by none other than Steven Spielberg. I know we talked a lot about favorite movies yesterday, but this is one to watch for the political junkies out there. With dialogue like this, any fan of Illinois politics will love this film:

Rudy: “There’s an opening for state senate. The machine is looking for a fresh face, someone with no axes to grind, who wants to tell the people exactly what they want to hear. They’re looking for me! I talked to the party chairman last week. Sixty grand buys me the nomination.”

Luke: “Sixty grand is all it takes these days?”

Rudy: “No, that’s like a down payment. Once I’m in we go 50-50 on all the graft I take in. It’s politics Luke!”

How can any fan of this blog not love Used Cars?

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:56 pm
- 47th Ward -

I “may” have seen Used Cars a time … or nine.

To your Post,

Being a Democrat, in Illinois, today, you do not need to expalin any stance you may have and fear you will be questioned to the loyalty of your party. That, must be nice. Proximity plays a role in shaping us, otherwise external factors would never come into play as we live, grow, and learn.

I hope I was agreeable as we disagree. That is waht mnakes this place what it is, make the “arguement” without making an arguement break out.

I learn alot here, especially by those posting as they are, bringing thier own backgrounds and beliefs, making their case, and by keeping my own eyes open, I learn more than Posting.

This is where we take a “shot” and chase it with a beer and “move on” to Used Cars…but what a QOTD.

Much respect.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 11:06 pm
Right back at ya, Willy. Thanks for the knowledge about Grace Mary Stern too. That is going to help me sleep better tonight.

Until I think about the fact that Jim Oberweis agrees with her too…

Yep, I’m gonna need a shot with that beer after all.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 11:15 pm
No, a career in sales ( especially in car sales) is unlike any other. Most car sales people are not on a schedule where a day off is guranteed. If the dealer is open, then as a salesman or woman you are working. Whether at the actual store or on your phone. I can’t even count how many times that I have had to go in on my day off to meet a customer. A day that the dealer is closed prevents that all together. People in the car business have little time as is to spend time with family or accomplish life activities.

Another point that I have seen made is the choice of being open. As with any business that is not as simple as many may think. If one dealer decides to be open , then it becomes a domino effect and eventually all will be. This law is essential to us in the car business in order to maintain a life

Comment by Sam Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 11:23 pm
@Sam
You really have hit it on the head. This is like no her business. If one dealer is open they all will. People do not understand it may take weeks to sell a customer a car and when they come in the buy it you need to be there. You have to be there on Sunday and tell your wife you cant go to Church? You tell your kids you cant go to the ballgame now? You have little notice when someone says they are coming in to buy a car. You drop everything and go into work. Sunday is the only day you can make plans and know you wont be called it. The parents of people saying the dealers should be open should probably go and talk to a few sales people in the business and see what its all about.

Comment by budeone Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 7:07 am
no one will see this as i am writing it on thursday

But you all have a major flaw in your arguments. You keep assuming that the law which mandates the closure is meeting the will of the sellers becuase it prohibits them from deciding if they want to be open; and that repealing the law would require them to be open.

Repeal the law and let the indistry decide if it wants to be open on sunday. I abhor this kind of governemtn regualtion. Same for no liquor sales on sunday or before noon on sunday.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 8:35 am
@ - Ghost .. It would be great if it worked that way but it does not. If they change the law the dealers will be all open and can you imagine how many people will hate picking up the phone and have three of four car salespeople calling them Sunday at 9:00 am?

Comment by budeone Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 9:02 am
We have more pressing issues in this state besides opening car dealerships on Sunday. Their organization doesn’t even support it. First big Jim wants speed limits to 70 and now this issue.
Lets deal with some real issues like overspending in the state. Besides, state employees will probably have their pensions reduced so they won’t have money to buy cars on any day or gas to drive 70 mph. He dosen’t care about anything!

Comment by Union Man Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 9:21 am
Repeal it.
Let each dealership decide their own operation days and hours.

Comment by JustMe_JMO Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 9:23 am