Cadillac is 'here to stay'
JOLIET -- U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson stopped at the Bill Jacobs car dealership Monday to celebrate a successful campaign to keep the Cadillac brand in Joliet.
"It's a million dollars in revenue that the city of Joliet couldn't lose, and its 15 to 20 jobs," Halvorson said.
When the Crete Democrat learned the dealership was selling 15 percent more Cadillacs than the goal set by GM, she said she had to do something to change the minds of GM executives who wanted to pull the brand from Will County. She wrote a letter to GM asking that they reverse their decision.
"It was just plain old wrong," she said. "I wasn't about to let that happen."
The effort was successful and Bill Jacobs found out in early October that his Cadillac dealership at 2001 W. Jefferson St. would not be terminated as planned by GM.
Halvorson's help was crucial, "especially on the national scene," said Brad Wise, the dealership's general sales manager.
"We put it in her hands to bring it up the (GM) ladder," he said.
"We have such a great team here that if there is any success at all, it's because of them," she said. "(Also) the city of Joliet has come forward, and it's quite touching to have them respond like that."
Charles Hanus, president of the Will-Grundy Counties Central Trades and Labor Council, said the Cadillac campaign is a "shining example" of business, labor and government working together.
Russ Slinkard, CEO of the Joliet chamber, said the reversal by GM is great for the city and the county.
"This is a job saver," he said. "Saving a business is crucial. It would have been unbelievable to have no Cadillac dealership in Joliet."
Mary Lu Silk agreed. The Joliet woman has been driving Cadillacs for 20 years. When she heard the Cadillac dealership in Joliet was in jeopardy, she was upset and vowed to switch car brands. Silk didn't want to have to drive more than an hour to the nearest Cadillac dealership for service.
"I love the way the people treat you here," she said. "To come in here and spend money is almost a pleasure."
All Saturn dealerships will be closed as of October 2010 because no buyer could be found for the brand. Wise said he hired four of that dealership's employees, however, and is welcoming all area Saturn owners who need a new place to service their vehicles.
Wise said Monday's gathering was a way to celebrate some positive news and to kick off what he hopes are better days ahead.
"It was a good way to get the word out that Cadillac is here to stay in Joliet -- and we're here to stay."
