Advocating on behalf of Illinois franchised new-car dealers remained a top priority for the Chicago Automobile Trade Association throughout the 2026 spring legislative session.
Working alongside the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association (IADA), the CATA focused its efforts on strengthening Illinois’ Motor Vehicle Franchise Act and increasing the state’s documentary fee cap.
One of CATA’s primary goals was advancing legislation to prevent established manufacturers from creating new brands to sell vehicles directly to consumers while bypassing their franchised dealer networks. Although the proposed legislation was not called for a vote before the spring session concluded, the CATA will continue working with the IADA to pursue franchise protections in future legislative sessions.
The CATA also continued to advocate for an increase in Illinois’ documentary fee cap, emphasizing that the state’s current cap remains lower than in many neighboring states and does not reflect the growing administrative and compliance costs dealerships face.
Advocacy efforts also extended to Washington, D.C., where CATA representatives met with federal lawmakers during the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Legislative Conference to discuss issues impacting franchised dealers nationwide.
The association also exceeded its goal for NADA PAC contributions, helping support lawmakers who champion policies that protect the dealer franchise system.
The CATA remains committed to advocating for policies that strengthen Illinois dealerships and protect the franchise system on behalf of its members.
