Home Generator Reimbursement Plan in the Works

Des Plaines residents will likely be able to get a city rebate for their purchase of home generators within the next month.

Record flooding and summer storms drove many residents to purchase generators this summer to keep sump pumps and essential electrical home appliances running during power outages, said Des Plaines city officials.  Many homeowners in the area suffered severe water damage and went days without power.

The rebate proposal was introduced at last night’s city council meeting, and officials now have to work out the details of the plan, which will be discussed at the next meeting.

Earlier:

As is, the program would allow for up to a $250 rebate for portable generators that run on gasoline and manually connect to appliances, and $400 for standby generators, larger units capable of powering an entire house in the event of an outage.  Officials also discussed waiving permit fees for those who install standby generators. 

Acting City Manager Jason Slowinski said $15,000 from the city’s general fund would be allocated to the rebate program, enough to cover 60 reimbursements for portable generators.

Several residents showed up to support the plan, saying they’ve struggled through the storms and flooding.

Resident Susan Czach, 62, said she has lost power five times for prolonged periods since April 2010, and while she has had the help of neighbors, she said she wants a fair program in place that will help people. 

“I’ve lived here since 1987 [and past storms] are nothing like what we’ve had since April of 2010,” Czach said.

Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten said he was opposed to the program, calling it “fiscally irresponsible.”  The neediest people wouldn’t be served under this plan and residents who already own generators could use this program to help pay for a new generator, Walsten added.

Fifth Ward Alderman James Brookman and others discussed adding income restrictions to the program, which would exclude residents with higher incomes.

Officials also discussed if and how they should retroactively reimburse residents who purchased generators earlier this year.  Some aldermen said they opposed retroactive payments, while others said they thought it was the only fair way to implement the program.

“What do you tell individuals who have had flooding the past two months?” said Fourth Ward Alderman Dick Sayad.  “We have to include them.”

Other aldermen wanted to know what would happen to residents who have been put on a waiting list for this program.

If and when the program begins, residents will likely have to bring in their receipt and UPC labels from their generator purchase and fill out paperwork at City Hall to be reimbursed.

Separately, Des Plaines has a Flood Rebate Program in place that allows residents to complete projects that prevent flooding in their home.  Example projects include overhead sewer systems and replacing basement windows with Glass Block windows.

Residents can receive a 30 percent rebate on project costs, according to the city's website. The maximum rebate is $2,000 and there are no income restrictions on this program, Slowinski said.

“We made a commitment to stop the flooding anyway we could,” said Mayor Martin Moylan, who said he supports the program.  “This is another arrow in our quiver to stop the devastation.”