Generator Reimbursement Program to Start Sept. 19

Des Plaines City Council members approved a plan that will reimburse residents for portable and home generator purchases at Tuesday's city council meeting. The vote was 6-2 in favor of the program with Alderman Mark Walsten, 6th Ward, and Alderman James Brookman, 5th Ward, opposed.

Starting Sept. 19 residents that purchased generators on or after June 22, or plan to purchase a generator, can fill out an application at City Hall.  Reimbursement isn’t guaranteed and applications for new purchases must be preapproved, city officials said.

City officials allocated $7,500 for retroactive reimbursements and $15,000 for current reimbursements, totaling $22,500 for the program.

Residents that purchased portable generators can be reimbursed for 50 percent of the cost, with a maximum reimbursement of $250. Those with standby generators will be reimbursed $400. The permit fee of $250 for standby generators will be waived once a generator is installed and inspected by city officials.

Earlier: 

The program drew a lot of criticism at last night’s meeting. Some residents and city officials said it won’t help the neediest residents and invites the opportunity for inappropriate spending. Critics also pointed out that it will help relatively few residents.

As is, the program would reimburse about 110 residents $200 for portable generator purchases. Retroactive reimbursements will be available until Dec. 2, or when funds run out.

Residents at last night’s meeting said their neighbors plan to replace their old generators and get reimbursed for their purchases. 

“This is a bad system all around,” said resident Ronald Moore. “This is an invitation to greed and fraud.”

A few other residents echoed his sentiments, and said the city won’t be able to know who is abusing the system.

City officials said they have no way of knowing how many people will apply for reimbursements. If there is a huge interest city officials said they would come to the council and ask for additional funding.

Residents and some aldermen also discussed adding a need-based component to the program, making it more equitable by taking in applications through a lottery, but the idea was nixed.

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