(815 ILCS 710/9) (from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 759)

Sec. 9. Renewals; transfers.

(a) Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, it shall be unlawful for the manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor or franchiser without good cause, to fail to renew a franchise on terms then equally available to all its motor vehicle dealers, or to terminate a franchise or restrict the transfer of a franchise until the franchisee shall receive fair and reasonable compensation for the value of the business and business premises.

(b) For the purposes of this Section 9, the term "reasonable compensation" includes, but is not limited to all of the following items:

(1) An amount equal to the current, fair rental value of the portion of the motor vehicle dealer's established place of business that is used for motor vehicle sales and service with the manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor or franchiser for a period of one year beginning on the date of the nonrenewal, termination, or restriction on the transfer of the franchise.

(2) The franchisee's cost of each new undamaged and unsold current and prior year motor vehicles that were acquired within 12 months of termination and have 500 or fewer miles recorded on the odometer that are in the franchisee's inventory at the time of nonrenewal, termination, or restriction and that were purchased or acquired from the manufacturer or from another dealer of the same line make in the ordinary course of business.

(3) The franchisee's cost of each new, unused, undamaged, and unsold part or accessory that is in the current parts catalogue or is identical to a part or accessory in the current parts catalogue except for the number assigned to the part or accessory due to a change in the number after the purchase of the part or accessory and that is still in the original, resalable merchandising package and in an unbroken lot, except that, in the case of sheet metal, a comparable substitute for the original package may be used if the part or accessory was purchased (i) directly from the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, or officer, agent, or other representative thereof or (ii) from an outgoing authorized dealer as a part of the dealer's initial inventory.

(4) The fair market value of each undamaged sign owned by the dealer that bears a trademark or trade name used or claimed by the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, or officer, agent, or other representative thereof that was purchased as a requirement of the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, or officer, agent, or other representative thereof.

(5) The fair market value of all special tools, data processing equipment, and automotive service equipment owned by the dealer that (i) were recommended in writing and designated as special tools and equipment, (ii) were purchased at the request of the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, or officer, agent, or other representative thereof, and (iii) are in usable and good condition except for reasonable wear and tear.

(6) The cost of transporting, handling, packing, storing, and loading any property that is subject to repurchase under this Section.

This subsection (b) shall not apply to a non-renewal or termination that is implemented as a result of a sale of the assets or stock of the franchise.

(c) The payment under item (b)(1) is due in 12 equal, monthly installments, beginning 30 days after the franchise is terminated or nonrenewed. The payments under items (b)(2) through (b)(6) are due no later than 90 days after the franchise is terminated or nonrenewed. As a condition of payment under items (b)(2) through (b)(6), the motor vehicle dealer must comply with all reasonable requirements provided by the manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler regarding the return of inventory.

If a manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler does not reimburse the motor vehicle dealer for the amounts required under items (b)(2) through (b)(6) by the deadlines under this subsection (c), and the Board or, if agreed to under Section 12, the arbitrator, finds the manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler in violation of this subsection, then the manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler shall, in addition to any other amounts due, pay the motor vehicle dealer:

(1) interest on the amount due at a rate reasonable in light of commercial practices, determined by the Board or arbitrator; and

(2) reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

(Source: P.A. 96-11, eff. 5-22-09; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)