(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The village of Skokie has put the brakes on a planned Carvana vending machine tower as the used-auto company faces regulatory issues with the state of Illinois and other problems.
A letter from the village to Carvana representatives in Tempe, Arizona said permits have not been issued for the project because the plans are missing information.
Village officials also note the state of Illinois has suspended the company from selling cars over regulatory issues, so Carvana is not complying with its agreement to meet state and federal laws and regulations.
The communication dated Monday and signed by Skokie’s corporation counsel, Michael Lorge, comes as opponents of the Carvana tower are holding out hope the project would not see fruition.
Carvana recently announced it’s laying off 2,500 employees and slashing spending.
Kim Polka organized a letter-writing campaign before village trustees approved a zoning change in February.
“People are just watching and waiting, and until that ground breaks I think there’s a lot of people who don’t feel like it’s a done deal,” she said. “Almost done, but not done until they’ve broken ground.”
She says other residents – and bird enthusiasts who fear that the animals will collide with the tower — are trying to see if there is anything they can do to halt the project.
Illinois Secretary of State police temporarily suspended Carvana’s dealer’s license, meaning the company cannot sell vehicles in the state until it resolves issues.
It can still deliver cars that have already been purchased.
A spokesperson said Carvana has been a good corporate citizen for several years and disagrees with the state.
“We look forward to resolving this issue with minimal disruption to customers,” she said.
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