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Home Depot saleswoman Susan McKenzie, left, explains the appliance rebate program to customer Angel Robles of Chicago. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
Anyone hoping to cash in on Friday’s federal stimulus money which allowed for a 15 percent discount on energy-saving appliances had to show up to stores early — very early.
The Illinois Retail Merchants Association confirmed this morning that the $3 million in federal money to support energy-efficient appliances was gone in about two hours. The group shut the program down at 10:30 a.m.
“This made Black Friday look like a Tuesday in July,” Illinois Retail Merchants Association President David F. Vite said in a statement. “Sales have never been so brisk in Illinois.” Get the full story »