CHICAGO—
Illinois' "Cash for Appliances" program is over.It was so successful, it took just 11-hours for the program to run out of cash.
The federal government gave Illinois $6.2 million to discount refrigerators, washers, dishwashers and air conditioners for customers interested in doing something good for the environment.
The plan was designed to help a struggling home appliance market, too.
And it worked... people at at 670 stores all over Illinois lined up to get a crack at new energy-saving appliances.
Retailers reported brisk sales all day.
Anyone buying these big-ticket items labeled with the "Energy Star" received a 15% discount on in-store purchases and shoppers turning in an old refrigerator could get a $75 rebate.
At 7 pm, the state halted the program when the money ran out.
