McHenry Times

Illinois state Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) is calling on the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to join the growing list of those seeking a repeal of the recently enacted gas tax. 

“We all support infrastructure improvements but there are some big problems with the current capital bill,” Skillicorn said in a statement. “For starters, not all of the money is going to roads and bridges. A lot of money is going to pork projects like water parks and other projects that should not be prioritized at this time.”

The state’s gas tax doubled to 38 cents per gallon as part of the $45 billion spending plan that was enacted earlier this year. In his press statement, Skillicorn also called attention to the fact Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago), until recently the head of the Senate Transportation Committee, is now under federal investigation as part of a corruption probe.

“We need assurance that the additional money taxpayers are paying to fill up their tanks is not going to fuel the culture of corruption in Illinois,” Skillicorn said. “I understand that the Chamber of Commerce supports infrastructure improvements, but I do not understand why their support for this policy should supersede their opposition to corruption and high taxes.”