McHenry Times

Motorists’ bank accounts across the United States are feeling the strain from the record-breaking gas prices — Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) has proposed a way to help them.

“Consumers need relief right now, and this common-sense legislation provides tangible relief without negatively affecting the state’s anticipated revenues for the coming year,” Wilcox said in a release. “If we do nothing, motorists will continue paying outrageous prices at the pump, and come July when the state sales tax is recalculated, taxes will soar to unbelievable levels. This money should remain with taxpayers who are already struggling to keep pace with record-level inflation.”

Wilcox is co-sponsoring SB 4195, which would immediately cap the state’s sales tax on motor fuel at 18 cents per gallon, according to a release from Wilcox’s office. This measure would save Illinois taxpayers almost $1 billion during the next fiscal year while continuing to provide funding for the state's infrastructure projects.

“Illinois is one of just seven states that charge a sales tax on top of the gas tax,” he said.

The average price of a regular gallon of gas in Illinois was $4.325 on March 14, according to AAA, up from $2.859 one year ago.

Illinoisans pay the second-highest gas tax in the country, according to Illinois Policy. In 2019, Gov. Pritzker doubled the state gas tax from 19 cents to 38 cents.