A 2.2-cent gas tax increase scheduled for July has been postponed until after the election. | RODNAE Productions/Pexels
A 2.2-cent gas tax increase scheduled for July has been postponed until after the election. | RODNAE Productions/Pexels
Rep. Tom Weber (R-Fox Lake) criticized Illinois Democrats for forcing gas stations to put stickers on gas pumps.
The 2.2-cent gas tax increase scheduled for July was postponed until after the election.
"Illinois is providing 'relief' so small you won't notice it," Weber said in a Facebook post. "So, they're forcing private businesses to make you notice it. Absolutely shameful and self-serving of the Democrats."
Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) doubled Illinois' gas tax from 19 cents to 38 cents in 2019, according to Fox 32. Pritzker also instituted an annual gas tax increase.
Democrats recently passed legislation that will postpone this year's scheduled gas tax increase from July of this year to January 2023, Fox 32 reported.
The bill will require gas stations to put stickers on gas pumps notifying Illinoisans of the postponement.
Gas stations will be fined $500 per day if they refuse to display the stickers.
Josh Sharp of the Illinois Fuel and Retail Association called the mandatory stickers "free election-year advertising for the governor," Fox 32 said.
Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Oswego) in mid-March filed HB 5723, which would have capped Illinois' gas tax at 18 cents per gallon. Weber is a co-sponsor of the legislation, as well as many other House Republicans, including Deanne Mazzochi, Chris Bos, Tim Ozinga, Jackie Haas, and Keith Wheeler.
The average price of a gallon of regular gas in Illinois was $4.32 as of April 13, according to AAA, up from $3.06 one year ago. In the Chicago metro area, gas prices average $4.46 per gallon.
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