McHenry Times

When they read new state stickers at gas pumps in Illinois about tax relief, motorists should remember that the "relief' is really just a postponement, State Sen. Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) said in a recent newsletter to constituents.

"This mandate is nothing more than an election-year gimmick by the Governor, who is trying to trick consumers into thinking he is providing them with relief," the senator wrote. "Instead, consumers will now be faced with two tax increases in 2023—one in January and another in July. I was a leading sponsor of an alternative plan to provide real, meaningful relief at the pump, which would save consumers about 16 cents per gallon."   

Gov. J.B. Pritzker doubled Illinois' gas tax from 19 cents to 38 cents in 2019, Fox 32 reported. Pritzker also instituted an annual gas tax increase. Illinois Democrats have passed legislation that will postpone this year's scheduled gas tax increase of 2.2 cents from July to January, the station said.

 The bill requires 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, President and CEO of the Illinois Fuel and Retail Association, called the mandatory stickers "free election year advertising for the Governor," Fox 32 said.

 The gas tax increase delay is part of a bundle of tax rebates and delays in the record $46.5 billion FY 23 budget, according to the nonprofit organization, Illinois Policy. The tax rebates and delays will save the average Illinois family $556. The 2.2 cents increase to the gas tax will take effect Jan. 2023, and will be followed by another increase in July 2023, which likely will be of 3.8 cents per gallon, bringing Illinois' total gasoline tax up to 45.2 cents per gallon, the organization said.

 The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association (IFRA) is suing over the sticker mandate, seeking a temporary restraining order for when the bill takes effect, The Center Square reported. “At the end of the day, we hope to get the law permanently struck down, but in the meantime, we’re looking for hopefully a temporary restraining order against the state from enforcing this law when it goes into effect July 1,” IFRA President Josh Sharp told The Center Square.

 In March, DeWitte and State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) introduced SB  4195, which would immediately cap the state’s sales tax on motor fuel at 18 cents per gallon, according to a news release from DeWitte's office. This measure would save Illinois taxpayers almost $1 billion during the next fiscal year. The release noted that Illinois is one of only 7 states in the country that charges a sales tax on top of its gas tax.                   

 The average cost of a gallon of regular gas in Illinois is a record-high $5.001 as of May 31, according to AAA, up from $3.275 one year ago. In McHenry County, gas prices average $4.987.