McHenry Times

As Illinoisans continue to feel the financial pinch amid another report of record inflation, state Sen. Donald DeWitte (R-St. Charles) is calling upon the state's Democrat lawmakers to consider meaningful tax relief. 

According to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) summary released on July 13 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, costs have risen 9.1% in the last year, marking a 40-year high. Just in the past month, energy prices increased by 7.5%, gas prices jumped 11.2% and the cost of food rose by 1%. Compared to the last year, gas prices are up almost 60%, while the cost of food has risen by 10.4%.

"Enough is enough," DeWitte said in his Legislative News post on his website. "Legislators in Illinois have the ability to provide some real relief. If and when lawmakers return to Springfield for a special session, the General Assembly must enact legislation that puts real money back into the pockets of struggling Illinois families."

DeWitte added some suggestions, including capping the state's sales tax on motor fuel at 18 cents and getting rid of state sales tax for groceries and medicine.

"I am a leading co-sponsor of this legislation. It was filed months ago and continues to be ignored by the Majority Party," DeWitte said.

Back in 2019, Pritzker doubled the state's gas tax from 19 to 38 cents a gallon. He also helped establish an annual gas tax increase. According to Fox 32 Chicago, Illinois Democrats passed a bill that postponed this year's 2.2-cent gas tax increase from this month to the beginning of next year. However, the bill required gas stations to place stickers explaining the delay on gas pumps, or face a fine. Critics like The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association President and CEO Josh Sharp called the requirement "free election year advertising." Illinois Policy noted the delay was part of a bundle of tax rebates and delays in the FY 23 budget, which is estimated to save the average family around $556. 

"The Governor appears to be satisfied publicly touting his temporary elimination of the sales tax on groceries and a six-month delay on the state's two-cent inflationary motor fuel tax," DeWitte said. 

It's been four months since DeWitte and Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) introduces legislation that would place an immediate cap on the state gas tax and save taxpayers nearly $1 billion, according to a release from Dewitte's office. 

It also noted Illinois is one of 7 states in the country to charge a sales tax on top of the state gas tax.

According to Illinois Policy, Illinoisans are paying about $4,386 more on the same services and goods this year compared to what they paid in 2021. In gas alone, the average Illinois resident is expected to pay $1,122 more, $504 extra on groceries and an additional $280 on utilities.