Doubled Tax Increases!?

Earlier this year, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker pushed against the gas tax increase by placing a 6 month hold on the scheduled hike. His goal was to relieve Illinois families from further financial stress. As published by My State Line reporter, John Clark, “Pritzker hoped that the initiative might ease the effects of inflation on residents.” Initially postponed to January 1 of this year, a bill coming from Springfield has proposed that the hike in gas tax be pushed back an additional 6 months. 

Across the country, gas prices are decreasing; but Illinois remains number two in terms of how much its residents have to pay to fill up their tanks. With California in the lead, Illinois’ prices show no real stopping point. Without taking the increases into consideration, Illinois still comes in with second place for highest gas taxing. Illinois Policy’s assistant editor, Dylan Sharkey, reported that “gas tax hikes disproportionately hurt lower-income residents, who give up a larger percentage of their paycheck to pay for gas,” adding that, “in Pritzker’s first year as governor, he doubled the per-gallon tax from 19 cents to 38 cents, plus added automatic annual hikes.” What is most interesting might be that Pritzker’s campaign ads mislead people. While his ads seemed to promote tax policies, Pritzker’s ability to fulfill that advertisement has diminished. Instead of helping Illinoisains pay less for their everyday expenses, is he just perpetuating the increase? 

As the holidays approach, Dylan Sharkley said it best: “For those traveling within Illinois, head out of Chicago before you stop for gas. City and county taxes add $3.83 to a 15-gallon fill-up over what drivers will pay outside Cook County.”