Illinois’ sobering ‘sin taxes’ are among the nation’s highest this New Year’s

By Joe Barnas

12/23/2020

Excise taxes have failed to improve Illinoisans’ health while creating an undue burden for those with the least. But lawmakers have yet to kick the habit.

TAGS: alcohol tax, cigarette tax, gas tax, sin taxes

Chicago drivers to see third gas tax increase in 18 months

By Ben Szalinski

12/15/2020

Chicago leaders are using another gas tax hike to help fill a budget hole driven by pensions. Total gas taxes and fees are closing in on $1 per gallon.

TAGS: Chicago, gas tax, Lori Lightfoot

Gas tax, property tax, ticket and fee hikes all part of Lightfoot budget

By Ben Szalinski

12/04/2020

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is trying to raise revenue to close large revenue gaps partially brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, gas tax, Lori Lightfoot, property tax, property taxes

DuPage County, Chicago drivers facing new gas tax hikes

By Ben Szalinski

11/21/2020

The same law that doubled Illinois’ gas tax is now being used by DuPage County and Chicago to fill revenue shortfalls from COVID-19.

TAGS: Chicago, DuPage County, gas tax

Transportation spending shows ‘fair tax’ ripe for waste

By Ben Szalinski

09/15/2020

Politicians pledged to rebuild decaying roads and bridges if taxpayers paid just a little bit more, but too often the funds were misused and the promises meant little.

TAGS: fair tax, gas tax, JB Pritzker, waste

Illinois drivers surrounded by states with lower gas tax rates

By Ben Szalinski

08/05/2020

Illinois doubled the gas tax in 2019, which pushed it to No. 3 in the nation for highest average gas tax.

TAGS: gas tax, tax hikes

Automatic state worker pay hikes, gas tax hike coming to Illinois July 1

By Brad Weisenstein

06/25/2020

How fair is it that some of the highest-paid state employees in the nation are getting a raise that must be funded by an economically wounded bunch of taxpayers?

TAGS: COVID-19, gas tax, government unions, lawmaker pay, unemployment

Illinois gas tax set for automatic increase July 1

By Ben Szalinski

06/15/2020

State lawmakers last summer doubled Illinois’ gas tax to help pay for capital projects. Each year the gas tax automatically rises, shielding lawmakers from responsibility for hikes.

TAGS: capital plan, gas tax, JB Pritzker, Martin Sandoval

Gas taxes nearly equal to cost of gas in Illinois

By Brad Weisenstein

04/23/2020

Illinois’ taxes and fees on gasoline keep the pump price high, even when oil producers are paying for someone to take excess crude. The state gas tax is set to rise again in July.

TAGS: Chicago, coronavirus, COVID-19, gas tax, JB Pritzker

Bill banning Illinoisans from pumping their own gas dies in General Assembly

By Vincent Caruso

02/19/2020

After listening to voter feedback, an Illinois lawmaker tabled a bill that would have only allowed gas station clerks to pump gas in Illinois.

TAGS: gas station, Gas Station Attendant Act, gas tax