Illinois considers local gas taxes atop doubled state gas tax

By Dylan Sharkey

01/14/2022

Illinois has the second-highest gas taxes in the nation, but a new bill would let cities add a local gas tax on top of the state and federal taxes and fees. Illinois doubled its gasoline tax in 2019, part of $5.2 billion in new taxpayer costs since Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office.

TAGS: gas tax, Illinois

Holiday travel comes with hefty price for Illinois gas

By Dylan Sharkey

12/17/2021

About one-third more people will be on the road this holiday season. For Illinoisans, the gas to get home for the holidays will be pricey.

TAGS: gas tax, Illinois

Illinois gasoline taxes rise to No. 2 in nation

By Noah Shaar

08/03/2021

Illinois drivers now pay the second-highest taxes on their gasoline in the nation, a new survey found. Before the state doubled the gas tax, Illinois ranked much lower.

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker

Illinois’ doubled gas tax grows a little more July 1

By Noah Shaar

06/24/2021

When Illinois state lawmakers and Gov. J.B. Pritzker doubled the state gasoline tax in 2019, they built in automatic annual increases to avoid voting for future hikes. The tax increases another half cent on July 1.

TAGS: gas tax, Illinois

Pritzker pushes ‘Time to Drive’ tourism campaign despite high gas prices

By Patrick Andriesen

05/26/2021

When Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state lawmakers doubled the gas tax in 2019, they built in automatic annual increases. The next boost hits July 1. Perfect timing, as Pritzker spends $6 million to ask Illinoisans to take a drive.

TAGS: COVID-19, gas tax, JB Pritzker, reopen

Illinois gas averages $3.25 a gallon even after pipeline resumes operation

By Patrick Andriesen

05/17/2021

The Colonial Pipeline shutdown set off a gasoline price increase, but summer travel demand and pricier summer blends are likely to keep them there. Illinois averages $3.25 per gallon, AAA reports.

TAGS: gas tax, Illinois, JB Pritzker

Illinois gas prices top $3, highest since Pritzker doubled gas tax in 2019

By Brad Weisenstein

04/19/2021

Gas was $3.05 per gallon in Illinois. It was over $1 higher than a year ago and the highest since the state gasoline tax doubled to 38 cents per gallon and is set to increase again July 1.

TAGS: gas tax, Illinois, JB Pritzker

Survey: Illinois state, local taxes are highest in nation

By Ann Miller

03/10/2021

Illinois households pay nearly $9,500 on average in state and local taxes, which at 15% of their income is the nation’s highest. WalletHub finds gasoline taxes pushed Illinois to No. 1.

TAGS: gas tax, income tax, property tax, taxes

Lake County looks at 4-cent gas tax hike using law that doubled state gas tax

By Patrick Andriesen

03/05/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker approved doubling the state gas tax in 2019 and gave some counties and Chicago the power to hike local gas taxes. Lake County is the latest to consider doing so.

TAGS: gas tax, Lake County

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

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

Unions flood politicians with cash: How it buys clout in Illinois General Assembly

Government unions in Illinois have tremendous power. Most are allowed to go on strike and can bargain over virtually anything.1 It creates an uneven playing field, with unions able to demand costly provisions in their contracts and threaten to strike – denying Illinoisans needed services – to get what they want.2 Until recently, the potential...

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Unions flood politicians with cash: How it buys clout in Illinois General Assembly

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Toni Larocco

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students