State lawmakers debate delaying New Year’s Day gas tax hike

By Dylan Sharkey

11/25/2022

A bill in Springfield proposes delaying the Jan. 1 state gas tax hike. If it fails, drivers will see two gas tax hikes in 2023, expected to take the tax to over 45 cents a gallon.

TAGS: gas tax

Illinois Thanksgiving travelers pay 2nd-highest gas taxes in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

11/23/2022

AAA predicts nearly 55 million people will travel for Thanksgiving this year, only 2% less than Thanksgiving travel in 2019. Illinoisans hitting the road should try to fill up in other states.

TAGS: gas tax, Thanksgiving

Fact check: Pritzker didn’t lower gas tax or eliminate grocery tax

By Dylan Sharkey

08/10/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s re-election ad praises him for fictional tax relief, hinting he repealed the grocery tax and lowered the gas tax. Neither is true.

TAGS: gas tax, grocery tax, JB Pritzker

U.S. gas prices drop near $4 a gallon, but not in Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

08/03/2022

Gas prices were on the decline for the 50th straight day, but Illinois’ gas taxes kept the average price above $4.50 a gallon.

TAGS: gas, gas prices, gas tax, JB Pritzker, motor fuel tax, taxes

Pritzker’s gas tax hike takes $277 from average Illinoisan

By Perry Zhao

07/20/2022

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker touted a six-month delay in the next automatic gas tax hike as “tax relief.” But since he assumed office, the gas tax he raised has taken an extra $277 from every person in Illinois.

TAGS: gas tax, inflation, JB Pritzker

State workers enforcing Pritzker tax sign compliance at Illinois gas pumps

By Dylan Sharkey

07/11/2022

State workers are out enforcing Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mandate that all gas pumps carry a sign noting his delay in the next automatic gas tax hike. The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association is in state court fighting the mandate and $500-a-day fines.

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker

Supermarkets, gas stations forced to advertise Pritzker tax ‘relief’ July 1

By Dylan Sharkey

07/01/2022

July 1 marks the start of the suspended state grocery tax and delay in the automatic gas tax hike. Both industries are required by law to display signs reminding customers of the suspensions, but only gas stations face $500-a-day fines if they fail to comply.

TAGS: gas prices, gas tax, grocery tax, JB Pritzker, motor fuel tax, taxes

Illinois drivers pay $35 more to fill up on gas than one year ago

By Patrick Andriesen

06/30/2022

Drivers are now paying $35 more to fill-up on regular gasoline and $65 more for diesel than they were a year ago. Gas taxes eat more than one-fifth of every tank.

TAGS: gas prices, gas tax, JB Pritzker, motor fuel tax, taxes

Illinois drivers pay 54 cents more per gallon than rest of U.S. ahead of July 4 travel

By Dylan Sharkey

06/29/2022

Independence Day travel will return to pre-pandemic levels this weekend, reminding Illinoisans they pay the most for gas in the Midwest thanks to high taxes.

TAGS: free speech, gas prices, gas station, gas tax, inflation, JB Pritzker, taxes

Illinois gas stations display Pritzker gas tax hikes to counter election propaganda

By Dylan Sharkey

06/28/2022

Illinois gas station owners lost their legal fight over the requirement to advertise the delay in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s annual gas tax hike. Stations now will post the mandated signs July 1, but are also telling drivers how much state leaders raised the gas taxes.

TAGS: gas station, gas tax, JB Pritzker

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension costs, including pension bond...

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Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

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Susie Warden

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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