Illinoisans who have struggled without paychecks because of the COVID-19 shutdown could get a delay on their property taxes. The hope is they are working again before they must pay the bill.

Included in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s capital plan is increased taxing power for some county governments to create or raise countywide gas taxes. Will County could be the first to exercise that authority.

Protesters on July 1 greeted the doubled gasoline tax in Illinois. They warned that the 19-cent hike will hurt businesses near the state line, and poor people all across the state.

Travelers filling up in Illinois will pay a 19-cent premium for the privilege of buying gas in the Prairie State.

Starting today, the state’s tax on motor fuel will double from 19 cents to 38 cents per gallon. The hike pushes Illinois from 10th to No. 3 in the nation for high gas taxes.