Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – In what State Rep. Ryan Spain (pictured, left) (R-Peoria) says is “uniquely Illinois,” the state imposes a tax on gasoline and also a sales tax on gasoline. The second one is the one Spain and State Rep. Regan Deering (pictured, right) (R-Decatur) want to take a six-month holiday amid the war-driven spike in prices.
The motor fuel tax was stagnant for about thirty years before the legislature and governor doubled it, then indexing it to inflation.
And then there’s the transit bill which passed in the fall veto session.
“In the context of downstate lawmakers,” said Spain, “you have to remember, really, it’s a reminder of the massive transformation that took place in the transit bill. So, this sales tax that was negotiated to go to the Road Fund in 2019, that’s gone. Now it goes to transit.”
The time is right, said Deering, to give drivers a break. “Gas generally tends to trend up around the holiday. We’re looking at Memorial Day, and families choose to take vacations. We’re looking at planting season for our farmers. Diesel prices are high. The tax on diesel, I believe, is over 55 cents a gallon. So any relief is going to continue to be appreciated.”
The summer travel, Deering adds, will include celebration of the Route 66 Centennial.
