Pritzker Refuses Gas Tax Relief as Other States Offer Relief While Illinois Raises Fuel Taxes July 1

By Illinois Review

Illinois drivers already paying some of the highest gas prices in America are about to get hit again, and Gov. JB Pritzker is refusing to provide relief even as other states temporarily suspend gas taxes to help working families.

Beginning July 1, Illinois Democrats are moving forward with yet another automatic increase in the state’s motor fuel tax. The increase, tied to inflation, will push Illinois’ gas tax to nearly 50 cents per gallon – one of the highest state gas taxes in the nation.

Meanwhile, several states led by both Republicans and Democrats are taking steps to ease the burden on drivers as fuel prices rise amid growing instability in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

In Georgia, state leaders suspended the motor fuel excise tax earlier this spring, giving drivers more than 33 cents per gallon in relief. Indiana Governor Mike Braun issued a temporary suspension that now provides nearly 59 cents per gallon in combined tax relief. Utah also approved a temporary 15 percent reduction in its gas tax beginning July 1.

But in Illinois, taxpayers are getting the opposite treatment.

Pritzker has rejected calls to freeze or suspend the gas tax increase, arguing the state cannot afford to lose revenue needed for roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects. His administration has also pointed to budget pressures as justification for keeping the tax hike in place.

Critics say that argument rings hollow after years of massive spending increases under Democratic control in Springfield.

Since Pritzker took office in 2019, Illinois’ state budget has exploded from roughly $36 billion to more than $55 billion. At the same time, the state has spent billions on programs for illegal immigrants while families across Illinois continue to struggle with inflation, groceries, utility bills, and soaring fuel costs.

Republicans in Springfield argue Democrats are once again prioritizing government spending over working families.

State Rep. Ryan Spain introduced House Bill 5738 earlier this year, which would create a six-month suspension of the state sales tax on gasoline from July 1 through December 31. The proposal would provide an estimated 20 cents per gallon in relief to drivers. But the bill has stalled in the Democrat-controlled legislature and has not advanced out of committee.

Illinois motorists are already feeling squeezed. Truckers, commuters, suburban families, and downstate residents who drive long distances for work are expected to absorb even higher transportation costs this summer.

Many conservatives also point out the hypocrisy coming from Springfield Democrats who constantly claim to stand with “working people” while refusing to pause automatic tax hikes during an economic crunch.

The annual gas tax increase was built into Illinois law in 2019 as part of Pritzker’s massive infrastructure package. The law automatically raises fuel taxes every year based on inflation – ensuring drivers pay more regardless of economic conditions.