The proposal would suspend gas tax increases in Illinois for two years

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) – Illinois residents pay the second-highest gasoline tax in the country after California at 45 cents per gallon.

In July the price rises to 47 cents per gallon. In 2019, the state introduced automatic annual fuel tax increases to account for inflation.

Six years ago, the gasoline tax was 19 cents per gallon The middle place.

A new proposal, House Bill 5252would suspend the automatic increase for two years to help residents suffering the effects of high inflation.

Lawmakers said the pause would have no impact on transportation projects already planned. But representatives from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois warned that this could jeopardize funding for future projects.

In July 2022, as part of a package of tax relief legislation, the state froze the gas tax for six months as the economy recovered from state-ordered COVID-19 shutdowns.

The bill’s first reading took place on Tuesday and it was referred to a Rules Committee.