SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois’ governor wants to provide some relief to pocketbook-pinched consumers.
Gas averages $3.60 per gallon and inflation is at its highest rate since 1982. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat facing reelection this year, has proposed freezing the motor fuel tax, which is scheduled to jump 2 cents on July 1. It’s part of a state budget plan that offers other tax relief, too.
The gas tax increase helps pay for the $45 billion Rebuild Illinois construction plan approved in 2019. Pritzker says a freeze would cost $135 million and not affect next year’s projects.
Transportation advocates say roads and bridges in the state have waited so long to be fixed that the lost revenue is a big problem.
