State of Illinois Will Impose Additional 19 Cent Gas Tax Starting July 1
Kane County residents should expect higher prices at the pump, as the Illinois General Assembly voted Sunday (June 2, 2019) to double the state’s motor fuel tax, from 19 cents per gallon to 38 cents per gallon, starting July 1.
The gas tax is part of a $45 billion public works plan.
According to state of Illinois news releases as well as reports in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and many other sources, the gas tax last was raised in 1990 and will be indexed to future inflation increases, which means it will automatically rise in future years without lawmaker approval.
Municipalities in Cook County also will have the option to raise gas taxes by an additional 3 cents a gallon, according to WGN and numerous sources.
The bill increases certain vehicle registration fees, as well.
Senate Bill 1939 was passed as part of “Rebuild Illinois,” a plan to fund statewide construction and public works programs for roads, bridges, schools and mass transit.
According to Wikipedia, Illinois’ gas tax as of July 1 will be fifth highest in the nation, behind Washington (49.40 cents per gallon), California (47.7 cents per gallon), Connecticut (43.80 cents per gallon) and New Jersey (41.4 cents per gallon).
Governor’s Statement
Gov. JB Pritzker released the following statement after the passage of the $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital plan.
“After years of neglecting our state’s roads, bridges, mass transit, and buildings, Illinoisans’ health and safety have been jeopardized, and job creation has been hindered,” he said. “I’m proud that the state is on the verge of adopting a bipartisan infrastructure plan for the first time in a decade. Our plan to rebuild our roads, bridges and communities will create hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout our state.”
State of Illinois Synopsis of SB1939
Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Provides that the tax imposed on motor fuel shall be at the rate of 38 cents per gallon. Provides that the tax imposed on diesel shall be 7.5 cents per gallon. Makes changes concerning the distribution of proceeds.
Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, in addition to any other tax that may be imposed, a municipality in a county with a population of over 3,000,000 inhabitants may also impose a tax on motor fuel at a rate not to exceed $0.03 per gallon.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Increases certain vehicle registration fees. Makes changes concerning notice of a parking, standing, or compliance violations. Provides that the notice shall include the vehicle make or a photograph of the vehicle (currently, vehicle make only). Makes changes concerning service of the notice.
Amends the State Finance Act to create certain special funds. Amends the Counties Code to provide that the County Motor Fuel Tax Law also applies in Lake and Will Counties. Provides that the rate may not be less than 4 cents per gallon and not more than 8 cents per gallon.
Provides that the Department of Revenue shall adjust the rate on July 1 of each year. Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.
Provides that the Department of Transportation shall set aside $50,000,000 received by the Department of Transportation from the Road Fund for the projects in the following categories: pedestrian and bicycle facilities and the conversion of abandoned railroad corridors to trails. Effective immediately.
