SE Illinois News

Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Harrisburg) and several other Illinois Republicans are joining forces to put a lid on rising prices. 

Windhorst said middle-families are feeling the pinch.

“My colleagues and I have all sponsored legislation that would freeze, suspend, or outright reduce property taxes, various sales taxes, income taxes and fuel taxes over the course of this General Assembly,” he said. “None of our proposals have been brought for even a subject matter hearing by the Democrats. The lack of action by the Democratic majority on this issue of inflation and high gas prices is inexcusable.”

Republicans are targeting the state tax on gasoline.

“Consumers need relief right now, and this common-sense legislation provides tangible relief without negatively affecting the state’s anticipated revenues for the coming year,” Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) said on his website. “If we do nothing, motorists will continue paying outrageous prices at the pump, and come July when the state sales tax is recalculated, taxes will soar to unbelievable levels. This money should remain with taxpayers who are already struggling to keep pace with record-level inflation.”

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported motorists are paying 15% in taxes at the pump.

Republicans are sponsoring House Bill 5723, which cap the motor fuel retailers tax at 18 cents per gallon.

The bill was introduced on March 11 and had its first reading on March 15 before being referred to the Rules Committee.

Another Republican-backed effort, House Bill 5481 would amend the Use Tax Act, as well as other tax laws, to suspend the gas tax if the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index is more than 3% over the previous year. The bill is sponsored by Reps. Patrick Windhorst (R-Harrisburg), Keith Wheeler (R-North Aurora), Amy Elik (R-Alton) and Tom Weber, (R-Fox Lake).

The bill was introduced on Jan. 28 and was referred to the Rules Committee, but has not been called or scheduled since.