SE Illinois News

Gas prices have fluctuated in prices over the year in the United States, but now they’ll stay above $4.00 per gallon at the pumps.

“Well, it’s obviously no secret that gas prices are devastating families in Illinois,” Senator Darren Bailey said. “It’s negatively impacting working families, those on a fixed income, small businesses, and every Illinois family struggling to get to work, pick up their kids, and put food on their tables. (Governor J.B.) Pritzker had an opportunity to do what’s right and remove or suspend this tax, but instead, he failed.”

AAA reported the average gas price is $5.00.

“The difference between gasoline prices in Illinois and the bordering states is significant: 60 cents to 70 cents a gallon higher in Illinois. So, if you’re close to the border, why would you buy gasoline in Illinois?” Gary Meyer, the owner of Friendly Fred's Truck Stop in Gilman, said to Illinois Policy.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration wrote gas prices are influenced by taxes, distribution and marketing costs and profits, to name a few.

“There’s no question that the gas price situation in Illinois is simply being made worse by high taxes,” Bailey said. “In 2019, Pritzker, Avery Bourne, and other weak-kneed politicians who lack the courage to reform spending pushed legislation to double the gas tax here in Illinois.”

Illinois has a gas tax of 39 cents, which makes it the most expensive in the midwest.

To temporarily combat this, the Illinois 2023 Fiscal Year Budget will have a six-month freeze on its gas tax.

“Given the pandemic and the impact of inflation, we know families are in desperate need of relief,” said Representative Mike Zalewski said in a release. “After months of negotiations, the governor is signing a budget that supports people and families that need help the most and provides tax incentives to support Illinois businesses.”

The average gas prices as of June 13 broke the state record for two weeks in a row, having an 88-cent difference per gallon from neighboring states.