Illinois drivers continue to pay millions of dollars more for gas after a new tax went into effect earlier this year.
According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, drivers paid $197.9 million in gas taxes in Sept. of 2019. In Sept. of 2018, IDR says drivers paid $107.1 million in taxes.
The new tax, which raised the gas tax from 19 cents to 38 cents, went into effect July 1. In the first three months, drivers have paid nearly $300 million more in taxes.
Documents show drivers paid nearly 204 million dollars in motor fuel tax in July 2019 and nearly 211 million dollars in the same tax in Aug. 2019. In 2018, drivers paid nearly 104 million in July and 109 million In Aug. in taxes.
The revenue created from the gas tax is part of Gov. Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois, which saw several taxes go into effect earlier this year.
The Rebuild Illinois plan includes helping pay for statewide construction program for roads, bridges, mass transit, schools and other public works.
Despite the added revenue, not all lawmakers are in favor of the tax. Last month, Rep. John Cabello (R) filed a bill that would fully repeal the motor fuel tax hike if the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Illinois exceeds 8% for a period of 3 consecutive calendar months.
The bill is still awaiting a hearing in the House Rules Committee.
