Republican state Rep. Tom Weber leaves no doubt how he feels about his democratic colleagues enforcing a plan that requires gas stations to put stickers on gas pumps stressing that the 2.2-cent gas tax increase slated to go into effect in roughly 60 days has been postponed until after the November election.
“Illinois is providing ‘relief’ so small you won't notice it,” Weber posted on Facebook. “So they're forcing private businesses to make you notice it. Absolutely, shameful and self-serving of the Democrats.”
With the election scheduled for Nov. 8, fellow critics like Illinois Fuel and Retail Association
CEO Josh Sharp argues the new policy amounts to “free election year advertising” for democrats.
With the stickers slated to read: "As of July 1, 2022, the State of Illinois has suspended the inflation adjustment to the motor fuel tax through December 31, 2022,” gas station owners found in violation face fines of $500 per day. The legislation also requires grocery stores to display the same message on receipts.
Fox News reports that, shortly after taking office in 2019, Pritzker moved to double the state’s gas tax to 38 cents and institute an annual gas tax hike.
Back in March, Rep. Mark Batinick filed House Bill 5723, which would have capped the state’s gas tax at 18 cents per gallon. The measure is co-sponsored by Weber and at least five other GOP House members (Dan Caulkins, Amy Grant, Tim Ozinga, Brad Halbrook, and Keith Wheeler).
As of April 13, AAA reports the average price of a gallon of regular gas in Illinois was $4.324, up from $3.058 one year ago. In the Chicago metro area, gas prices average $4.457 per gallon.
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