Lake County Gazette

Critics are being vocal about the newly enacted gas tax on July 1 as well as the resumption of the state’s grocery tax. 

Crystal Lake resident Mike Fahrner, Senior Director Of Business Development at McNelly Services, Inc., noted his opposition through sarcasm.

“Happy Illinois gas tax rate increase day. Just in case you didn’t feel gas was expensive enough here in the land of Lincoln. Nothing says the 4th of July more then pay the govt more!” Fahrner said on Facebook. 

Three days before the Fourth of July, two taxes on essential items in Illinois have increased. The state's gas tax was expected to rise by 3.1 cents per gallon, bringing the total tax to 45.4 cents, marking the second increase in the motor fuel tax this year, according to The Center Square. Additionally, the state's 1% tax on groceries, which was temporarily suspended during last year's election cycle, was reinstated. Gov. J.B. Pritzker defended the reinstatement, citing the need for local government funding, while critics argue that the tax increases place a burden on residents who are already facing high property taxes. The state's recently approved fiscal year 2024 budget also includes other fee increases.

Illinois instituted a gas tax increase at the start of the year, adding 3.2 cents per gallon of gas, resulting in the state having the second-highest gas tax in the United States after California. The State Motor Fuel Tax in Illinois was previously set at $0.423 per gallon of gasoline and $0.498 per gallon of diesel fuel until June 30, Mahomet Daily reported.

The end of the one-year suspension of the grocery tax, implemented by Pritzker during his election year, is notable given the overwhelming majority of states don’t tax food. Despite discussions on making the tax suspension permanent, the majority of state lawmakers opted against joining the majority of states that do not tax groceries at all. According to Illinois Policy, only 13 states in total tax groceries and Illinois is the only one among the 10 most populous states to impose a tax on groceries.