Gas tax hike nets $100 million more from Illinois drivers in first month

By WIFR Newsroom

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) — Illinois drivers paid $100 million more in gas taxes than usual after the first month of a statewide gas tax increase.

The gas tax hike took effect July 1 as part of “Rebuild Illinois,” a $45 billion capital plan designed to fix infrastructure, update state facilities, fund education programs and create jobs.

According to reports from the Illinois Department of Revenue, Illinois drivers paid $203.7 million in motor fuel taxes in July 2019. Illinois drivers paid nearly double in taxes compared to July 2018, when the state’s gas tax netted $103.9 million.

Illinois’ gas tax now stands as one of the highest in the country at 38 cents per gallon. Prior to the change, Illinois had a gas tax of 19 cents per gallon.

Read more from WIFR here.