Right on schedule, the new year will bring (yet another) onerous increase in gas taxes for Illinoisans: the gas tax is set to be increased to 42.5 cents per gallon, effective January 1, 2023.  The state gas tax was 19 cents per gallon before J.B. Pritzker took office—meaning the gas tax has more than doubled in the last four years. 

Elections have consequences and people’s memories are very short. Not only did Pritzker immediately raise the gas tax upon his installment as governor in 2019, he made yearly tax hikes automatic to account for inflation. But out of caution for Election 2022, he delayed the regularly scheduled tax hike until after the election. Instead, Pritzker required gas station owners to put stickers on their pumps that said:

“As of July 1, 2022, the State of Illinois has suspended the inflation adjustment to the motor fuel tax through December 31, 2022. The price on this pump should reflect the suspension of the tax increase.”

The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association fought the overtly political and partisan law in court, but the case was thrown out. Yes, this is Illinois. Since they were still required to post Pritzker’s propaganda (or pay a $500 fine), IFRA member gas stations also planned to post signs pointing the finger at the governor for the gas tax hikes as well as a QR code that would direct customers to an online gas tax calculator.

Unfortunately, such efforts to inform the public of Pritzker’s antics were not enough. Now one piece of legislation is attempting to postpone the increase for a few months. HB 5829, if passed, would delay the tax hike until July, 2023. The bill, however, does not touch the annual automatic increases.

So what’s an Illinois citizen to do? HB 5829 does too little and is too late. It simply kicks the can down the road a short distance. Pritzker won. He has no incentive to delay the hike. Illinois gas taxes are among the highest in the nation—second only to California’s ghastly 54 cents per gallon—but Governor Pritzker appears to have his eyes set on first place. As of December 2nd, the average gas price in Illinois was $3.70 per gallon, compared with the national average of $3.38 per gallon—a 32¢ difference!

Take ACTION: Click HERE to send a message to your state lawmakers to ask them to rescind the automatic tax increases on gasoline in Illinois. Remind them that working families are getting squeezed with inflated costs for groceries, electricity and heating. There is no good reason to automatically increase taxes on gasoline every year. Illinoisans want relief at the pump.

Lawmakers need to stop toying around with trifling measures like the proposed gas tax hike delay. Measures such as HB 5829 kick the problem a couple months down the road and give citizens the illusion of stability, but in reality, it just delays the inevitable. As long as J.B. Pritzker’s unjust automatic annual tax hike remains on the books, Illinois’s citizens are going to face greater and greater financial burdens at the gas pump. Serious action needs to be taken to protect Illinois citizens from the financial overreach of their government.

Please contact your lawmakers—something needs to change.

Although few think their family is the only one struggling to keep afloat under the Biden administration’s economic war on Americans, there is comfort in seeing it confirmed by hard, cold facts.

According to Americans for Prosperity’s (AFP) Public Opinion Strategies, a whopping  75 percent of Americans reported that the increase in costs has impacted their spending over the past year. Of that 75 percent, more than 60 percent surveyed blame President Joe Biden and his leftwing policies for the inflation.  Americans are being pinched, and it is high time to speak out.

What is even more interesting about this poll is the strong sentiment about what should be done. Eighty-eight percent agree that the government needs to make it easier to produce energy domestically. A return to energy independence is not only logical but also is achievable. We are all keenly aware of its possibility thanks to the work of the Trump administration. Just days into his administration, in true Make America Great fashion, he issued an executive order allowing TC Energy to reapply for a presidential permit that would lead to reopening the Keystone XL pipeline and promising a speedy process. As a result, markets reacted favorably so Americans benefited when paying at the pump.

For reasons too baffling to be logical (Russia? Really?) and being touted under the banner of “going green,” the Obama and now Biden Administrations have both consistently used their executive power to kill not only the domestic production of oil from Keystone, but other domestic oil as well. The result is where we are at today—AAA’s National Average as of May 23 at $4.60/gallon with prices over $6.00 in many areas. Illinois, not surprisingly, is one of the most costly states, appearing red (for warning) on their national chart right alongside California and New York.

In a creative move to generate grass-roots awareness of this, AFP-Illinois hosted a “roll back the prices at the pump” event where for 2 hours on May 25 at Bleacher’s Gas station in Peoria, prices were a mere $2.38 a gallon–the cost of gas the day Biden took office. A staggering reminder of the true cost of Washington. Are you ready to take action yet?

Illinois residents’ additional burden under Democrat leadership:

In addition, a good deal of the blame for the high gas prices in Illinois should be laid squarely on Governor J.B. Pritzker’s shoulders. It was his policies that doubled motor fuel taxes from 19 cents to 38 cents per gallon in 2019. This measure not only means Illinois has the highest gas prices in the Midwest, we also have the second-highest gas tax in the nation. What’s worse is his automatic annual gas tax increases, with the tax increasing to over 45 cents a gallon in a year. But due to the upcoming election, Pritzker brazenly paused this year’s tax hike for 6 months so there will be two hikes in 2023. Are you seeing red yet?

Fox Nation has started taking action. With these new government regulations putting a stranglehold on America’s oil and gas industry, they are visiting oil-rich areas looking for solutions to drilling our way back to energy independence. Their research is making it clear that long before Biden had Russia to blame, his administration had slowed the flow of oil. And through the work of Jackie DeAngelis (and others), they are doing things such as hosting the Energy Independence Live Summit. They are taking action.

Now it is your turn:

Take ACTION: Speak up now! Click HERE to send a message to your state and federal lawmakers, letting them know that these gasoline prices are unacceptable. Urge them to enact policies that will minimize the cost of energy in general and gasoline in particular. Energy independence should be a top priority. There are no good reasons why we shouldn’t approve pipelines, drill on federal land and reduce taxes on this vitally important commodity.

Watch/listen to this Special Report segment from Fox News Channel:

In the midst of the COVID-19 craziness, it is alarming to recognize there are many who are willing to use our current health crisis for their own gain and/or agenda. As these snollygosters and media types grandstand, I cannot help but think of Rahm Emanuel’s infamous quote, “never let a crisis go to waste.”

Ironically, Emanuel first used that phrase in 2008 during the nation’s financial crash and then again last week in response to our nation’s coronavirus emergency. Is it a repackaging of one of Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals, in which he writes “in the arena of action a threat or a crisis becomes almost a precondition to communication”? I’ll let you decide.

The truth is, the board and staff here at IFI are deeply disturbed to hear the incessant petty partisan criticisms of the Trump Administration by political leaders and media pundits who only seem interested in stoking anxiety and exacerbating division among the American people. In that regard, Illinois’ Governor JB Pritzker has made a name for himself as one of the nation’s chief nitpickers over the last several weeks.

In his first fourteen months as CEO of the state of Illinois, Gov. Pritzker hasn’t pursued policy solutions that would have helped Illinois prepare for a pandemic. Gov. Pritzker hasn’t tried to bolster Illinois’ rainy-day fund, which is now vitally needed to purchase respirators and other medical equipment. In fact, Illinois remains disadvantaged because of the billions of dollars in unpaid bills dragging us down. Instead, like a petulant child, Pritzker awaits bailouts from the federal government.

For the most part, Pritzker’s political priorities have concerned the “social issues.” Working with the “Progressive” Caucus in Springfield, he followed through on his pledge to “make Illinois the most progressive state in the nation” for killing babies through abortion. He helped pass the mandate to indoctrinate young children through teaching positively about “LGBT” history in government schools (K-12). He helped pass an expansion of gambling and increased both gasoline taxes and the cost of doing business with a hike in the minimum wage.

Pritzker’s involvement in getting recreational marijuana passed in the state cannot be over-emphasized. This foolish policy will only exacerbates our current national/international health predicament, as marijuana consumption has been proven to suppress the immune system, leaving users more vulnerable to sickness. He did a great disservice to Illinois’ families, the healthcare system and first responders. BTW, who do you suppose will be paying for these unintended consequences of legal pot? Regarding the “stay-at-home” order, which has now been extended through April 30th, why are abortuaries, liquor and pot stores considered “essential businesses”?

In all of this, Christians should not forget the centrality of prayer and worship to the only One who can heal our land of the myriad forms of suffering people are experiencing. We owe Jehovah-Rapha (i.e., the God who heals) all of our love and devotion (Psalm 41:3). It is imperative to acknowledge that “that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind …” and to recognize that He works in miraculous ways through doctors, nurses and medicine.

Let us not be like the insolent King Nebuchadnezzar who foolishly took credit for building up Babylon the Great. Instead, it is far wiser to humbly and with great lament seek God in worship, praying fervently for His merciful hand of healing and restoration (See Daniel 4:28-37).

Take ACTION: Click HERE to send a message to Gov. Pritzker to ask him respectfully to stop using this national crisis to divide the American people. Ask him to stop grandstanding and instead focus on responsible policies that will shore up our foundation. These priorities have been neglected for far too long, and it is past time that we address them instead of focusing on petty politics.

If you appreciate the work and ministry of IFI, please consider a tax-deductible donation to sustain our endeavors.  It does make a difference.

The regular session of the Illinois General Assembly ended at midnight on May 31st. When that deadline passed, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) called for a Special Session of the Illinois House in order to finish what they started–namely the expansion of immorality, exploitation of citizens with new fees and taxes, and irresponsible spending of state government. They finished “business” on Sunday.

Gambling Expansion

As I reported late last week, in addition to the horrific anti-family legislation being approved in the closing days of the 2019 session, our state lawmakers in true bipartisan fashion, gave their approval to a huge gambling expansion that not only legalizes sports betting but increases the number of casinos in the state by six, including one in Chicago. This will mean that Illinois will have 16 casinos in total.

With this legislation, they also expanded the number of slot machines and table games at casinos, places slot machines at Chicago’s two airports, and allows for additional slot machines in truck stops throughout the state. Slot machines are often referred to as the “crack cocaine of gambling,” because they are highly addictive.

We are disappointed to report that on Saturday, the Illinois House approved this legislation (SB 690) by a vote of 87-27. On Sunday, the Illinois Senate concurred with a vote of 46-10 with two voting present. Governor JB Pritzker is expected to sign it into law this summer. Our political “leaders” who voted for this evidently believe they can exploit “gaming” to drain more revenue from the residents they were elected to serve.

To expand gambling, our state lawmakers had to completely ignore the 1999 U.S. Gambling Commission which recommended a moratorium on the expansion of any type of gambling anywhere in the United States, as well as the re-criminalization of slot machines/electronic gambling machines (EGMs) convenient to the public. The Gambling Commission’s conclusions have been reconfirmed in the multi-volume 2009-12 U.S. International Gambling Report, produced in large part by the University of Illinois and in concert with colleagues at other academic institutions.

Evidently, our political leaders want Illinois to become the Nevada of the Midwest.

Gasoline Tax Increase

The revenue generated by expanding gambling in Illinois is insufficient for the spendthrift politicians in Springfield. Since the snare of gambling will not satisfy their insatiable appetite for public money, they turned to other ways to squeeze the hardworking families of Illinois by doubling our state’s motor fuel tax from 19 cents to 38 cents per-gallon, and by raising vehicle registration fees from $101 to $151 for most vehicles.

We are shocked to report that on Saturday that this legislation (SB 1939) was passed in the Illinois House with the help of 20 Republicans by a vote of 83-29 with one voting present. On Sunday, the Illinois Senate concurred with a vote of 48-9 with one voting present. Eleven of the 19 Republicans in the Illinois Senate voted for these tax increases. Come July 1st, we can thank them for the dubious distinction of Illinois having the second highest gas tax rate in the nation.

But it gets worse. According to an article by the Illinois Policy Institute,

The state motor fuel tax will also be tied to inflation, meaning it will automatically rise in future years without lawmaker approval. The hike will cost the typical driver around $100 more in its first year.

This means that Illinois drivers will have a perpetual tax increase facing us potentially every year.

UGH! Again

Lawmakers in Springfield refuse to live within the means of our current cash flow and refuse to cut the size of government. Instead they irresponsibly turn to tax increases and expansion of gambling again and again. Just how much is enough? Well, the AP reports that the bipartisan state budget agreement borrows more than $1 billion in order to pay down a a mere 14 percent of our “lingering, $7 billion pile of past-due bills” in order “to save money on interest payments.”

“Irresponsible” doesn’t begin to describe it.

Illinois State Representative Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) rightly points out, “If we ran state government more efficiently, we wouldn’t need all these fee and tax increases.”

Increasing taxes, like expanding gambling, is counter-productive. It will adversely affect Illinois’ economy, hurt businesses and cause them to relocate out of state, and will ultimately increase the already high tax burden on families that remain in Illinois. These proposals are decidedly anti-family.

Illinois taxpayers should not continue to tolerate wasteful, bloated government. They just don’t get it. We do not have a tax problem. We have a spending problem! But this truth is not reflected in the $40 billion budget (SB 262) that the Illinois House approved on Friday by a vote of 83-35 and that the Illinois Senate concurred with on Saturday by a vote of 40-19.

Oh, by the way, state lawmakers gave themselves a pay raise of $1600 a year for all their work spending our hard-earned money.

Read more:

2019 Session Recap and Perspective (Illinois Family Institute)

What the Gov Had to Say About the 101st Session’s “Progress” (Illinois Review)

Illinois pols sneak teacher-salary-spiking boost into 2020 budget (Wirepoints)

Illinois State Lawmakers Introduce, Pass $85 Billion in Spending in 12 Hours (Illinois Policy Institute)

Subscribe to the IFI YouTube channel
and never miss a video report or special program!

Written by Rey Flores

If there is one freedom which we Americans have embraced since the invention of the automobile, it is the freedom to move about as we please. Whether it’s getting to and from work, driving our children to school, running to the grocery store, or taking a family vacation, our cars are a huge part of our lives.

There are those of us who rely on our vehicles to make a living, whether it’s someone using their own private vehicle to deliver food, or as a Lyft or Uber driver. Many companies and private businesses also rely heavily on their fleets of vehicles to deliver goods to and from distributors, suppliers and their own customers. But if one state lawmaker has his way, all of us will once again be facing an increased tax burden at the gas pump.

As if we didn’t already have enough increases on gas prices, here comes the state once again, picking our pockets. Every time the state needs more money, and that just happens to be always, they come at us with taxes, taxes, and more taxes.

As the Chicago Tribune reported, legislation introduced recently by State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) would more than double the state’s gas tax to 44 cents a gallon. Furthermore, the driver’s license fee would double to $60.00 and vehicle registration fees would rise to a whopping $148,00. That’s twice what each fee costs now!

If these taxes and fees do indeed increase, those who own electric cars would feel the biggest shock of all. Do you realize that these increases would bring the registration fee for electric vehicles from $17.00 all the way to an astronomical $1,000.00? Talk about shocking!

In response to this legislative proposal, State Representative Allen Skillicorn (R-Crystal Lake) issued a press release pointing out that, “in light of the recent report from the Comptroller’s office that April revenues were $1.5 billion higher than expected, it appears that the legislation to ‘significantly hike’ gas taxes and licensing fees is unnecessary and one might even say punitive if enacted.”

True. If April’s revenues were indeed $1.5 billion higher than expected, why on earth are increased fees and taxes being brought to the table? Some of our tax-happy legislators are acting like spoiled, petulant brats on Christmas morning who received a boatload of presents and began to cry about not getting more.

Skillicorn continued, “I commend Governor Pritzker for stepping back from a bad idea in the form of a pension holiday when the data from the Department of Revenue estimates that next year’s tax collections increased by $800 million. Let’s give the Trump economic recovery and the enactment of serious reforms, such as amending the pension clause, a try instead of passing more taxes and fees that crush Illinois families.”

These fees and tax increases would further squeeze Illinois families and hurt the many businesses which employ the heads of these households as well. When faced with increased overhead costs, small businesses in particular have to make hard decisions about how to cut corners. Unfortunately, the corners to be cut may be some of their employees. Cutting employees often results in decreased productivity and profit, as well as increases in the workload on the employees left behind, further burdening them for the same pay.

These fee and tax hikes would also have a long-term domino effect on the entire state. It’s been proven that higher taxes often equal fewer jobs, higher unemployment, social welfare programs further stretched, and people eventually moving out of state.

A December 2018 Wall Street Journal editorial reported that “Illinois’ population declined by 157,000 over the past five years, which is equivalent to the mid-sized city of Rockford.” The WSJ also wrote that “these population shifts mean that several states including New York, Illinois and Minnesota are likely to lose House seats after the 2020 reapportionment.”

Are we in need of transportation funding to fix Illinois crumbling roads, bridges and other infrastructure? You betcha. But at what cost? I can attest personally, at least regarding roads within Chicago’s city limits, that driving on some of these streets is akin to driving on the surface of the moon. These aren’t potholes anymore—they’re craters.

Let’s find other ways to fund the transportation and infrastructure needs of Illinois. There’s certainly no shortage of speeding and red-light cameras which are bringing in all sorts of revenue to the City of Chicago, at least. Increasing vehicle registration fees and raising taxes on gas will only drive many more people out of Illinois. Then who are they going to tax?

Take ACTION: Click HERE to send a message to your Illinois state lawmakers as well as Gov. JB Pritzker in opposition to the legislative proposal to more than double the Illinois motor fuel tax. Tell them to stop any attempt to increase the gasoline tax. Let them know that working families cannot afford to give the government more of our hard-earned money on a daily necessity such as gasoline. Moreover, why would Illinois want the dubious distinction of having the highest overall gas tax burden in the nation?

Read more:

House Committee Passes Bill That Would Make Illinois Gas Tax Burden Highest in the Nation

Illinois Can Spend Another $10B on Infrastructure Without Tax Hikes

A bold voice for pro-family values in Illinois!

Click HERE to learn about supporting IFI on a monthly basis.