Illinois Gas Taxes Rise 154% Since 2018
Between 2018 and 2026, gas taxes in the State of Illinois increased 154%
Currently, the State of Illinois imposes the second-highest gas tax of any state, second only to California. Further, Illinois is one of only three states that apply their state’s sales tax to gasoline purchases. Illinois’ high gas tax rate is in part due to a 2019 bill that doubled the tax to 38 cents per gallon and automatically increased it every July based on an inflation index.
In 2019, 131 state representatives and senators voted in favor of passing the tax. Today, 51 of those 131 members of the Illinois General Assembly are no longer in office. Since the automatic tax increases were enacted into law in 2019, lawmakers have temporarily delayed the annual July 1st automatic tax hike in both 2022 and 2026 for 6 months, until Dec 31st. Both 2022 and 2026 are statewide election years in Illinois, with elections in November.