Springfield Expert Warns Gas Tax Suspension Would Not Save Drivers Much Money
UIS expert Dr. Ken Kriz says suspending the Illinois gas tax would save the average driver only $285 per year while risking infrastructure funding.
(WICS/WRSP) — Gas prices continue to go up, and the Illinois tax on fuel is poised to increase on July 1. Now, there are calls for suspension of the tax as a whole.
Dr. Ken Kriz, the distinguished professor of public management and policy at the University of Illinois Springfield, says that stopping the collection of the tax on gas may sound nice. However, it may save less than one would hope.
"I want to kind of stress this wouldn't be a huge windfall for anybody except for those people who drive a lot," says Dr. Kriz.
Currently, the motor fuel tax is about 48 cents per gallon. Starting July 1, the tax will increase to almost 50 cents. When factoring in the motor fuel use tax, the number will go from 65 cents to about 67 cents.
Dr. Kriz says his research shows the average driver uses about 575 gallons of fuel per year. He estimates, "That's going to be $5.75 a year for the average driver, so that's really not going to have an effect. I did the calculation and if you suspend the entire motor fuel tax for the state, it would be about $285 a year."
Not collecting the tax could see state and local infrastructure suffer as a result. In 2016, Illinois voters decided all revenues from the motor fuel tax must be used on transportation costs. This includes roads and bridges.
Since July 1, 2025, the state has taken in over $2.6 billion. Those dollars are then distributed amongst the state, local governments, and mass transit districts. Without the tax, a usually consistent stream of revenue would drop for all groups.
Dr. Kriz says, "I'm just like anybody else. I don't like paying a lot of taxes, but I can see it's going to roads and bridges. So, I think once a lot of people realize that you know, this is a constitutionally limited tax; it can only be spent for basically unpromising infrastructure. I can only hope but you know, most people would be more accepting of it."
There have been calls to suspend the federal gas tax as well, which currently sits at about 18 cents for gasoline and about 24 cents for diesel. The Illinois motor fuel tax is paid at the pump, meaning anyone, whether they're a resident or not, pays the tax any time they fuel up.