Illinois’ Gas Tax Rises July 1st, Here’s How Much More You’ll Pay

Apparently, Illinois drivers aren’t suffering enough every time we pull up to the gas pump. You may have thought you were, but lawmakers know better.

So, beginning on July 1st, Illinois’ annual gas tax increase kicks in once again, meaning drivers across the state will soon pay even more to fill their tanks. Thanks to the automatic inflation adjustment built into the state’s 2019 “Rebuild Illinois” infrastructure plan, the gasoline tax will rise from 48.3 cents per gallon to 49.6 cents per gallon. Diesel taxes are climbing, too.

By the way, before anyone says, “Well, it’s just a penny or so,” remember that Illinois already sits near the very top nationally when it comes to pain at the pump.

Illinois Is Not Number-One In Gas Taxes, But We're Very, Very Close

Depending on which calculation is used, Illinois ranks either second or third highest in America for total gas taxes and related fuel fees. Only California, and sometimes Pennsylvania or Michigan, depending on the formula, routinely ranks worse.

That’s especially frustrating for Illinois drivers because our neighboring states are considerably cheaper.

Here’s a look at state gas-tax rates in nearby states for comparison:

• Illinois: roughly 66 cents per gallon when additional fees and taxes are included
• Indiana: about 54 cents
• Michigan: about 48 cents
• Wisconsin: about 33 cents
• Iowa: about 30 cents
• Missouri: about 30 cents
• Kentucky: about 26 cents

That might be why so many Illinoisans are choosing to live across the border.

That's A Price Gap That Many In Our State Are Noticing

And it might be the reason so many Illinois residents near the borders regularly cross into Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, or Missouri to fuel up. In fact, reports this spring noted that some Chicago-area drivers were specifically traveling into Indiana to avoid Illinois’ higher prices.

State leaders argue the higher taxes help fund badly needed road repairs, bridges, and infrastructure projects throughout Illinois. Critics, meanwhile, say the automatic yearly increases hit working families at exactly the wrong time, especially with grocery prices, insurance rates, and utility bills already squeezing household budgets.

Either way, the clock is ticking. Come July 1st, filling up in Illinois is going to sting just a little bit more.