Rockford Sun

In a May 19 Facebook post, Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) called for a special legislative session to address rising gas prices. He also spoke about how money is always better spent when it is left at the hands of the taxpayers instead of letting the government decide what to do with it. 

"A special session is needed to address soaring gas prices and the resulting financial burden on Illinoisans. State government has no business capitalizing on this crisis by gouging millions of dollars in tax revenues it never expected to receive, at the expense of struggling families across the state. As I said in March, 'Money is always better left in the pockets of taxpayers who know how to spend their money better than government does,'" Syverson posted on Facebook.

"I first presented this proposal two months ago during the spring legislative session, and since then gas prices have continued to skyrocket. Had this measure become law in March, we would already be providing relief for Illinois consumers at the pump, as well as preventing any future sales tax increases," Syverson said. "Instead of providing consideration for SB 4195 this spring, Gov. Pritzker and Democrat legislators had something else in mind, however, and passed a law that will simply delay an automatic two-cent increase to the state's Motor Fuel Tax until after the election in January 2023 instead of in July 2022."

Senate Bill 4195, which was proposed in March, was referred to the Assignments Committee on March 10. It would have required that 30 days after the act's effective date, the motor fuel tax could not be higher than 18 cents per gallon for motor fuel and 80% of that amount for gasohol and biodiesel blends. This bill provides that the rate of tax imposed under the Acts for motor fuel, gasohol, majority blended ethanol fuel, and biodiesel and biodiesel blends may not exceed that prepayment amount set by the Department of Revenue. It would have gone into effect immediately upon passage.

In March, the Journal-Star explained why the gas prices in Illinois are higher than in neighboring states. AAA spokeswoman Molly Hart said it could be partly because of the switch to a winter gas blend than the one used in the summer, which is more expensive in Illinois. Also, the gas taxes in Illinois are higher than in most states.