Rockford Sun

In a June 27 Facebook post, Illinois Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) shared his thoughts on a grocery tax going into effect on July 1.

The tax that Syverson refers to is a grocery tax that was suspended in 2022, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue’s Illinois Grocery Tax Suspension Information. The suspension did not include the additional taxes imposed on grocery food by the Regional Transportation Authority and Metro-East Mass Transit District.

In his Facebook post, Syverson shared a video where he talked about the so-called “new grocery tax.”

“Unfortunately, the majority party chose to expand hundreds of programs, including health care for undocumented immigrants, give pay raises, start new programs, and to pay for that, not only giving relief, but putting a tax back on groceries,” Syverson said in the video. “Not only are families not going to see any tax relief, but they’re also actually going to be hit with this new grocery tax going into effect July 1. I want you to know I voted against the budget that put this $400 million tax back on Illinois citizens. I’m going to work to get this tax repealed, but for now, unfortunately, this tax is going to hit you this weekend.”

The grocery tax suspension is not the only thing that will go away on July 1. Kiplinger notes that the gas tax increase that had been planned for July 2022 was suspended until January 2023. Another tax increase on gas is set for July 1, which will be 45.4 cents per gallon. Kiplinger also noted that the 1% grocery tax is a reduction from the previous 6.25% tax.

Capitol News Illinois noted that the revenue from the motor fuel tax and the license and registration fee increases that occurred in 2020 were part of a plan to fund the Rebuild Illinois six-year infrastructure plan. That plan calls for $44.2 billion to rehabilitate and upgrade roads and bridges throughout the state.