Sosnowski cosponsors bill aimed at extending relief from inflation on gas taxes
By Mary Sisk
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app
ROCKFORD — State Rep. Joe Sosnowski is cosponsoring legislation that would extend relief from inflation on the state’s gas tax.
The legislature, House Bill 5829, would stop the Jan. 1 inflation increase from going into effect until July.
“Illinois residents are no strangers to tax increases, but the weight of inflation paired with higher taxes is not sustainable,” Sosnowski said. “It is my job to work toward viable solutions to our state’s biggest challenges and right now that’s the rising cost of living in Illinois.”
More in the city: Bell Bowl Prairie advocates celebrate 1-year anniversary of halt to airport construction
The bill would also repeal a requirement that retailers post a notice of the gas freeze at their stations. That requirement spurred a lawsuit by the Illinois Fuel & Retail Association in May. The trade group had claimed it violated free speech, but a federal judge dismissed it this summer.
While gas prices have continued to drop for three consecutive weeks, the average price sits at $4.05 per gallon, nearly 62 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
More news: Winnebago County to establish board of directors for River Bluff
The state’s gas tax was doubled in 2019, increasing from 19 cents per gallon to 38 cents. That change included an automatic annual inflation hike effective on July 1 of each year.
This bill would nullify Gov. JB Pritzker’s six-month delay from the automatic gas tax increase, preventing taxpayers from paying increases both on Jan. 1 and July 1.
“Our legislation would prevent gas taxes from going up across the state on Jan. 1,” Sosnowski said. “I’m hopeful we can put the needed pressure on majority Democrats to get this passed during the upcoming veto session so that local families are not hit even harder this winter with higher costs.”
Lawmakers return to Springfield for the veto session Nov. 15-17 and Nov. 29-Dec. 1.
This article is by Mary Sisk. Email her at msisk@rockrivercurrent.com or follow her on Instagram at @maryrrcurrent
