Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) | https://repkeithwheeler.com
Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) | https://repkeithwheeler.com
Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-North Aurora) is drawing attention to several pieces of legislation that House Republicans have proposed to help Illinoisans deal with inflation.
"Illinois families across the state are feeling the impact of record-high inflation. Illinois House Republicans have proposed several measures to provide relief and help our residents recover," Wheeler posted on Facebook.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose .8% in February, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Over the last 12 months, the CPI rose 7.9%. In February, the food index increased by 1%, and the gasoline index increased by 6.6%. BLS noted, "The 12-month increase has been steadily rising and is now the largest since the period ending January 1982 [...] The energy index rose 25.6 percent over the last year, and the food index increased 7.9 percent, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending July 1981."
The average price of a regular gallon of gasoline in Illinois is $4.535 as of March 17, according to AAA, up from $3.094 one year ago. The average cost in Kendall County is $4.460.
WIFR reported that although Gov. J.B. Pritzker has suggested freezing gas and grocery taxes next fiscal year, Republican legislators are arguing that Illinoisans need relief sooner than that. One proposal would freeze the sales tax on gasoline at 18 cents per gallon. "None of the proposals from the House Republicans have seen significant movement since they were introduced," according to WIFR.
Senate Republicans have introduced SB 4195, which would immediately cap the state's sales tax on motor fuel at 18 cents per gallon, according to a release from state Sen. Don DeWitte's (R-West Dundee) office. This measure would save Illinois taxpayers almost $1 billion during the next fiscal year. "Currently, Illinoisans are paying about 25 cents per gallon in sales tax but could easily soon be paying up to 34 cents if gas prices hit $5.50 per gallon," according to the release.
Illinoisans pay the second-highest gas tax in the country, according to Illinois Policy. In 2019, Pritzker doubled the state gas tax from 19 cents to 38 cents.
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