Carbondale Reporter

Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Harrisburg) argues that the sales tax on gasoline is disproportionately hurting people in rural areas, and should be eliminated.

"(Senate Bill 157) has a gas tax freeze that is not really gas tax relief. The gas tax and the sales tax on gas disproportionately hurts the poor and middle class. And it disproportionately hurts those who live in rural areas," Windhorst said April 9 from the House floor. "Those who live in rural areas drive 20, 25, 30 miles a day to go to work, to go to the doctor, to go to the hospital. They have no other option but to drive. When people in rural areas have to go somewhere, we have to drive. And because of Illinois's oppressive tax structure, we have to pay and pay a lot -- sometimes up to 70 cents a gallon more than our surrounding states. What we need is real gas tax relief. If we really want to help, we should limit, suspend or completely eliminate the sales tax on our gasoline."   

Senate Bill 157, which lays out revenue-related measures and the tax relief proposal, passed  the Senate, and the House unanimously on April 9. But Republicans are not really happy with the bill.

The main aim of SB 157 was to give some tax relief amid inflation. However, the tax breaks are not permanent and are valid only till after the election. "Supporting this package of tax breaks is the right thing to do as we fight the effects of inflation that is continuing to run rampant," Windhorst said, the Metropolis Planet reported. "Illinois government must change direction to stop people from leaving and to attract more people to come to our state. That must start with lowering the overall tax burden on a more permanent basis."

Senate Bill 157 also creates the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity (MICRO) Act, which was a big selling point for Republican legislators.