Deputy Leader Ryan Spain and State Representative Regan Deering held a press conference today to discuss the affordability issues plaguing Illinois due to Democrat policies and offered their solutions to provide Illinois families relief.
The Representatives’ focus was on targeting taxes and fees that the state can control, like the gas tax. Illinois’ gas tax ranks second highest in the nation, being increased to 48.3 cents last July.
Rep. Deering, who serves a rural district in central Illinois, noted the extra pressure on downstate, considering how much farther people need to travel for work, school, medical appointments, and even to reach a grocery store, and lack of alternatives, like a robust transportation system.
“Everyday people need relief. Relief from crushing taxes and the high cost of living, but under Gov. Pritzker’s regime, Illinoisans continued to be squeezed,” said Deering. “In February, the Governor proposed raising the state’s budget by $1 billion. Where does he think folks have money to spare to pay for yet another bloated budget that doesn’t offer any relief for hardworking Illinoisans? I can tell you the working people of Illinois can’t afford it.”
In an effort to provide desperately needed relief to Illinoisans, Rep. Spain filed HB 5738. The bill provides sales tax relief in way of a six-month temporary gas sales tax holiday from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026. Spain says it is the right thing to do for both consumers and the state’s economy.
“After JB Pritzker and Democrats raided Downstate road funds for transit, Downstate taxpayers deserve relief,” said Deputy House Republican Leader Ryan Spain. “Downstate has seen systemic disinvestment in our road and bridge infrastructure over the past several decades, but this taking escalated in a significant way when Democrats raided downstate road funds by seizing sales taxes on motor fuel and all market interest gained on unspent road funds to bail out mismanaged Chicago-area mass transit systems.”
The Representatives emphasized that with the summer months coming, this is the least the state can do to deliver much needed relief to residents.
HB 5738 remains in the Rules Committee, along with many other measures that seek to provide affordability, all sponsored by House Republicans. For more information, visit ilga.gov.