State Representative Ryan Spain gave the following statement in response to Governor JB Pritzker’s comments about an openness to gas price relief for Illinois taxpayers:
“With the Governor joining House Republicans call for gas price relief, please allow me to suggest that we start with a six-month suspension on the sales tax on gasoline. House Bill 5738 can be an appropriate bipartisan vehicle for this relief and not only provides critically needed relief to Illinois taxpayers but also pauses a tax-on-a-tax. The extra revenue this sales tax generates over the last six months of 2026 would not impact the State’s Rebuild Illinois Plan, the program which repairs roads and bridges.”
Spain’s comments were delivered in response to widely reported comments from Governor JB Pritzker delivered on Tuesday at a press availability in Champaign.
“We have enough here so that we could make some sort of pause. But I think that’s something the legislature is going to consider over the coming week. We’ll see.”
Illinoisans continue to pay the highest combined state and local tax rate in the country, according to WalletHub. Illinois’ burden is driven by property, sales and excise taxes that exceed national averages and those in neighboring states.
In an effort to provide desperately needed relief to Illinoisans, Deputy Republican Leader Ryan Spain filed House Bill 5738 on April 2. This bill provides sales tax relief through a six-month gasoline 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.
Rep. Spain proudly serves the people of the 73rd District.