If Illinois state lawmakers are not going to spend the $3.3 billion sitting in the state’s road fund, drivers should get a break from the taxes going into it. Illinois gasoline taxes are No. 2 in the U.S.
By Ravi Mishra | Illinois Policy Institute
An accumulation of over $3.3 billion of unused dollars in Illinois’ road fund shows Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s automatic gasoline tax hikes are not necessary, and lawmakers should halt them.
Illinois drivers have been paying more for gas every July since 2019, when Pritzker doubled motor fuel taxes and tied annual tax hikes to inflation. The state gas tax is now 48.3 cents per gallon, costing each driver an extra $143 annually and ranking Illinois as No. 2 in the country for highest gas taxes.
Road Fund balance has ballooned in the past six years
From 2018 to 2024, state road spending increased nearly $1 billion, but because of constant tax and fee hikes, revenues have surged even faster and grown nearly 95% in the same period. In 2024 alone, the state’s road fund collected over $5 billion while spending under $4 billion.
The fund reserves have ballooned. Cash balances grew from $624 million in 2018 to $3.3 billion as of 2024, a 428% increase. Balances are projected to continue growing to nearly $3.5 billion by 2026. Illinois’ “lockbox” amendment prevents these funds from being redirected to other expenses, yet lawmakers continue to allow automatic gas tax hikes regardless of need.
Drivers are paying more than necessary
Motor fuel tax rates were doubled in 2019 from 19 cents per gallon to 38 cents. Since then, rates have risen automatically to match inflation, ballooning to 48.3 cents in 2025, the second highest in the nation.
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