Illinois' High Taxes Add To High Cost Of Gasoline
The Center Square – Illinois currently has the second-highest gas tax in the nation behind only California. A report from the Illinois Policy Institute highlights how the state got here. According to AAA, diesel fuel, as well as regular unleaded gasoline, are at their highest price per gallon in the state's history. Prices in Illinois are the eighth highest in the nation at an average of $4.535 for a gallon of regular, and the state's gas tax, at 39.2 cents per gallon since more than doubling in 2019, is the second highest. Adam Schuster of the policy institute said there are many factors at play when looking at Illinois's fuel prices. However, he said, one thing stands out about the state. "There is a lot of factors going into the high price of gasoline right now, but a factor that is particular to Illinois is the recent doubling of the state gas tax," Schuster said. Illinois also is one of just seven states that assesses its sales tax on top of gas taxes. While many states