Ready To Pay More? Illinois’ Gas Tax Goes Up Again July 1st

You'll probably remember back in 2019 when newly-elected Governor JB Pritzker effectively doubled Illinois' motor fuel tax from 19 cents per gallon to 38 cents per gallon to help pay for a $45 billion capital infrastructure plan.

Good times.

You may or may not also remember that the governor wasn't done after doubling the motor fuel tax in Illinois. He went ahead and built in annual increases that we've been having to deal with year after year.

Now, in a little over two months on July 1st, 2025's annual increase to the Illinois motor fuel tax kicks in, which takes it to over 48 cents per gallon (48.3). That will make Illinois number-two in the nation for having the highest gas taxes, behind only California.

Here's How Much More It Will Cost You On Average After The Gas Tax Increase On July 1st

Illinois drivers, on average, are looking at spending an extra $143 every year with this raising of the gas tax.

Here's a look back to 2018, and how our motor fuel taxes have increased since the governor doubled them (per gallon):

• July 2018: (pre-Pritzker) 19 cents
• July 2019: 38 cents
• July 2020: 38.7 cents
• July 2021: 39.2 cents
• July 2022: 39.2 cents
• January 2023: 42.3 cents
• July 2023: 45.4 cents
• July 2024: 47.0 cents
• July 2025: 48.3 cents

As if these numbers weren't enough, Illinois lawmakers are also kicking around the idea of a vehicle mileage tax because Springfield is saying that the state is not getting enough money for our state's roads.

Residents And Those Who Need Gas In Some Illinois Counties Will Be Paying Even More Than The State's Added Gas Tax Because Those Counties Have A Local Gas Tax, Too

If you're living or working in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Or Will County you're looking at kicking out even more at the pump because of the local gas tax those counties have applied on top of the state's motor fuel tax:

• DuPage: 9.1 cents per gallon
• Kane: 4.7 cents per gallon
• McHenry: 4.7 cents per gallon
• Will: 4.7 cents per gallon
• Lake: 4.5 cents per gallon

Don't forget that the state of Illinois is also considering a vehicle mileage tax, saying that Illinois is not getting enough money for roads.

IllinoisPolicy.org:

Automatic gas tax hikes mean lawmakers never again must face voters after voting for the unpopular increases. Plus, Illinois is one of the few states that calculates its sales tax after other taxes and fees are applied – essentially taxing the taxes. On top of other driving costs such as tolls and licensing fees, the state has collected more than $6 billion from drivers.