East Central Reporter

A Clay County Republican in Illinois' state House said recently that he opposes a measure currently making its way through the General Assembly that could more than double Illinois' gas tax by this summer.

"I oppose these massive tax increases on gasoline and vehicle registration fees that will make Illinois’ gas tax burden the highest in the nation," Illinois state House Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) said in a recent announcement. "Families and seniors on fixed incomes will be hit harder in southern Illinois because of the many more miles they have to drive to school, work and hospitals or medical appointments."

Bailey announced his opposition to raising the state's gas tax from 19 cents a gallon to 44 cents per gallon the day after the House Revenue and Finance Committee passed an amendment to House Bill 391 out of committee on a party-line vote. If the measure makes it into law, Illinois's gas tax would become the highest in the nation.

“The state received $1.5 billion more in revenue than expected last month and we do not need to raise taxes and fees," Bailey said in his announcement. "We need to cut spending and prioritize the programs and agencies that help those who need it most.”

Bailey, a farmer, is a freshman lawmaker who began to represent the 109th Illinois state House District in January, following the victory over his Democratic challenger Cynthia Given in November. The 109th District includes all of Edwards, Jasper, Richland, Wabash, Wayne and White counties and parts of Effingham and Lawrence counties.