East Central Reporter

State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) has a one-track mind when it comes to the issue of more taxes in Illinois.

“I’m opposed to any tax increase on anything for any reason,” Miller, the newly elected lawmaker told East Central Reporter. “These guys in Springfield have track records that tell us they are irresponsible with any funding they have. Look at 2011 and 2017, everything was supposed to be great after both of those tax increases and now here we are again back at the table. As a legislator, it would be completely irresponsible of me to agree to give them more money to mismanage.”

The Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee recently signed off on a bill that would dubiously distinguish Illinois as home to the highest gas tax burden in the U.S. House Bill 391 would more than double the current gas tax to 44 cents per gallon and raise annual license registration fees from $98 to $148. 

State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland)

Finally, the bill would also see the annual registration costs for electric vehicles soar from $17.50 to over $1,000.

“The elephants in the room that no one wants to talk about are these out-of-control pensions,” Miller said. “That's why taxes are always rising and since I've gotten to Springfield there hasn’t been one conversation about them. Another thing we have to deal with is the Medicaid system. We need to get it figured out and we’ve got to stop spending on illegal citizens that aren’t supposed to be here to begin with. If we can get those things fixed, we’ll have more money than we’ll ever need.”

Currently, Illinois is one of just seven states to impose a sales tax on gas. The state also has a Chicago and Cook County sales tax along with a state motor fuel tax.