Prairie State Wire

Jim Dodge fears Democratic lawmakers in Springfield might have a new policy adviser.

“I hear some of the policies they’re pushing like this mileage tax idea, and I wonder if maybe they’re taking their cues from George Orwell or somebody,” Dodge told the Prairie State Wire. “It’s really that intrusive of people and how they come and go in their lives.”

The potential mileage tax measure would require motorists to place a device in their vehicles that will monitor their travels and tax them based on the number of miles they drive, Illinois News Network (INN) reports.

Mike Frerichs

The plan gained traction recently after Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker expressed openness to it as a way to fund infrastructure projects across the state.

INN estimates that annual repair bills cost approximately $21 billion.

“This comes down to just being another money grab,” said Dodge, who is running as a Republican for state Treasurer against Democratic incumbent Mike Frerichs. “Democrats just seem to want to keep grabbing more money. You never hear talk about structural reforms to lower taxes or reducing the cost of government. This miles tax thing isn’t new. Back in 2016, Rep. John Cullerton (D-Chicago) actually filed legislation to do this. This is serious business for them.”

A mileage tax will only do more harm, Dodge said.

“This will absolutely destroy Illinois,” he said. “It’s a way for Chicago politicians to finally tax downstate residents. For Democrats and liberals, tax and spend is their approach to everything.”

Dodge finds it ironic that the people who have caused so much damage to the state now want to be entrusted with even more taxpayer money to patch things up, he said.

“I think it will only accelerate the financial demise of Illinois,” he said. “We would see ourselves lag even further behind in job growth and property values and you will see our overall financial condition worsening.”