Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Fuel & Retail Association is asking a judge to find the fuel pump sticker requirement unconstitutional. 

The challenge in the courts is occurring as gas prices in the state are set to eclipse $6 per gallon. 

“We just felt like we couldn’t leave our members in that position and unfortunately we had to do exactly what we said we’d do when this legislation was filed which was litigate this matter in the courts,” the group’s CEO and president Josh Sharp told America’s Talking. “At the end of the day we hope to get the law permanently struck down, but in the meantime, we are looking for hopefully a temporary restraining order against the state when it goes into effect July 1.”

As part of the budget, state law is requiring gas stations to display signs stating that the gas tax has been deferred in what many are calling an election year ploy. "As of July 1, 2022, the State of Illinois has suspended the inflation adjustment to the motor fuel tax through December 31, 2022. The price on this pump should reflect the suspension of the tax increase," the mandatory signage  reads. 

Retailers who fail to display such a sign will be fined $500 per day. House Bill 1497, which was passed together with the state budget this year, contains the language. Illinois’ gas tax is the third highest in the country.

The gas tax sticker is not the only notification required for display in the state. Pritzker’s budget also mandates grocery businesses place a notation on receipts. 

“The State of Illinois sales tax on groceries is 0% from July 1, 2022 through July 1, 2023,” the note to consumers reads. If a grocery store is unable to affix the note, it must display it on a four- by eight-inch sign in the store.