Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Freedom Caucus is warning taxpayers of increases in taxes on July 1. 

The announcement was made as a delay in reinstating taxes on gas and groceries is set to expire.

“Illinoisans- go fill up your gas tanks before next week! Another Gas Tax increase brought to you by JB Pritzker, Democrats, and some squishy Republicans too!” the Illinois Freedom Caucus said on Facebook.

Beginning on July 1, two taxes on essential items in Illinois are set to increase. The state's gas tax will rise by 3.1 cents per gallon, bringing the total tax to 45.4 cents, marking the second increase in the motor fuel tax this year, according to The Center Square. Additionally, the state's 1% tax on groceries, which was temporarily suspended during last year's election cycle, will be reinstated. Governor J.B. Pritzker defended the reinstatement, citing the need for local government funding, while critics argue that the tax increases place a burden on residents who are already facing high property taxes. The state's recently approved fiscal year 2024 budget also includes other fee increases.

Illinois implemented a gas tax increase on Jan. 1, adding 3.2 cents per gallon of gas, resulting in the state having the second-highest gas tax in the United States after California. The State Motor Fuel Tax in Illinois is currently set at $0.423 per gallon of gasoline and $0.498 per gallon of diesel fuel until June 30, 2023, Mahomet Daily reported.

Illinoisans will also experience an increase in food prices starting on July 1 as the one-year suspension of the grocery tax, implemented by Pritzker during his election year, comes to an end. Despite discussions on making the tax suspension permanent, the majority of state lawmakers opted against joining the majority of states that do not tax groceries at all. According to Illinois Policy, only 13 states in total taxing groceries and Illinois is the only among the ten most populous states to impose a tax on groceries.