Southern Illinois News

Illinois state Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), a GOP gubernatorial candidate, slammed his Nov. 8 election opponent, incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker, over a call for a special session.

It's been months since Bailey asked for a special session to address Illinois' economic state.

“Gas prices in Paducah are nearly 50 cents per gallon cheaper than the prices in Metropolis," Bailey said. "The reason states like Kentucky have such dramatically cheaper gas prices is the difference in taxes. Illinois taxes are too high, and it is time for us to take decisive action to help struggling families in Illinois. It’s been more than 60 days since I called on Gov. Pritzker to call a special session of the legislature to repeal his disastrous gas tax hike and address economic hardships in Illinois.”

What has been the response from Pritzker? Bailey asked.

“Nothing,” he said. “He’s either too busy running for president or doesn’t care that Illinois families are struggling under his failed leadership.”

Earlier this year, Bailey called upon the Illinois General Assembly to act on the gas tax, according to a report by WDBR. For almost thirty years, the state's portion had been 19 cents, but it was then doubled and indexed to inflation.

“(Gov. J.B.) Pritzker had a chance to do what’s right and remove or suspend this tax,” Bailey said in the WDBR report. “Instead, he failed. Billionaire J.B. decided to merely freeze the increase and throw a couple of pennies at struggling families here in Illinois. That’s a disgrace. That’s unacceptable.”

Pritzker approved a measure in 2019 that doubled the state's gas tax, the Sangamon Sun reported. The second-highest gas tax in the United States is in Illinois. The option of reducing or removing the tax is being discussed by lawmakers.

Drivers in Illinois now pay the second-highest gas taxes in the U.S. at about 78 cents per gallon, according to Illinois Policy.