Illinois House Republicans hope to provide some relief at the gas pump by pausing the state's 5% sales tax on gasoline.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois House Republicans hope to provide some relief at the gas pump by pausing the state's 5% sales tax on gasoline.

GOP leaders told reporters in Springfield Wednesday that they would like to see this idea included in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget package so Illinoisans could pay less for gas from July 1 to Dec. 31.

Rep. Regan Deering (R-Decatur) said people in her district are making impossible decisions between paying for gas, groceries, or utilities.

"The majority can keep talking, or we can act," Deering said. "They can continue to shift the blame, or we can take on the challenges faced by our constituents and offer real relief and solutions."

This legislation was filed last week and has not been assigned to a House committee. Deering and Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) hope Gov. JB Pritzker will help champion the bill over the coming weeks.

"After JB Pritzker and Democrats raided downstate road funds for transit, downstate taxpayers deserve relief," Spain said. "Downstate has seen systemic disinvestment in our road and bridge infrastructure over the past several decades, but this taking escalated in a significant way when Democrats raided downstate road funds by seizing sales taxes on motor fuel and all market interest gained on unspent road funds to bail out mismanaged Chicago-area mass transit systems." 

However, the Pritzker administration told WAND News President Donald Trump's reckless decisions are destabilizing global oil markets and driving up prices at the pump for American families. Spokesperson Andres Correa said it is deeply telling that Republicans would rather point fingers than get President Trump to change course and bring stability that would actually lower prices.

"As Trump and Republicans take away healthcare and food assistance for working families, Gov. Pritzker is focused on lowering costs and always evaluating responsible ways to provide relief for Illinoisans," Correa said. "But, real relief starts with ending the war in Iran." 

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