CHICAGO, Ill. – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says he’s looking at ways the state can lower the price of gas.
Pritzker’s State of the State and budget address in February included a proposal to cancel a scheduled increase in the 39 cents per gallon gas tax. But, the Democrat says that was then.
“We recognize, even since I introduced my budget, that war has now broken out,” said Pritzker, in response to a question from reporters. “The result of that war is that oil prices have gone through the roof.”
Pritzker did not say what those ideas are.
“We’re at $100 or over $100 a barrel, and that’s way above where it was even back in early February when I introduced the budget,” said Pritzker.
Republicans in the Illinois House say a proposal of theirs to cut the state gas tax to 18 cents per gallon hasn’t gone anywhere.
Pritzker used the question to again make a pitch for his Illinois Family Relief plan — which, in addition to the gas tax increase cancellation, also provides temporary relief from paying the state sales tax on groceries, and a one-time property tax refund.
Pritzker was asked about the gas tax Friday at a Chicago event where he announced a new initiative to improve the delivery of behavioral services to the state’s youth.
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