As of January 1, 2022, the motor fuel use tax in Illinois is $0.392 per gallon—only a mere 1.3% increase from last year and yet a record high for gas prices in the Land of Lincoln.
Illinois
already has a reputation for having some of the highest gas prices in the midwest. Factor in the supply-chain obstacles resulting from the pandemic, climate change, and foreign affairs, and you’ve got an equation for some seriously expensive fuel. Unfortunately, Illinois’s record-high gas tax doesn’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon. Get a better understanding of the Illinois gas tax with Jerry
, the licensed insurance shopping super app
that knows how to save you money on car insurance
and other car expenses. We’re diving into why Illinois gas prices are so high, plus how to save money at the pump. How much is the Illinois gas tax?
The 2022 Illinois gas tax is set at $0.392 per gallon. That’s a five-cent increase compared to the 2021 Illinois gas tax of $0.387—or about 1.3%—and the result is about $0.75 more per fill-up.
While a difference of less than a dollar may seem dismissible, Illinois drivers are monitoring gas prices by the penny. The 2022 Ilinois motor tax raise occurred amid some of the highest gas prices the state—and the entire country—has ever seen.
Considering the motor fuel tax in Illinois was $0.19 as recently as 2019, these rising trends are enough to cause any Illinois resident to change their driving habits.
Is gas tax relief on the way in Illinois?
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and other state lawmakers have already rolled out certain plans to provide relief to Illinois residents in response to rising tax rates across multiple industries.
Illinois programs that have targeted or will target gas tax relief include the following provisions of the Family Relief Plan
, which went into effect on June 30, 2022: Gas tax increases that were supposed to take place on July 1, 2022, have been suspended until July 1, 2023.
Qualifying Illinois residents who filed property and income taxes for the 2021 calendar year will begin receiving tax rebates of $50 to $400, depending on their circumstances.
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning nowHow high are gas prices in Illinois?
Gas prices can fluctuate by the day, but as of September 2022, the average price for a gallon of gas in Illinois is around $4.103, according to AAA.
For reference, the national average was $3.765 at the time this number was recorded. Illinois is not nearly as expensive as states like California or Nevada, but prices in Northeastern Illinois can significantly surpass the state average. Metropolitan areas in the rest of the state may be on the lower end, but they still ride dangerously close to the state average.
For example, Chicago has the worst average gas prices at $4.735 per gallon compared to $3.760 just one year ago. The gas prices in the rest of Cook County average out to $4.469 per gallon. On the other hand, Peoria—another major urban center located towards the center of the state—is seeing average gas prices of $3.986 per gallon. That’s a much more modest price hike compared to Peoria’s $3.294 a year prior.
If Chicago’s gas prices seem expensive, it’s because they are! And don’t forget that Chicago car insurance costs
are the most expensive in the state, so drivers in this metropolitan area have a lot of variable costs to consider. Compare the average September 2022 gas prices according to AAA in some of Illinois’s other major cities below:
Bloomington: $3.936 per gallon (vs. $3.200 in September 2021)
Champaign-Urbana: $3.757 per gallon (vs. $3.217 in September 2021)
Decatur: $3.779 per gallon (vs. $3.251 in September 2021)
Rockfield: $4.116 per gallon (vs. $3.269 in September 2021)
Springfield: $3.901 per gallon (vs. $3.263 in September 2021)
MORE: How to deal with rising gas prices in Illinois
Which state has the highest gas tax?
Illinois has the sixth-highest gas tax in the nation and the most expensive gas tax in the midwest. Compare the gas tax rates of all 50 states (and Washington D.C.) in September 2022 using the table below:
| |
---|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| $0.24 to $0.305 per gallon |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
4.717k Ratings 5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
How to save on fuel and insurance costs in Illinois
Pro tip: combat the impact of Illinois’s motor fuel tax with mindful driving habits like following speed limits and keeping up with proper maintenance
. These habits will also help when it comes to your car’s repair and insurance costs. Speaking of insurance costs, why not take some time to review yours and ensure you’re not overspending? Jerry
makes finding the best insurance prices for your location and driver profile easier than ever! Just download the app, complete a quick 45-second questionnaire, and watch as Jerry generates the most competitive quotes from 55+ top insurance providers. The average Jerry user saves over $800 a year— and that could come in handy the next time you pull up to the Illinois pumps!
“You must get this app! It’s my first time getting my own insurance, so I called a few companies myself. Their rates priced me around $600/month. I used Jerry
and my rates went down to $250/month. I’m so happy!” —Melissa C.
RECOMMENDEDThis app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍