Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is open to giving Illinois drivers a breather at the pump, telling reporters Monday, May 18, 2026, that he is “not opposed” to pausing the state’s gas tax as prices climb. The catch, he warned, is that any holiday on the tax would punch a hole in the money Illinois counts on to keep roads drivable and trains and buses running.
In a video obtained by FOX 32 Chicago, Pritzker says he is “not opposed to pausing the state's tax on gasoline” while repeatedly flagging “the lost revenue” that pays for infrastructure work. His comments effectively kick off a fresh round of local debate over how far Illinois should go to offer short-term relief.
How Big Is The Tax, And What Would A Pause Mean?
Illinois does not just slap a single fee on every gallon. According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Part A motor fuel excise was 48.3 cents per gallon for gasoline and Part B added about 17.0 cents per gallon, for a total of roughly 65.3 cents per gallon through June 30, 2026.
The Department’s April bulletin also shows that the Part A excise is set to tick up to 49.6 cents per gallon on July 1, 2026, the Illinois Department of Revenue reported.
Why The Revenue Matters For Roads And Transit
Those pennies per gallon are not pocket change for Springfield. Motor fuel tax receipts remain a core funding stream for highway repairs and public transportation, and cutting them would mean tradeoffs somewhere else in the transportation system.
Analyses from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and background materials from the Illinois Department of Transportation outline how motor fuel taxes flow into state and local road funds and transit accounts. The kind of shortfall Pritzker is warning about would eventually show up in project lists, construction timelines, and basic maintenance.
Politics, Precedent, And Pressure At The Pump
The argument over gas tax holidays is not unique to Illinois. On the national stage, President Trump has said he supports suspending the federal gas tax, a move that would require congressional approval, according to CBS News.
Some states have already made the leap. Indiana’s Gov. Mike Braun used an executive order in April to temporarily pause the state’s gasoline sales tax, WFYI Public Media reported.
What Happens Next In Springfield
Pritzker’s comments do not amount to a formal proposal, but they do move the conversation squarely into the Statehouse. He signaled that he is listening, without sketching out a detailed plan, and he repeatedly underscored the potential revenue hit.
Any actual pause would need sign-off from state lawmakers and a decision on how, or whether, to make up for the lost motor fuel money. That could mean tapping other funds, accepting trimmed-down road and transit projects, or some combination of both.
For now, Illinois drivers watching prices climb will have to wait on Springfield. Whether they get relief at the pump, and how big it is, will come down to how quickly legislators move and what offsets they are willing to put on the table as the debate plays out at the Capitol this spring and summer.
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