Illinois Leaders Plan $56 Billion State Budget with Gas Tax Money

Illinois lawmakers and Governor JB Pritzker are working to create a $56 billion budget for the state. They plan to use extra money that comes from taxes on gas sales to help pay for government services. The budget must be finished by Sunday, and leaders have been working all weekend to get it done. High gas prices mean the state gets more tax money, which helps balance the budget.

Gas prices have gone up a lot since late February. In Chicago, gas costs about $4.82 per gallon now, compared to $2.91 before. When gas prices go up, the state gets more money from its 6.25% tax on gas sales. Democratic leaders want to use $150 million of this extra money to help pay for daily government operations instead of sending it to public transportation.

The budget plan includes pay raises for lawmakers and other government officials. All 177 members of the state legislature will get a 3.2% raise, bringing their salaries to $101,450 per year. This is the first time lawmakers in Illinois will make more than $100,000 a year. The governor and other state officials will also get similar raises, though Governor Pritzker doesn't take a salary because he is very wealthy.

Democratic leaders say this budget will help working families without raising their taxes. State Senator Elgie Sims explained that the plan will make life easier for families who are struggling with high prices. The budget includes some tax breaks that were used before, like pausing an increase in gas taxes and having a 10-day sales tax holiday for back-to-school shopping. These breaks are designed to help families during election year.