Quincy Reporter

The Adams County Republican Party is warning Illinoisans of a pending increase in taxes on July 1.

“Get ready. Life for Illinoisans is about to become much more expensive in less than a week,” the Adams County Republican Party said on Facebook. “Effective July 1st…The temporary grocery tax suspension will end, reinstating the 1% tax on grocery sales.”

It also highlighted that Illinoisans should expect a “rise of over 3 cents per gallon in gasoline prices. Certain fees will double, including a charge on county recorder real-estate documents and cremation permits for county coroners.”

“15 local municipalities will implement a sales tax increase,” the Adams County Republican Party said. “Illinoisans need a break, but we need to do more than talk—we need action. Every time a Republican Senator stands on the floor of the Illinois State Senate, they see that they are outnumbered. Looking back at them are Illinois Democrats who are completely out of touch with Illinois families, workers, and seniors.”

The party also suggested that “Republicans MUST increase our numbers and raise our voices because Republicans are not ready to give up on Illinois, and they know you aren't, either. We CAN get more conservatives elected, and we NEED to do that for our families and children.” 

Beginning on July 1, two taxes on essential items in Illinois are set to increase. The state's gas tax will rise by 3.1 cents per gallon, bringing the total tax to 45.4 cents, marking the second increase in the motor fuel tax this year, according to The Center Square. Additionally, the state's 1% tax on groceries, which was temporarily suspended during last year's election cycle, will be reinstated. Governor J.B. Pritzker defended the reinstatement, citing the need for local government funding, while critics argue that the tax increases place a burden on residents who are already facing high property taxes. The state's recently approved fiscal year 2024 budget also includes other fee increases.

Illinois implemented a gas tax increase on Jan. 1, adding 3.2 cents per gallon of gas, resulting in the state having the second-highest gas tax in the United States after California. The State Motor Fuel Tax in Illinois is currently set at $0.423 per gallon of gasoline and $0.498 per gallon of diesel fuel until June 30, Mahomet Daily reported.

Illinoisans will also experience an increase in food prices starting on July 1 as the one-year suspension of the grocery tax, implemented by Pritzker during his election year, comes to an end. Despite discussions on making the tax suspension permanent, the majority of state lawmakers opted against joining the majority of states that do not tax groceries at all. According to Illinois Policy, only 13 states in total taxing groceries and Illinois is the only among the ten most populous states to impose a tax on groceries.