Gas in Illinois is Top Ten in the nation and set to rise further

Understanding Illinois Gas Taxes: Breaking Down the Cost

When you pump gas in Illinois, you’re spending at least a dollar more per gallon on taxes than in any of the surrounding states. Illinois residents have one of the highest state gas tax burdens in the nation. As of May 2026, prices are averaging $4.99 per gallon.

Typical Illinois Gas Purchase (May 2026)

Crude Oil, Refining & Distribution:~$4.00

State Excise Tax: $0.48 set to rise to $0.496 on July 1, 2026

Federal Excise Tax: $0.18

DuPage County Gas Tax: $0.091 set to rise to $0.10 on July 1, 2026

Sales Tax (6.25%): ~$0.19

Environmental & UST Fees: $0.01

Total Per Gallon: ~$4.95

*Sources: Illinois Department of Revenue, U.S Energy Information Administration, AAA Gas Prices, DuPage County Sales Taxes.

The Illinois Tax Burden

Illinois drivers are paying some of the highest gas taxes in the country and about dollar more per gallon than our neighboring states: Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Missouri.

Taxes Keep Rising

2019: Illinois doubled its state gas tax from 19 cents to 38 cents per gallon as part of the “Rebuild Illinois” infrastructure plan

2020: DuPage County doubled its local gas tax from 4 cents to 8 cents, citing pandemic revenue losses

2019–Present: Both state and county gas taxes now include automatic annual increases tied to inflation, with no further legislative votes needed

2026: DuPage County gas tax is 9.1 cents and the state tax is 48.3 cents with both set to increase to 10 cents and 49.6 cents in July respectively

Gas Taxes Hurt Lower Income Families Most

Gas taxes are among the most regressive forms of taxation. This means they hit lower-income families the hardest.

Workers who can’t work remotely, such as nurses, grocery store workers, service industry employees, and small business owners, fill their tanks more frequently. They often drive older, less fuel-efficient vehicles. And they have fewer resources to absorb rising costs. Meanwhile, those who work remotely see little impact. This tax structure widens the gap between essential workers and those with flexibility.

What DuPage County Controls—And What It Doesn’t

Global crude oil markets set the base price of gas at the pump. DuPage County can’t control that. But the Board can control the 10-cent local tax it imposes on every gallon sold in our county.

The Questions to Ask

Is our local gas tax revenue being spent wisely?

Are our roads and bridges improving proportionally to what we’ve paid?

Should future tax increases be tied to measurable outcomes—not just automatic inflation adjustments?

What accountability structures exist to ensure taxpayers get value for their investment?

DuPage County Gas Tax Could Be Cut

The DuPage County Board doubled the gas tax from 4 to 8 cent in 2020 as a COVID-era measure to maintain revenue when people were driving less. COVID is over but the gas tax has only increased. It’s fair to ask why the Board has not reverted this COVID-era measure. The DuPage County Board has the power—and the responsibility—to answer that question with transparency and to take action to reduce the gas tax.

This is about more than gas prices. It’s about fairness, accountability, and building a county where working people have a real shot at success.

What This Means for Your Career

Rising transportation costs aren’t just an inconvenience—they’re a barrier to opportunity. When young adults, nurses, electricians, landscapers, and service workers spend an extra $1000+ per year on gas taxes alone, that’s money not going into skills training, education, savings accounts, or their families’ future.

As your DuPage County Board candidate, my Career Pathways platform isn’t just about creating jobs—it’s about removing barriers to success. That includes advocating for transparent, outcomes-based spending on the infrastructure that supports our workforce.

Let’s talk about making DuPage County work for working people.
Share your story — or start a conversation about how we can build pathways to opportunity.

Isobel Michaud for DuPage County Board
Bridging Career Pathways, Civic Engagement, and Community Investment
isobelmichaud.com