By: Mark Glennon*
Illinois lawmakers want to be sure you know about the “tax relief” you’re getting this election year. So, in the waning hours of session they inserted into their budget bill a requirement that private-sector retailers use signs and notations on receipts to tell consumers of how blessed they are.
But don’t get upset. This might actually be fun. Maybe a little creativity with those signs is in order.
The budget bill passed by both houses requires gas stations to post a sign on all pumps saying “As of July 1, 2022, the State of Illinois has suspended the inflation adjustment to the motor fuel tax through December 31, 2022. The price on this pump should reflect the suspension of the tax increase.”
In truth, that’s referring only to a temporary suspension of tax increase of a just 2.2 cents a gallon. That’s a lousy $15 per year according to an economist, for most households. That increase was scheduled to go into effect July 1. Now, the increase will be delayed to January 1, assuming Gov. JB Pritzker signs the bill, which is expected.
Illinoisans will still be paying a total of 78 cents in gas taxes, the second-highest in the nation. Gas taxes have gone up about 100% since Pritzker took office.
The thinking behind the sign requirement, lawmakers claim, is that sales tax cuts don’t necessarily get passed along to consumers. The signs supposedly would pressure gas stations away from keeping prices high and pocketing the sales tax reduction. That’s pretty hard to see since there will be no tax reduction, only a temporary suspension of an automatic increase.
Grocery stores also must note on receipts that the state suspended the 1% grocery tax for a year. The message on the receipts must say “From July 1, 2022 through July 1, 2023, the State of Illinois sales tax on groceries is 0%.” If printing messages on receipts isn’t feasible, then the retailer must post a sign. What good that does escapes me. You don’t get the receipt until you’ve shopped, and grocery is a brutally low-margin business, which would make it hard for stores to pocket the savings.
How to deal with this nonsense?
Use your imagination. The bill only requires that the signs be at least four by eight inches, clearly visible to customers and have the required language in bold face.
But nothing says the signs can’t also say other things, or be of any length and in whatever size, or can’t have another sign right above or below saying whatever you want, far more conspicuously.
Maybe something like the one shown.
Have at it. Suggestions are welcome about what messaging could be inserted, short or long. But try to keep it reasonably clean.
-Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints.
A set of state lawmakers want to extend CPS’ current school closing moratorium to February 1, 2027 – the same year CPS is set to transition to a fully-elected school board. That means schools like Manley High School, with capacity for more than 1,000 students but enrollment of just 78, can’t be closed for anther three years. The school spends $45,000 per student, but just 2.4% of students read at grade level.
Hopefully, all media will get the message, in Illinois, too.
Ted joined Tom Miller of WJPF to talk about Illinois’ highest-in-the-nation property taxes, why lawmakers don’t want to touch the tax’s cost drivers, just how much Illinoisans’ tax burden has grown over the decades, why Gov. Pritzker failed to meet his promise to reform property taxes, and more.
The stickers should read, “JB Pritzger doubled the tax on a gallon of gasoline, plus added an automatic gas tax increase every July. JB Pritzger continues to allow a sales tax on gasoline as well and currently there are $0.78 cents a gallon in total taxes on YOUR gasoline purchases. Pritzger has decided not to increase gas taxes in July but will increase them in January. You will now save $0.02 cents per gallon until then”. Would that comply?
Time to move to KY! Anywhere but IL, you stay you pay!!!
“This still doesn’t decrease the existing price nor eliminate any of the rest of the tax you’re being charged, but Illinois government thinks you should be happy that you aren’t being charged more by the automatic increase they voted for all by themselves without a voter refferendum.”
How Very “Let Them Eat Cake” of You J(ail) B(ird)Pritzker. Keep Calm & Remember November is Coming!!
The signage, computer, and printing will cost more than the tax savings even if self printing. 🤦🤦🤦🤦 WoW 🤣🤣🤣
If the state wants them to post signs, why aren’t they supplying these signs? Why is it always up to everybody else to do the state (or Federal) dirty work? Let them supply the crap.
We need Term Limits At All Levels of Government!
Governor of Illinois – term limit. 2 weeks
“Unfunded mandates” is their tagline.
The problem is: With Democrats in charge, they are only in it for themselves. They totally abuse the power with which they were entrusted and do not care about the safety and security of Illinoisans. They let criminals go free to shoot up the streets, while they constantly push for Gun control for the rest of us, who pay their salaries. IL-Dems have voted for every tax increase imaginable, while wasting it on far left causes like the abortion mega-Auschwitz they threw up in Fairview heights and not putting any signs on it until it was done. And they do… Read more »
VOTERS NOTICE:
THE DELAY IN TAX INCREASE WOULD SAVE THE AVERAGE MOTORIST $15 PER YEAR, BUT THE DELAY IS ONLY SIX MONTH.
ON JANUARY I, THE INCREASES WILL RESUME.
IS SAVING $7 1/2 – ONCE – ENOUGH TO RE-ELECT DEMOCRATS?
I am so totally disillusioned by Illinois leadership that I don’t believe a word they say. It’s all about staying in power, not what is right for the people of Illinois. Corruption run totally amuck.
Nothing to see here, simple vote buying is what this is!!!!
If jb and lori can save me $4.57 a year on gas im voting for all democrats!!-GO JB!-its worth it,no really!!
Hmmm! Sorry to say I won’t be seeing those signs. I’ve been gassing up in Indiana for the past 6 – 8 months and saving $4 to $8 per tank. I’ll even travel there when I have no other reason to go there. If you live close enough to another state it’s worth the trip!
Time to move to Indiana as well and stop funding Illinois.
I moved to WI – only stupid thing I did was stay in IL 35 years too long.
Crooked/Corrupt Illinois Democrats’ Phony Gas Tax Cut Is Hardly A Cut At All — And Only Temporary — Plus It Forces Gas Pumps To Be Pritzker Campaign Signs
Just list all the motor fuel taxes you’re paying (federal,mutate, county, municipality, and sales tax) on the sign for everyone to clearly see. Then remind folks to remember this in November when they come to vote.
amen… there should a clearly posted list of the per gallon taxes
“The few pennies you saved are courteous of the idiots in Springfield.”
“Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for.” (Will Rogers)
“You’re getting what you deserve, you voters.”
“Here’s your pittance. Now be thankful and vote out the idiots who took it from you.”
Ha, for all time they have taken great effort to hide what taxes they charge at the pump, now they want to advertise not raising them? Not lowering, just not raising them, I see. Your receipt at the pump conveniently doesn’t print the taxes itemized out. The LCD screen on the pump also doesn’t tell you about the taxes, how nice for them. Silent taxation. Now they decide to be benevolent so they have to advertise it, cant let benevolence go to waste, is that it? Giving anonymously is a bedrock Christian value, don’t seek fame in giving. We know… Read more »
This all fun and encouraging but most of the dopey Chicago electorate will vote for democrats regardless of their tax and spend policies-derr,i live in Chicago and jb has helped ALL Ilinoisans-pathetic
If inflation keeps pushing up the price of gas, groceries and everything else, jbs pathetic signs will backfire bigtime
“Thanks to this temporary suspension of the tax increase, Illinois has moved from having the 2nd highest gas tax in the nation to having the… 2nd highest gas tax in the nation.
It’s important to Governor Pritzker that you know that.”
Gas is $3.49 in Oklahoma right now.
This weekend paid $3.69/gallon in Wisconsin.
Me too. $0.60 cents cheaper per gallon than the Illinois stations 3 miles away.
This is such a great opportunity to skewer the Democrats.
ILLINOIS FUN FACT:
BILLIONAIRE GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER DOESN’T EVEN KNOW HOW TO OPERATE A GAS PUMP
or
ILLINOIS FUN FACT:
EX STATE WORKERS CAN AFFORD $10 A GALLON GAS WITH THEIR LAVISH STATE PENSIONS. BUT MOST LIVE IN FLORIDA ANYWAY.
ILLINOIS FUN FACT:
BILLIONAIRE GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER SAVED MORE MONEY ON HIS TAXES BY REMOVING TOILETS FROM HIS MANSION THAN YOU WILL SAVE ON TAXES IN YOUR ENTIRE LIFE
ILLINOIS FUN FACT:
BECAUSE ILLINOIS IS A DEMOCRAT APPROVED SANCTUARY STATE, ILLEGAL ALIENS DON’T CARE ABOUT PAYING GAS TAXES SINCE THEY HAVE MONEY LEFTOVER FROM NOT PAYING INCOME AND PROPERTY TAXES LIKE YOU DO
I would add:
THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WILL RETURN TO NORMAL CRUSHING TAXES ON JANUARY 1ST IF YOU RE-ELECT ANY DEMOCRATS.
IF YOU MOVE TO ANOTHER STATE NOT RUN BY DEMOCRATS, YOUR TAXES WILL GO DOWN.
I don’t own or work at a gas station.
One message idea is “Save More By Driving Less”
Another message idea would help drivers close enough to a border. An example would be “You May Save Money By Filling-up In Wi”.
What’s so gallingly pathetic is that the dem machine party that claims to fight against voter suppression, for voter rights, the working man, etc is so comfortable assuming the average Illinois voter is so stepin-fetchit/ uncle tom stupid that they’ll fall for these cheep tricks for $15 buck savings a year on gas in exchange for their vote. And meanwhile they pass a giant stealth giveaway to education unions with endless paid covid sick days with no way to pay for it, they’re hiding the unemployment fraud #s, they can’t repay the unemployment loan because they’re so pension broke they… Read more »
The powers that be want you to be happy that they have showered you with mere pennies after they doubled the gas tax a few years back.
There is no bread? Let them eat cake!
Or in this case , gas is too high? Buy a 50k electric car!
Another unfunded mandate on businesses that will have to raise the selling price of items to cover the new sign costs.
This is bound to elicit two reactions from customers:
Now stores are going to have to re-explain what is and what is not subject to the 1% grocery tax.
This has the potential to backfire splendidly on the JB Crew.
And I hope like oh hell it does backfire big time like you stated.
Will you fight back by saying something additional/derogatory on your sign or fight back by leaving the state? How much freedom are you willing to sacrifice for the privilege of living in liberal utopia?
The legislation states “The sign shall be clearly visible to customers.” which gives you a lot of discretion on font size and emphasis.
“As of July 1, 2022, the State of Illinois has suspended the
INFLATION adjustment to the motor fuel tax
through December 31, 2022. The price on this pump should reflect the suspension of the
TAX INCREASE.”
Exactly.
People gonna cover up the sign with stickers of PedoJoe saying “I did this!”
So, the government can now *compel* speech…?
And at significant expense to private business owners…
That looks like an entirely viable lawsuit to me.
The state did something similar in 2000 when gas prices we’re getting out of hand. You can still see the original language in this House bill.
They have been compelling speech in this way for a long time, such as nutrition labels on food products, OSHA and DOL signs in workplaces, etc. The DOL sign regulations resulted in companies selling signs to small businesses, one-stop shopping to make sure you are compliant.
Jay Bob and George need that gas price high to facilitate their Rivian scheme. What was Ukraine named before it was called Ukraine? Why is that important here?
The gas tax will be delayed, get that part? DELAYED. The tax is gonna kick in in January instead of July so the bottom line is gas prices are going up, period. I hope and pray that the democraps get their collective asses kicked in upcoming elections, especially here in Illinois. Nothing but a bunch of thieves, corrupt thieves at that and absolutely do not care about the citizens of the state only their donors, family and those holding payback IOU’s.
If the tax will increase in January then the normal scheduled gas tax will kick in July. So 2 tax increases in one year.
And right you are. Will the news media report this. Hahahahahaha!
The Democrats should change the name of their political party to “Scumbags” a more appropriate title.
This just demonstrates the disconnect between Illinois politicians and their victims. The pennies they throw at them are supposed to make them feel better about the dollars the stole from them. Just wait until the summer fuel adjustment hits in a few weeks. The recent reduction in gas prices that came from Biden tapping the US fuel reserve will be wiped out. Increased demand from summer driving will jack up prices further. Richard Irvin should get the commercials ready. Hammering JB and the Dems all summer long.
Richard Irvin may not make the cut in the primary. Just say republican candidate.
I think Irvin’s going to make the cut. Of all the people I’ve asked, all of them seem to be learning Irvin because he’s backed by Ken Griffin. I believe he got the best chance of wining. We have to be realistic – let’s not make the we need an ideologically pure candidate to win – that’s exactly what the progressives do and they get nothing for it. JB is the most progressive governor we’ve ever had, he’s super far to the left of most of the state, and if we can get a gov. even just to the right… Read more »