Illinois House Republicans claim Democrats and the Pritzker administration are not doing enough to fight inflation

Posted on March 16, 2022
State Rep. Patrick Windhorst (WIHND-horst) (R-Metropolis) is frustrated with inflation, certainly including the price of Illinois gasoline. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Almost fifty years ago, then-President Gerald Ford had “Whip Inflation Now” buttons. Maybe they should come back.

Before the Russian invasion, Gov. JB Pritzker suggested a grocery tax suspension and a pause on the state gas tax. That gas tax holiday would mean a couple of pennies a gallon.

Now that gas costs well over four dollars a gallon, it’s even more frustrating for lawmakers along Illinois’ borders, such as State Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis), to watch drivers go across the state line for cheaper gas, and “to buy other products as well. Our combined sales tax, property tax, income tax, and fuel taxes are consistently ranked as the highest in the nation,” Windhorst said.

If gas is something like $4.50 a gallon in southern Illinois, and $3.78 in Kentucky, how much should a gallon of gas really cost?

Neither Windhorst nor the three lawmakers with him had an answer other than: “Less.”

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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