Sangamon Sun

Republican candidate for the 95th State House District Kent Gray is warning voters to not vote for Democratic or Republican lawmakers who voted to raise the tax on gasoline in 2019.

“One of the major factors that convinced me to run this year, is that REPUBLICANS provided the votes to pass a 100% increase in the Illinois gas tax. That amounts to more than a billion dollars a year in new taxes. But it's worse. Their tax increase goes up by about another 5% of the original tax each and every year in the future. Forever,” Gray posted on Facebook.

In 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill doubling the state's  gas tax. Illinois has the second-highest gas tax in the country. Lawmakers are discussing the possibility of lowering or eliminating the tax.

“If I was ever convinced to double my neighbors’ taxes, and then vote to have them go up another 5% each and every year, with no end, I would resign my office in shame and likely slit my wrists,” Gray added. “Please stop voting for these people! Especially when they call themselves Republicans.” 

Gray, a former Trump administration official who is based in Springfield, is running in the Republican primary for Illinois state representative in the 95th District against Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield). He previously served on the Lincoln Land Community College Board of Trustees for almost two decades. Gray formerly worked as the Illinois Comptroller's executive assistant and as a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Industry's staff. In addition, he has served in the Illinois House of Representatives.

The Illinois Policy reported that the people of Illinois pay 77.96 cents per gallon for taxes alone. That is federal and state taxes combined. Across the border to the west, Missouri pays the second-lowest gas tax. In Illinois, a gallon of gas costs 42 cents more than Missouri due to differing tax policies.