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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association,
representing Illinois gas stations and convenience stores, today
issued the following statement in response to Gov. J.B.
Pritzker’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022 as outlined in
his speech today:
“At a time when so many small businesses and families they
support are teetering and on the brink of disaster, this new
Illinois budget proposal would push many over the edge.
“Proposing to close millions of dollars in ‘tax loopholes’ and
ending other incentives for businesses that were negotiated just
a couple of years ago will undermine any progress we might be
able to make in climbing out of the pandemic hole in 2021 if
they become law. Make no mistake, these will be tax increases on
businesses – and Illinoisans will suffer because of them.
“Particularly concerning for my members is more quickly ending
an exemption for the sale of biodiesel at the gas pump, valued
at $107 million. This change would add approximately 20 cents to
a gallon of diesel fuel and is especially egregious considering
that Illinois is one of only six states that already imposes a
sales tax on motor fuels. Ending this incentive would also be
incredibly damaging to our vital agriculture community in
Illinois and hurt my small business members at a time when it’s
so easy for customers to drive across state lines to fill up
their vehicles.
“Congress created the CARES Act to provide a lifeline of support
for businesses across the country after the devastating effects
of the pandemic. The Legislature soundly rejected the idea of
decoupling from federal tax aid for small businesses during the
lame duck session a few weeks ago, but the issue is not dead
yet. Now, as businesses are filing their tax returns this
spring, this bad idea is even worse and we urge our policymakers
to reject it.
“We call on the Governor and legislators to work on a better
state budget framework this spring that recognizes the pain
caused by the pandemic, and doesn’t add further to the misery
many small businesses and families are facing. It’s time to do
better.”
[RK PR Solutions / Josh Sharp, CEO
Illinois Fuel and Retail Association]
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