Illinois legislators are attempting to force merchants to put signs informing the public of some “tax relief” initiatives done as part of the state’s new budget, lest citizens be insufficiently appreciative for their acts.
According to The Center Square, legislation requires gas stations to place labels on pumps declaring that a gas tax hike set to take effect on July 1 has been canceled, or face a fine.
The gas tax in Illinois was predicted to rise by around 2.2 cents per gallon. When all of the seats in the Democrat-controlled legislature are up for grabs, the state suspends the increase for six months. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, is also up for re-electionThe provision was included in a budget enacted at 3 a.m. Saturday, according to Scot Bertram of Hillsdale College.
The stickers are required to say, “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.”
Anyone who does not display the sticker may be fined $500 each day. If a holdout refuses to place a sticker between now and Election Day in November, the fine will be $65,000, according to the report.
The hefty gas tax, according to Republican state Rep. Mark Batinick, undercuts any thankfulness that locals may feel.
“So is the sticker going to say, ‘Hey, gas is 50 cents more a gallon over here across the border or across the river, it would have been 52.2 cents more, but here’s a sticker to say it’s only 50 cents more’?” According to the Center Square, Batinick stated.
The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association’s Josh Sharp believes the sticker requirement is unlawful.
“This industry won’t be forced into offering free election-year advertising for the Governor,” Sharp said in a statement.
“Ordering businesses to take part in speech that is compelled by the government under the threat of fines and criminal penalties is unwise and unconstitutional,” he said.
Sharp predicted that rather than submitting to the state, shops would sue.
Illinois’ gas tax was doubled in 2019, with an inflationary hike following that. The legislators decided to put that hike on hold.
According to the Center Square, grocery stores are also required to promote the wonders of state government under the legislation.
The state’s 1% grocery tax would be postponed for a year, and stores would be compelled to print “to the degree practical” on receipts.
The required message reads, “From July 1, 2022, through July 1, 2023, the State of Illinois sales tax on groceries is 0%.”
Bigger notice is welcome as an alternative, according to the report.
The legislation said that “if it is not feasible for the retailer to include the statement on any cash register tape, receipt, invoice, or sales ticket issued to customers, then the retailer shall post the statement on a sign that is clearly visible to customers.”
“The sign shall be no smaller than 4 inches by 8 inches.”