Galesburg Reporter

Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) is calling for lawmakers to have a special session to create relief for families facing financial struggles.

According to the Week in Review on her website, Tracy said that the General Assembly needs to help struggling Illinois families by capping the state’s sales tax on motor fuel at 18 cents per gallon and permanently eliminating the state’s sales tax on groceries and medicine

AAA reported Illinoisans are paying approximately $4.52 per gallon at the pump.

According to her website, "Tracy says it is unfortunate the Governor appears to be satisfied publicly touting his temporary elimination of the sales tax on groceries and a six-month delay on the state’s two-cent inflationary motor fuel tax increase.”

Tracy is referring to the six-month freeze of the state’s motor fuel tax in the state’s upcoming 2023 Fiscal Year budget.

“This new law puts money back in the pockets of homeowners and families in the South Suburbs,” Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort) said in a release. “We are slowly recovering from the most severe public health crisis that our state, country and the world has seen in the last century. It is crucial that we prioritize families by providing them with much needed and deserved relief to ensure Illinois’ economy keeps growing.”

The June report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows that the prices of goods has climbed to 9.1%, the largest 12-month increase since 1981.

Tax Foundation reported Illinois has an income tax rate of 6.25%.

Tracy was recently named a "Champion of Free Enterprise" by the Illinois Chamber. 

“The Illinois Chamber is delighted to have Tracy in the State Senate. Senator Tracy is a business leader in the private sector and yet devotes countless hours advocating for Illinois’ fiscal sanity for future generations of Illinoisans,” said Illinois Chamber President and CEO Todd Maisch. “Her real-world knowledge and commonsense approach are a breath of fresh air.”