NW Illinois News

Illinois Rep. Dan Swanson is pushing for increasing oil and gas production after seeing spikes in prices at the pump.

Swanson said this issue is not “partisan.”

“This is not a partisan political issue but is a national security concern for our country and a real concern for all of the families and seniors on fixed incomes who are struggling every day with rising gas prices,” he said. “Whether you’re a farmer planting crops, a trucker hauling our goods, or a business owner providing services, we need to act on this energy independence problem immediately and it should be a priority for the federal government.”

Rep. Dan Swanson | Photo Courtesy of Rep. Dan Swanson

Others, like Swanson, point out that gas prices are impacting families.

“Capping Illinois’ sky-high taxes on gasoline would be welcome relief for Illinois motorists and fuel retailers as inflation and geopolitical forces continue to wreak havoc on the economy,” Josh Sharp, CEO of Illinois Fuel and Retail Association, said on Sen. Darren Bailey’s website.

State Rep. Patrick Windhorst and Swanson are co-sponsors of a bill that would cap the state’s gas tax.

“I am also co-sponsoring legislation along with Leader Mark Batinick, Rep. Paul Jacobs and Rep. Dan Swanson that would cap the rate of sales tax at 0.18 cents per gallon of gas,” Windhorst wrote on his website. “(House Bill) 5481 would prevent the sales tax on a gallon of gas from ever going above that amount regardless of an increase in gas prices.”

House Resolution 719, filed by Swanson on March 8, declared that the country's independence for oil and natural gas energy is an urgent national priority. It also calls on President Biden and Congress to take “all possible steps” to maximize immediate U.S. oil and gas production.

The Peoria Journal Star reported that many factors play into the price of a gallon of gas, from the taxes that increased on July 1, 2021, to 39.2 cents per gallon and federal gas taxes as well. Refinery location can also be an issue.

AAA reported on March 21 that Illinois' average price for a gallon of gas was $4.51, and the national average was $4.25. A year ago, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Illinois was $3.05, and even a month ago, it was $3.66.