Illinois Press

Director of Operations at Taxpayers United of America’s, Jared Labell, was quoted by Alton Daily News about I Ride.

Amid an outpouring of angry reactions about a measure to tax Illinois drivers by the mile, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, says he won’t advance his proposal.
Cullerton took to social media late Friday to make the announcement.
“I filed legislation to start discussion and debate and get feedback on how the state could replace the gas tax. I’ve received a lot of constructive feedback that will help shape future policies. I do not intend to move forward with SB 3267,” Cullerton wrote.
Taxpayers United of America Director of Operations Jared Labell said he understands the frustration from Illinois commuters and that the bill would have been highway robbery.
“I think taxpayers are very motivated right now to push back,” Labell said. “Hopefully, as lawmakers in Springfield fight about the budget impasse, taxpayers can really make an impact now as things are coming to a head.”
Labell said taxpayers are beginning to make their voices heard.
“Sometimes they won’t react to a half-a-billion-dollar property-tax increase, but taxpayers and people in general will see these other little taxes and start to connect the dots and see how one tax increase leads to another,” Labell said.
A similar tax bill proposed by state Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, would have raised the gas tax by 30 cents and would have included a vehicle-miles tax. Steans’ bill was postponed April 14.

Director of Operations at Taxpayers United of America’s, Jared Labell, was quoted by WQAD about I Ride.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A new proposal could tax Illinois drivers by the mile and mean devices are used to track the distance they travel.
The proposal from state Senate President John Cullerton to pay for fixing Illinois’ roads is aimed at gasoline tax revenue that has declined, the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reports. He says vehicles getting better mileage still wear on roads, and that there needs to be a better way for the state to collect taxes and fund repair work.
Under the plan, drivers could choose one of two ways that a device monitors their mileage, or opt to pay a 1.5-cent-per-mile tax on a base 30,000 miles traveled annually.
Cullerton says Illinois drivers would receive a refund for costs of gasoline taxes.

Director of Operations at Taxpayers United of America’s, Jared Labell, was quoted by FOX 2 about I Ride.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (KTVI) – Some say a plan to tax Illinois drivers by the mile is highway robbery. The idea is being talked about in Springfield as a way to shore up funding for what some say is crumbling infrastructure.
A current proposal by the leader of the Illinois Senate would give Illinois drivers a rebate on the current fuel tax to make up for the tax they would pay for each mile. The reason for the plan is consumers are using less fuel. One factor is vehicles are more fuel efficient. The advancement have resulted in less tax money for the state.
The plan would tax drivers a flat rate of $450 dollars a year. That’s based on a 1.5 cent tax for every mile and a figure of 30,000 miles a year. If a driver feels they would travel fewer than 30,000 miles a year, they could have a monitoring device installed and pay 1.5 cents for every miles traveled. A separate monitor would determine when the vehicle left the state, so no out of state miles would be taxed.
Out of state drivers would not receive a rebate at the pump. They would pay the gas tax currently in place.
“I think it’s overly complicated,” said Marine resident Scott Calvin. “I think we get taxed enough. I think Illinois probably needs to get their budget under control.”
Other drivers we talked with say they want to know more about the plan. One taxpayer group has heard enough.
“It’s highway robbery saying you owe $450 for just being a driver in Illinois or be tracked everywhere you go,” said Jared Labell, Taxpayers United of America. “With 14 years of budget deficits, over $111 billion in unfunded liabilities, they’re trying to find money anywhere they can.”
Others believe the state is in desperate need of increasing funding mechanisms. They predict if infrastructure issues are not addressed soon, the Illinois economy will be hurt even more.