THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS FROM STATE REP BRANDUN SCHWEIZER’S OFFICE
Well it’s 2:17am on Oct 31, 2025 and the super majority just passed a super tax/fee increase! A $2.21 billion tax and fee increase that hits working families while taking money away from Downstate roads and bridges to fund Chicago’s transit system.
Here’s what it does:• Diverts the 5% sales tax on motor fuel away from the Road Fund — traditionally split 55/45 in favor of Downstate — and gives 85% to a new Northern Transit Authority and only 15% to Downstate transit only, no longer to infrastructure!
Estimated total shift: $860 million Downstate loses roughly $473 million that would have gone to local roads and infrastructure.• Adds a new $0.43 tollway capital surcharge on every vehicle, that is $0.43 increase to the toll, plus a 30% increase for commercial vehicles, adjusted every two years by inflation.
Estimated new revenue: $1.72 billion, paid by drivers.• Moves $175 million in annual interest from the Road Fund to mass transit, with 90% going north and again ONLY for transit, not roads and infrastructure.
• Raises the RTA sales tax in Cook and the collar counties by 0.25%, generating another $478 million in revenue — none of which benefits Downstate.
All told, this plan pulls more than $2.21 billion from taxpayers! At the same time, it cuts $1.04 Billion from roads and infrastructure. Downstate’s share of that totals about $570 Million!
I voted NO because this bill is another tax grab that hurts Downstate families, shortchanges our roads and bridges, and gives even more control and cash to Chicago.
Downstate Is Tired of Paying for Chicago’s Mismanagement!
