Instead of voting on new taxes to reduce transportation revenue shortfalls, Illinois voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to ensure that transportation fees and taxes are only spent on roads and transit, the so-called "lockbox" measure.
Unable or unwilling to raise the 31 cent gas tax [per API], not raised since 1991, Illinois legislators passed "common sense" legislation, in the words of Sen. Bill Haine, D-Alton, one of the many sponsors of HJRCA 36. While it does nothing to increase transportation revenues, it creates a virtual trust fund or budget "lock-box," like those found in many other states and the federal government, to ensure that transportation user fee and tax revenues are spent only on transportation-related purposes.
"The effort comes as Illinois' infrastructure wish list continues to grow, but money earmarked for transportation projects is routinely diverted to fill other budget holes," writes Monique Garcia, state government and political reporter for the Chicago Tribune. "While some advocacy groups have called for a gas tax increase, raising taxes is politically unpopular during an election year."
Chicago-based Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, called for a 30-cent gas tax and vehicle registration fee increases in a new report posted here last month. MPC Senior Fellow James R. Reilly urges a "yes" vote on the lockbox measure.
History suggests voters would be wise to approve this amendment. Time and again, particularly in years when state revenues have been tight, the General Assembly has dipped into what’s known as “the road fund.”
Unlike more road-oriented transportation constitutional amendments, such as California's Article XIX, far more transportation purposes are allowed under Constitutional Amendment 36 according to Garcia.
[Lockbox] money could then only be spent on road construction and repair, enforcing traffic laws, paying off debt on transit projects and even costs associated with workers injured on the job. The change would not apply to state and local sales taxes that often are added on top of the gas tax motorists pay at the pump.
Garcia notes that the lockbox could remove one obstacle to the passage of a potential future gas tax hike — that transportation revenue would be used as intended rather than diverted to more pressing budgetary needs. However, as noted countless times by Planetizen, the norm is for General Fund money to be diverted to transportation projects, not vice-versa.
As posted here last month, the Prairie State is also considering implementing a vehicle mile traveled fee program to deal with the transportation shortfall.
Amendment 36 would be "the only legislatively-approved amendment voters will get a chance to weigh in on this fall," adds Garcia.
The measure appears in Ballotpedia. "If you know of any opposition to this measure, please contact [email protected]," notes the listing.
Hat tip to The AASHTO Daily Transportation Update.
FULL STORY: Gas tax 'lockbox' constitutional amendment to appear on Nov. 8 ballot
Unable or Unwilling to Hike Gas Taxes, Illinois and New Jersey Go to Voters
However, neither state will ask voters to increase the gas tax. Instead, they ask voters to assure that gas tax and other transportation-derived revenues are spent on transportation. Neither state has raised the tax in over 25 years.
$3.5 Billion Bond Measure to Keep BART in Good Repair Approved for November
After extensive outreach, the BART Board of Director settled on the $3.5 billion sum to be on the November ballot. 'Unmet capital needs' are the target of the property tax measure.
Let Smokers Pay for Roads
Missouri has come up with a unique way to pay for roads, and it's even a user fee, though it bears no direct relation to road users other than for those driving to the store to buy their cigarettes. So much for using the tax to address public health.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie