A trip to the grocery store may cost you more if a blue state enacts a drive-per-mile tax. Because, in Illinois, politicians never seem to run out of ways to squeeze more money out of hardworking Americans.
State Rep. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) has decided that since gas tax revenue is declining—thanks to fuel-efficient cars and electric vehicles—the answer isn’t to cut spending or reprioritize budgets but rather to find a whole new way to tax people for simply existing. Enter the proposed road mileage tax, a plan to charge drivers per mile driven. Yes, you read that right. They want to monitor how far you drive and tax you accordingly.
Of course, the excuse is that this money is needed for “safety” and “infrastructure.” Because Illinois, a state notorious for mismanaging funds, failing to maintain roads despite already having some of the highest gas taxes in the country, and being a financial disaster zone, totally needs more of your money to definitely fix potholes this time.
Feel like you’re already paying too much at the pump?
Now Illinois residents may be taxed by the mile, too.
Illinois drivers are already ranked second-highest for gas taxes, but apparently that’s not enough for Springfield.https://t.co/UGZ6t0UC6d
— Illinois Policy (@illinoispolicy) March 14, 2025
And naturally, they’ve trotted out a university professor to back it up. Joe Schwieterman from DePaul University is here to tell everyone that, sure, it’s not “politically popular,” but taxing people per mile is inevitable. He even points to Oregon and Utah, where similar systems exist. And, of course, he assures everyone that the technology is there, meaning the government can track exactly how far you drive. Comforting, right?
The plan is still in its infancy, but let’s be honest—this is Illinois we’re talking about. If there’s a way to turn this into another bloated, inefficient, bureaucratic nightmare that punishes the middle class while failing to actually improve roads, they’ll find it.
The biggest question, even among some supporters, is whether anyone actually trusts Illinois politicians to handle this money responsibly. Schwieterman himself admits, “There’s so much mistrust in our state government. Are they going to take this money and blow it on, you know, pork projects?” Well, let’s look at Illinois’ track record. This is a state that raised gas taxes and still has some of the worst roads in the country. A state that continuously raises property taxes but still mismanages public services. And a state where corrupt politicians are practically a tradition. But sure, this time they’ll definitely use the money wisely.
Meanwhile, electric vehicle owners, who were once promised savings for making the switch, are now realizing the bait-and-switch. One EV driver, Anthony Are, happily noted that he saves money on gas—only to find out that now the government wants to find another way to tax him anyway. Who could have seen that coming?
Make no mistake, this is just another way for blue states to reach deeper into your pockets. And if Illinois gets away with it, expect other Democratic states to follow suit. First, it’s a “pilot program.” Then, it’s a full-fledged tax. Then, suddenly, you’re paying a premium just to drive to work, while state officials still can’t figure out why their budget is a mess.
Illinois to impose the highest taxes in the nation & this is why @GovPritzker has been so adamant about gaslighting ppl into believing it’s the action of the Trump administration that will make you stretch your paycheck.
📄@illinoispolicy https://t.co/SeZB6iqpgp
— Libs Of Chicago (@Libs_OfChicago) March 8, 2025
The bottom line? This isn’t about “infrastructure.” It’s about control. It’s about tracking your movement, taxing your freedom, and making sure the government always has another way to take more of what you earn. Illinois drivers, buckle up—it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
