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Gas stations will post their own sign alongside state-mandated sign

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Illinois

* Press release…

Should the courts side with the state and force gas stations to post signs about the temporary gas tax relief approved in April, Josh Sharp, CEO of the IL Fuel and Retail Association, says the industry will make sure drivers know the whole truth about gas taxes in Illinois.

“We will follow the law and post the signs if the courts require us to do so,” Sharp said. “But we are going to make sure our customers understand the whole story about our state’s gas tax not just the part some of the lawmakers in Springfield want to talk about.”

The Legislature is mandating fuel retailers to post signs at their own expense to tell people about the six-month suspension of the CPI tax increase scheduled for July 1st of this year. The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association is challenging the posting requirement in court.

IFRA’s lawsuit complaint reads in part: “This specific amendment to the Motor Fuel Tax Law requires Plaintiffs and other retailers to choose between making a political statement they do not wish to make to their customers or the general public on behalf of the State of Illinois or facing criminal penalties. SB 157 violates Plaintiffs’ Free Speech rights as protected by Article 1, Section 4 of the Illinois Constitution, and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution by compelling political speech.”

If the courts ultimately rule in favor of the state, IFRA will provide member gas stations with signs to post. The proposed sign the Illinois Fuel and Retail Association will display reminds motorists that “Illinois politicians have more than doubled the gas tax since 2019.” It also states lawmakers “have decided to delay their tax hike until after the election,” and informs the public the signs have to be posted to avoid a $500 per day fine. The signage tells drivers the truth about Illinois gas taxes – and directs them to use the Illinois Policy Institute’s gas tax calculator to see the true cost of taxes at the pump.

“Lawmakers want us to tell the public an edited version of the history of the gas tax in Illinois,” Sharp said. “If they insist on us posting signs and the courts agree requiring private businesses to post these notices at their expense is Constitutional, we will comply, but we are going to tell the whole truth about gas taxes in Illinois. Here is the truth; delaying a tax increase does not equal a tax cut, and there are now TWO gas tax increases scheduled for 2023.”

A copy of the proposed signage is below:

Here it is…

Thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 12:47 pm

Comments

Well played IFRA, well played…

Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 12:50 pm
Be careful what you wish for, JB

Comment by Kane County Critic Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 12:53 pm
It’s better than the “Thank you Brandon” signs I’ve seen on some pumps.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 12:53 pm
My thoughts: it will be struck down. Any sign posted will have this counter-sign also posted, and I wager will also be “vandalized” by customers.

This self-serving unfunded mandate will backfire.

Comment by Vote Quimby Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 12:54 pm
Now mandate they post how much their CEOs are paid along with the profits for the last 6 months.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 12:58 pm
Goose, meet gander.

Comment by ChrisB Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:01 pm
A bit of The Streisand Effect in action. The bragging signs will draw attention to the other parts too

Comment by ddp76 Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:02 pm
They should post those signs whether the state mandated one is struck down or not. Right along with the Biden “I did that” signs. Because he did. And like governors and legislatures, Presidents own.

Comment by Captain Obvious Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:08 pm
This isn’t “alongside” mandated signage. This is the mandated signage. The law requires a 4×8 sign with “bold” text that is included on their example in the lower right hand corner.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:11 pm
===Right along with the Biden “I did that” signs. Because he did. And like governors and legislatures, Presidents own.===

Explain global gas and oil prices, today

Thanks.

To the post,

The stickers, gotta be honest, I barely pay attention to the pumps that have “video shows”, now I need to care about stickers.

These stickers reinforce the already held thoughts, - Captain Obvious - is a great example of the already angry group thirsting for validity, not looking at a global crisis where there isn’t a first world country not feeling the higher gas prices… but Biden…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:15 pm
And I’ll patronize places that don’t post political statements like this from IFRA.

Comment by Jibba Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:20 pm
Because one thing is certain. I always hang around and *read* stuff on the gas pumps. Especially with those loud video screens blaring ads directly in my face.

In what might be the only time I ever utter the phrase; I think both sides have gotten completely lost in the weeds here .

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:21 pm
Josh Sharp, aligning his forces with the Illinois Policy Institute, the bastion of doomsayers.

Comment by Baloneymous Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:29 pm
Dumb fight to pick by the state for something most drivers wouldn’t have cared about. Let’s focus on what matters, everyone.

Comment by Excitable Boy Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:30 pm
==And I’ll patronize places that don’t post political statements like this from IFRA. ==

So does that include what are basically political statements mandated by the legislature?

Come on man, the only reason to make these folks post signs that say ‘a tax increase that hasn’t happened yet has been postponed’ is a political thing. Let’s call the mandate what it is.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:33 pm
The only gas station sign law that I want is one that mandates that the price of gas on the sign is the same whether you pay in cash, credit, or get a car wash.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:36 pm
=So does that include what are basically political statements mandated by the legislature?=

Typically, when a gas tax moratorium has been imposed in the past, the price of gas hasn’t decreased. Operators have just pocketed the difference. Do you have a better way to combat that and make sure that a gas tax moratorium isn’t simply a windfall for gas station owners?

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:40 pm
Caption Not So Obvious, it was Trump’s buddy Putin, not Biden, who caused this.

Comment by Big Dipper Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:42 pm
What was the story with the gas tax holiday stickers in the late 90s/early 00s?

I swear I remember seeing those on pumps back in the day but don’t remember any controversy about them.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:44 pm
One Man…

I’m not a fan of the state sticker either, but the reaction to it was way over the top. A suit on First Amendment grounds, really? Nonsense. I’m planning on ignoring the state one, just like the Brandon stickers and video advertising.

Comment by Jibba Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:46 pm
== Josh Sharp, aligning his forces with the Illinois Policy Institute, the bastion of doomsayers.==

This comment makes no sense. IPI, loathsome as it may be, had nothing to do with the legislature trying to force gas stations to pay for signs falsely crediting that same legislature with a price reduction on fuel. Sharp isn’t wrong on anything here - it isn’t actually a tax “cut” (its a delayed increase), it is an unfunded mandate, the legislature did approve those tax increases Sharp mentions (as part of infrastructure bill), and it was a stupid move to try to fine gas stations for not providing this form of free publicity.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:51 pm
I wonder if they’ll put up another sign when the President suspends the federal gas tax.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:51 pm
If anything, the state erred by not mandating the exact value of the excise taxes levied on each gallon. I think most motorists would find it interesting how little of what they pay is taxes, especially Illinois ones, and how much room there could conceivably be for discounts in the petroleum companies’ costs.

Comment by Benjamin Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:53 pm
Not a fan of forced speech - so hope the courts don’t side with the state.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 1:57 pm
== the reaction to it was way over the top.==

How so? If the legislature hadn’t both a) required gas stations to pay for these signs themselves and b) threatened fines for not putting up said signs, it likely wouldn’t have been a problem. Y’all act like this is some right-wing plot, when Sharp is just pointing out that station owners shouldn’t be forced to fund promotional materials for the legislature (especially in an election year). Have LPU make these signs in the future and mail them to gas stations for posting.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 2:05 pm
“Give em’ the heater Ricky”. Well played.

The original sticker an absurd political overreach. JB and crew better served as far from the gas price discussion as humanly possible. The energy price discussion won’t help either. Rolling blackouts a disaster as well.

Comment by Do It Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 2:06 pm
I do not see how a state or government can make you post a sign like that. It is almost definition of compelled speak. Supreme Court started striking that down in the 40s when they said you did not have to stand and say the Pledge

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 2:07 pm
=== It is almost definition of compelled speak===

Commercial speech is different. Notice anything on cigarette packs?

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 2:08 pm
Health and safety Rich. I also see exit signs and fire extinguisher signs. This is more political speech In my humble opinion

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 2:11 pm
= I think most motorists would find it interesting how little of what they pay is taxes, especially Illinois ones…=
I think most motorists have driven in one of our neighboring states, or at least driven close enough to the border to see the billboards advertising gas prices there. So I’m doubting they have that reaction.
To the post: It seems like a good year for backfires, whether you’re a well-funded GOP candidate trying to show “how liberal” your opponents are or if you’re a legislative leader hoping to brag about the “savings” you’re giving people.

Comment by Wonky Kong Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 2:17 pm
Well played, Josh - and thanks for not letting the pols lie. In fact, perhaps as a result of the headache you should still distribute whole truth signs to members. After all, the truth doesn’t disappear after a court ruling and the public deserves to know the whole truth.

Comment by ;) Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 2:30 pm
its 100% political - it screams “Hey, look at us, this mess isn’t our fault”. If the tax rate was posted on every pump it would be (a little) different, but its not.

Comment by Sir Smarmalot Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 2:30 pm
“Hi, we’re the IFRA and we are going to do our darnedest to make sure we get nothing done in Springfield.”

Seems like a poor strategy for a supposed real organization.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 2:35 pm
Regardless of the sign, hopefully the stations still will manage to have room for the remnants of the early 2000s Sheriff Neil Williamson “Don’t Drive Off” stickers. If there are stations that still have them (I think at least one of the pumps at Shell in Chatham still does).

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 3:02 pm
I would rather pay a higher gas tax than having road falling apart and have to pay to fix my car. We need more funds to improve roads not less.

Comment by Publius Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 3:08 pm
Uh, wait a minute guys. If you don’t post your signs, we won’t make post ours. OK? Deal? Please?

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 3:19 pm
geeze. Won’t make you post…
Sorry

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 3:20 pm
That’ll mean as much as sign offering discounted car wash or 50% off second Gatorade.

Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 3:27 pm
=== [the sticker mandate] is a political thing. Let’s call it what it is. ===

The gas take rollback/suspension/repeal is a political thing. It’s only happening because folks wanted to make a partisan political issue out of it.

If you want to rollback the tax, it only makes sense that state government wants credit for doing it.

This was a bipartisan Bill.

Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 3:31 pm
This is exactly what the first amendment protects. They are allowed to say what they want to protest the policies of our government. (I say that instructively because some people think that cap fax or social media standards and moderation are somehow an infringement, but they are not.)

However, I think that in terms of advocacy this is not a great move for that trade association.

Comment by wow now Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 3:34 pm
How about they leave IPI out of it as it’s a political think tank

Comment by Good for thought Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 4:38 pm
If they wanted to actually tell the truth, this sign would include that “more than doubled” is a few cents per gallon. Nah, they would rather protect record profits for gas companies

Comment by Commisar Gritty Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 5:01 pm
The sad thing is, there are a number of voters out there who see some of these ads, like JB’s with people showing how he’s helping them “stretch their dollars,” and don’t realize it’s nothing but pandering ahead of the election. There is a reason that the tax kicks in after the election - just like there is a reason to delay it right now. And it isn’t because the state doesn’t need the money. It’s that folks in power need votes.
As a related aside, as Wonky Kong noted, people who go to neighboring states notice the prices - and the taxes. I sure do. Aside from a handful of times when I’m on E and have no choice, I haven’t bought gas in Illinois in over three years. I purposely map out my trips to Indiana for various errands to include a complete fill up.

Comment by Just a guy Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 5:03 pm
“Typically, when a gas tax moratorium has been imposed in the past, the price of gas hasn’t decreased. ”

Typically a tax moratorium covers a tax that is already being collected.

== Operators have just pocketed the difference. ==

There is no “difference”, the tax isn’t being collected today.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 5:46 pm
==Now mandate they post how much their CEOs are paid along with the profits for the last 6 months.==

Gas stations are not owned by oil companies and a lot are independent owners or a family that owns a handful. And they make literally nothing off gas. That’s why you have companies like Casey’s other who are becoming roadside Walmarts to turn profits.

I don’t begrudge them for being mad about having to put the signs up over a few pennies that no one is going to notice with continued rise of fuel pricea. It’s them and their employees who get yelled at by customers when gas goes up, as if they have some control over what BP and other charge them.

And I’m sure they had to hear all about it when the state hiked the gas tax over the last few years so when theyre told they will get fined over signs I don’t blame them for being upset.

Comment by twowaystreet Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 5:59 pm
==I would rather pay a higher gas tax than having road falling apart and have to pay to fix my car. We need more funds to improve roads not less.==

I agree. Even though there isn’t the 60-30-1 to pass a higher gas tax, especially at this time. Maybe supporters of higher gas taxes need to request their own gas pump sticker, this time showing pothole-laden streets in Springfield and elsewhere in the state with a question, “Do you want more of these?”

Comment by Just Sayin Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 7:20 pm
==Gas stations are not owned by oil companies and a lot are independent owners or a family that owns a handful. And they make literally nothing off gas. That’s why you have companies like Casey’s other who are becoming roadside Walmarts to turn profits.==

And in Springfield, you also have Qik-n-EZ that is basically a store with an identity crisis. A place that resembles a Wonder Bread store with a few gas pumps on the outside, then you walk in and it is nothing more than a glorified liquor and tobacco store, and gaming parlor. Oh, and maybe some junk food or two.

Comment by Just Sayin Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 7:24 pm
No idea why one would issue this press release before the court rules.

Comment by Galway Bay Tuesday, Jun 21, 22 @ 9:00 pm