By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill. – The state of Illinois has collected an estimated $65 million more this year in sales tax revenue than last year; gas prices are the reason.
Revenue Department spokeswoman Geraldine Conrad says Illinois took in $345 million in gasoline sales tax during the first nine months of the fiscal year that ended June 30th.
Motorists in Illinois pay a 6.25% sales tax on the pump price of gas. The state gets 5%; the remaining 1.25% goes to local governments.
Governor Rod Blagojevich has said he's looking at ways to help consumers deal with surging gasoline prices, but he hasn't yet made any specific proposals.