Legislators in Illinois are considering a dramatic change in the way they fund road construction as gas tax revenue drops in the Land of Lincoln.
A bill has been introduced in the Illinois House to implement a pilot program assessing drivers based on the mileage they travel instead of by being taxed on each gallon of fuel. The proposal puts data collection devices in cars and also allows for people to self-report their travel miles.
The new system is being promoted as a way to help recover tax funds that are not coming into the state due to improving gas mileage in cars and others purchasing alternative fueled vehicles. The plan is built off of similar programs in Oregon and Utah.
Analysts say there may be one big flaw in the Illinois bill – public trust. Proposing that drivers would agree to put a device in their car that would track their movements may not be extremely popular with vehicle owners.
If the pilot program is adopted by the Illinois Legislature this year, implementation would be several years away.
