Joliet adopts higher gas tax as part of $661 million budget

The Joliet City Council on Tuesday approved increases in the local gas tax along with a $662 million budget for next year.

The local gas tax – which will go up to 5 cents for regular gasoline and 11 cents for diesel fuel – faced little opposition.

Council member Jan Quillman questioned the tax but voted for it after being assured that it would help the city pay for improvements to roads and sidewalks.

The council voted 8-0 for the tax increase with one member, Larry Hug, absent.

The tax actually will go directly into a program to pay for new city vehicles.

But city officials said the tax will free up other funds to pay for roads and sidewalks.

“Without having additional money for vehicles, it will affect the number of roads and sidewalks we can do in a year,” Finance Director Kevin Sing said.

The 2025 budget includes $26 million for roads and sidewalks, up from $22 million in 2024.

The city plans to buy 41 new vehicles in 2025 with the help of an extra $1.6 million from the tax increase.

Sing said the city actually should be replacing about 75 vehicles a year, noting that it has a fleet of 750 vehicles and equipment.

“We’re still a little behind, but we have to make progress before they all go bad,” he said.

The tax went up one penny for regular gasoline and 7 cents for diesel fuel.

State Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, spoke against the fuel tax increase during the meeting, saying people in Joliet are against the higher rates.

“They don’t want it and are asking you to find a different way to fund services,” Ventura told the council.

The only other person to speak at the meeting against the taxes, however, was Kathy Garthus, who pointed to the effect on people like her who drive a pickup truck that runs on diesel fuel.

City officials said they do not expect the tax hikes to have an effect on Joliet gas prices compared with neighboring communities, contending that the city’s local tax still will be in line with those of its neighbors.

“We’re competitive with all of our surrounding communities,” Mayor Terry D’Arcy said.

D’Arcy at a Monday workshop meeting said the 1-cent increase will cost a motorist driving 15,000 miles a year between $6 and $7.50 annually depending on vehicle mileage.