CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- If you buy gasoline in north suburban Lake County, expect to see the gas tax go up during the summer.
By a two-to-one margin, Lake County Board members voted Tuesday night to increase the gas tax by four-cents a gallon. It will go into effect July 1.
In a 14-7 vote, members who voted in favor cited the need for infrastructure funding, stating the money will be put to good use to improve roads and lessen congestion at railroad grade crossings. The tax is projected to bring in around $10 million annually to the county.
"I believe this infrastructure investment to be a crucial part of the overall economic recovery of Lake County. We’ll get people to work immediately and research shows that businesses are more likely to invest in counties that have a sustained investment in infrastructure," said board member Carissa Casbon.
Meanwhile, opponents said now is not the time to approve a tax increase, because of the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some also mentioned the potential for it to disproportionately affect lower-income families.
According to county estimates, households can expect to see about a $40 increase in their annual tax burden.
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