North Cook News

Many consumers are struggling with the increased costs of daily life, including high gas and grocery prices.

Since July, Illinoisans have found some relief at the gas pumps, but not anywhere else. 

Jack Vrett, the Republican candidate for the Illinois 53rd House District, weighed in on high gas prices, their effect on consumers, and how his opponent, Mark Walker, had helped increase gas prices statewide.

In July, food costs climbed 1.1%, bringing the year-over-year gain to 10.9%, according to CNBC News. This marked the largest increase in the food-at-home index, a measure of price changes at the grocery store, since 1979. Cereals and baked goods saw a year-over-year 15% increase. Milk and dairy products are 14.9% higher, and fruits and vegetables are 9.3% higher.

According to Fox News, Illinois suspended its grocery tax in July, which will carry through to June 30, 2023. The suspension includes grocery items and packaged foods but does not include candy, soft drinks, cannabis-infused foods and alcohol.

The state is one of the few with a grocery sales tax, according to Illinois Policy. Nationwide, there are 13 states that have sales taxes that are applied at a reduced rate for groceries; those states include Mississippi, Idaho, Kansas, Alabama, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Utah, Hawaii and Illinois. Mississippi has the highest grocery tax at 7%, and Illinois has the lowest at 1%.

The Democratic incumbent state Rep. Mark Walker, Vrett’s opponent, states in his campaign ad his voting record to freeze the gas tax and suspend the grocery tax. Vrett claims that the ad is misleading to voters, as Walker’s voting history altogether does not support the messaging of the ad.

"The high cost of daily life is making it hard for families to make ends meet, and high gas taxes just make it worse. State Rep. Mark Walker is running expensive TV commercials claiming credit for a short pause in gas tax hikes this summer, even though he voted to double the gas tax in 2019 and passed a law that automatically increases them every year," Vrett said in a statement. 

"I believe the best way to combat inflation, improve the economy, and make life more affordable, is to put more money back in the pockets of workers and families by providing reliable, long-term tax relief. Walker should stop these hypocritical and deceptive campaign ads, tell the truth about his record, and call on his fellow Democrats in Springfield to repeal the gas tax increase – so daily life is more affordable, and families get the relief they deserve," he said.

In 2019, Walker voted yes on the bill that raised the gas tax to 38 cents per gallon, doubling the former tax rate of 19 cents. 

The infrastructure bill that included the gas tax hike also tied it to inflation, meaning it will rise annually, according to Illinois Policy.