Kane County board votes 9-8 to raise local motor fuel tax to 8 cents a gallon

The Kane County Board voted 9-8 on Oct. 22 to increase the county motor fuel tax from 5 cents to 8 cents per gallon, a change county staff said would take effect July 1, 2026.

The vote came after more than two hours of public comment and a lengthy board discussion that weighed projected revenue against residents’ concerns about rising costs. "This tax is tied to the Consumer Price Index, so under state law it will continue to increase annually," said Kathleen Hopkinson, who answered technical questions about the tax during the meeting.

Hopkinson told the board the resolution, if adopted, would generate an estimated $2.6 million for the July 1–Nov. 30, 2026 period and roughly $6.3 million over a full 12 months. Board members and residents repeatedly cited the CPI indexing as a concern: several speakers noted past annual CPI-driven increases had already raised county receipts by about $1.2 million over recent years.

Public speakers who urged the board to reject the increase emphasized the effect on households who rely on gasoline for work. Steve Loeffler, who described calculated costs to a typical driver, said the proposed county increase would add only about $14.40 per year for a 12,000-mile driver at 25 mpg but argued any new tax burden is harmful to working families. "Most people require gasoline to get to work," said Jean Mayer, a resident. "We need to lighten the tax burden."

Board members were divided. Supporters said the increase is part of a broader plan to move transportation-related revenue into the general fund to avoid larger staff cuts and to complete negotiations with elected officials about budget reductions. "If we do not get the gas tax increased, we don't know what to do," said Board member Bill Tepe, describing the tax as a way to generate additional general-fund revenue to negotiate a workable budget with the county’s elected offices.

Opponents cited fairness and competitiveness, noting neighboring counties or nearby states sometimes have lower pump prices. "We need to say no to this. We need to stop this spending," said one board member during the roll call debate.

The board’s roll call produced nine votes in favor and eight opposed; the measure passed. The adopted amount (8¢) is the maximum local increase allowed under state law, and Hopkinson reiterated that the CPI linkage means the county rate could rise automatically in future years. She also clarified that motor fuel tax receipts are budgeted in a motor fuel tax fund and, under current practice, are used for transportation projects rather than for personnel.

Board discussion also asked staff to provide department-level scenarios showing how many positions would be affected by different budget choices and whether withheld or reallocated transportation funds would directly affect personnel or capital projects. Hopkinson said motor fuel tax revenue is currently directed to projects, not personnel, and that any transfers to the general fund would be an internal budget decision.

The increase takes effect July 1, 2026. The board did not set a referendum; the action was taken by ordinance and vote of the full board.