Illinois lawmaker proposes 44-cent gas tax hike, increased license fees

A proposal introduced to the Illinois Senate earlier this week would hike the state's gas tax to 44 cents per gallon.

​, sponsored by Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) also calls to double the driver's license fee to $60 and raise the vehicle registration fee to $148.

Sandoval hopes to raise $2.4 billion in annual transportation funding under his proposal, according to a Chicago Tribune

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“We’ve been kicking this can down the road for decades and it’s time for us to finally step up and find a solution," Sandoval said in a statement on Illinois' transportation system.

If the bill is passed, the changes would take effect by June 1, 2020.