ILEPI Testimony on the Potential IDOT Shutdown

If Illinois’ state budget crisis is not resolved by June 30, 2017, all existing Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) road, bridge, and transit projects will be stopped.

Yesterday, Frank Manzo IV, Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) Policy Director, testified before the Illinois General Assembly. Please CLICK HERE to read the full testimony. The following is an edited version of the testimony.

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More Economists and Policy Experts in Illinois Support the Safe Roads Amendment than Oppose It

The first item that Illinois voters will see on the ballot on Tuesday is the Safe Roads Amendment. The Amendment would protect– or “lockbox”– all revenue contributed by drivers through motor fuel taxes, tollways, licenses, and vehicle registration fees and require that the money is used solely for transportation purposes.

I surveyed 110 of 578 economics and public policy academics at accredited universities and colleges in Illinois with publicly-available email addresses in August 2016. Among the many topics addressed, I presented the professors and instructors with the following question on the Safe Roads Amendment:  Continue reading “More Economists and Policy Experts in Illinois Support the Safe Roads Amendment than Oppose It”

The Decline of Motor Fuel Tax Revenue in Illinois

Despite GDP Growth, Motor Fuel Tax Revenue Declines in Illinois

Despite modest economic growth, motor fuel tax revenue has fallen significantly in Illinois. The Illinois economy has grown by 31.2% since 2005, not adjusted for inflation. Meanwhile, an analysis of Illinois’ Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports finds that nominal motor fuel tax revenue collected has fallen by 9.4% since 2005.

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