Despite paying second highest gas taxes, study shows Illinoisans deal with subpar roads

A new study shows that Illinois’ high gasoline taxes are not leading to good roads and bridges.

The Reason Foundation has released its Annual Highway Report, which examines pavement condition, deficient bridges, traffic congestion and the overall costs.

Senior Managing Director Baruch Feigenbaum said Illinois fell seven spots from last year’s ranking to 36th in the country.

“Traffic congestion is obviously a problem in Chicago ranking 46th, bridges are a problem, ranked 38th, the fatality rate is certainly not leading the nation in any of the fatality categories, so Illinois’ biggest problem is that it doesn't do anything well,” said Feigenbaum.

Compared to neighboring and nearby states, Illinois’ overall highway performance is worse than Missouri's (9th), Kentucky’s (11th), Indiana's (20th), Wisconsin’s (26th), and Iowa’s (31st).

In safety and condition categories, Illinois ranked near the bottom for urban interstate pavement condition, and in the bottom half for rural interstate condition.

Illinois drivers pay the second highest gasoline taxes in the country and, by law, the proceeds are intended for transportation infrastructure. The only state with higher gas taxes is California.

In spending and cost-effectiveness, Illinois ranks 45th in capital and bridge disbursements, which are the costs of building new roads and bridges and widening existing ones.

“Illinois, with a spending ranking between 21st and 44th depending on the category, that is not translating into better pavement conditions,” said Feigenbaum.

The state with the overall highest quality and cost-effective highway systems is North Carolina, followed by South Carolina and North Dakota.

“In terms of improving in the road condition and performance categories, Illinois should focus on reducing capital-bridge disbursements, rural arterial pavement condition, and urbanized congestion,” said Feigenbaum.