Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s 2019 “Rebuild Illinois” plan created automatic inflationary adjustments in the state gas tax, which could reach over $1 per gallon by 2056.

Illinois’ state gas tax is slated to go up every year without lawmakers ever voting on the increases.

The state went almost 30 years without raising the tax, which was 19 cents a gallon from 1990 to 2019.

That year, as part of his “Rebuild Illinois” infrastructure program, Pritzker doubled the tax to 38 cents a gallon.

More consequentially, the law created automatic yearly increases linked to inflation. Because of that, Illinois drivers will likely pay more in state gas taxes each year for the foreseeable future unless lawmakers take action, as there’s no expiration date on the annual adjustments.

The gas tax could more than double in the next 30 years. By then, it could be over $1 a gallon, five times more than before Pritzker took office.

The automatic increases allow lawmakers to avoid having to pass an unpopular tax hike and justify it to voters. They also can claim credit when they pause the hikes, saying it’s tax relief for residents.

That’s what the governor has done this year, holding off for six months on a 1.3-cents-a-gallon increase that was slated to kick in July 1.

Pritzker made affordability a central theme of his fiscal 2027 budget, but this temporary reprieve does nothing to change the long-term reality of yearly automatic gas tax increases.

The Illinois Tollway Board might even add automatic inflationary adjustments to passenger tolls, despite the Illinois Tollway reporting its highest collections and net revenue in state history.

Pritzker appoints the tollway board members and is himself an ex-officio member, as is the Pritzker-appointed state secretary of transportation.

Meanwhile, Illinois continues to hoard billions in the state’s Road Fund, money meant for improving transportation infrastructure. The fund held over $3.7 billion at the end of fiscal 2025.

Despite this surplus and drivers paying the nation’s second-highest gas taxes, federal data shows that 80.4% of Illinois roads were considered acceptable in 2024, fewer than in 2015, when the gas tax was still 19 cents.

Lawmakers also divert sales tax revenue on gas that would have gone into the Transportation Fund and Downstate Transportation Fund to fill budget shortfalls. The fiscal 2027 budget redirects $150 million in unexpected gas sales tax revenue from higher fuel costs to help close the state’s broader budget gap.

Gas taxes hit working families the hardest. Middle- and low-income Illinoisans often drive older, less fuel-efficient vehicles and spend a larger share of their income commuting to work, getting to school and handling daily necessities.

Lawmakers should be required to vote on state gas tax increases rather let automatic increases allow them to avoid scrutiny from their constituents.

INDIANAPOLIS – A country star, an “American Band” and a Fleetwood Mac tribute act highlight the second wave of free concerts at this year’s Indiana State Fair.

Organizers revealed five more acts for the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage: Trace Adkins, TUSK – The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute, Josiah Queen, Grand Funk Railroad and the Happy Together Tour.

All shows are free with paid fair admission and start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Tickets are available here.

Here’s a look at the free concert schedule (newly announced shows in italics):

• The Beach Boys: Friday, Aug. 7 – Opening Day
• TUSK – The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute: Saturday, Aug. 8
• Josiah Queen: Sunday, Aug. 9
• Busta Rhymes: Thursday, Aug. 13
• Grand Funk Railroad: Friday, Aug. 14
• Trace Adkins: Sunday, Aug. 16
• Happy Together: Wednesday, Aug. 19
• Gene Simmons: Thursday, Aug. 20
• Don McLean: Saturday, Aug. 22
• Tasha Cobbs Leonard: Sunday, Aug. 23

Here’s more about the upcoming acts, according to the Indiana State Fair:

TUSK – The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute (Aug. 8)

TUSK has been crisscrossing the country since 2008 as The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute. Five pro musicians turned into masters of their trade through decades of individual music study, live performance, creative risk, and devotion to the art. TUSK features note-perfect renditions of both the solo and full band songs, with each member specializing in one of the core lineup of Fleetwood Mac (Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood). They possess an electric stage presence that can only come from well over a decade touring together. Truly the best at what they do, TUSK is unmatched in their tribute to one of the greatest bands of all time.

Josiah Queen (Aug. 9)

Josiah Queen has quickly become one of the most impactful voices in Christian music, blending raw authenticity with deeply resonant melodies. With over 1.3 billion combined global streams, his music continues to inspire a wide-reaching and rapidly growing audience. Following the breakout success of “The Prodigal” (200M+ streams), Josiah’s single “Dusty Bibles” became a defining moment in his career becoming his first Billboard Hot 100 hit, and certified Gold in under six months from release. The song also climbed to the top tier of streaming performance, landing in the Top 3 Christian/Gospel Streaming Songs in the U.S., charting on the Spotify Viral 50 in over 15 countries, and reaching the Shazam Top 200 in multiple territories.

Grand Funk Railroad (Aug. 14)

Affectionately known as The American Band, Grand Funk Railroad continues to pack venues across the country, connecting generations of fans with their unmistakable mix of hard-driving rock, soulful vocals, and anthemic hits. Founding members Don Brewer (vocals and drums, and writer/singer of the iconic “We’re an American Band”) and Mel Schacher (bass, the thunder behind the groove) are joined by guitar slinger and veteran of Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band Mark Chatfield; and the ever-versatile Tim Cashion (affectionately known as “Dr. Tim”), who – in the past – has hit the road with Robert Palmer and Bob Seger, on keys. Their influence can still be heard in the DNA of rock icons like Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Foreigner, and Journey.

Grand Funk’s music endures not only on the airwaves—thanks to mega-hits like We’re an American Band, I’m Your Captain/Closer to Home, The Loco-Motion, and Some Kind of Wonderful—but also on big screens and TV campaigns. From Disney’s The Country Bears to General Motors commercials, and blockbuster films like Radio and Sahara, their songs remain a cultural touchstone. With more than 25 million albums sold, 19 charting singles, 8 Top 40 hits, and two No. 1 smashes, Grand Funk has earned 7 gold and 10 platinum certifications—including 2022 platinum awards for both We’re an American Band and Some Kind of Wonderful. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering Grand Funk for the first time, there’s no better time to experience one of rock’s most enduring bands.

Trace Adkins (Aug. 16)

Over the course of his three-decade reign in Country music, Trace Adkins has emerged as a full-fledged icon whose reach spans far beyond the genre’s borders. A multi-award-winning singer and actor who’s scored 40 hit singles on Country radio, the Louisiana native is now nearing the 30th anniversary of his trailblazing debut album Dreamin’ Out Loud—a 1996 LP that delivered his No. 1 “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing” and “Every Light In The House” (a Top 5 entry on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart). With 12 million albums sold to date, the superstar entertainer recently followed his featured spot on Blake Shelton’s Friends & Heroes Tour with his own What Color’s Your Wild Tour (a hot-ticket headline run named for his hard-driving anthem released in early 2025) and is currently on his 30th Anniversary headline run in 2026. A true American legend whose powerhouse catalog includes 14 studio albums, Adkins continues to embody the fiery spirit of traditional Country while moving the genre forward with his ever-evolving sound.

The Happy Together Tour (Aug. 19)

The Happy Together Tour 2026 consists of eight acts: The Association, The Troggs, Chicago Lead Singer 1985-2016 Jason Scheff, Gary Puckett, The Fortunes, Rone Dante of The Archies and The Turtles, The Vogues and The Cowsills.. These artists had their biggest hits in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and brought timeless sounds and songs of that time period. These bands combined have multiple No. 1 hits making this tour an iconic homage to an era of music that has influenced many of today’s artists. The tour has consisted of several different bands and artists throughout the nearly 40 years it has been running.

The Indiana State Fair runs from Aug. 7 through Aug. 23 and is closed on Mondays. Get tickets here.

Central Iowa residents face a second consecutive summer banned from watering their lawns as Central Iowa Water Works seeks to preserve its capacity to produce sufficient safe drinking water.

CIWW announced the ban Monday, June 8, after Des Moines Water Works, its largest utility, estimated that with temperatures set to surpass 90 degrees Tuesday and high nitrate levels requiring it to provide additional treatment, demand would reach 98% of capacity.

Already, the system’s nitrate removal facility, among the world’s largest, was operating “at full throttle,” Des Moines Water Works CEO Amy Kahler said during a Monday news conference.

Here’s what to know about the ban.

Why is Central Iowa Water Works requiring a ban?

CIWW officials warned in early May that a lawn-watering ban like the one imposed in June 2025 was likely after a winter during which high nitrate levels in central Iowa’s source water — the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers — failed to abate.

Elevated nitrate concentrations in the rivers require “significantly more treatment” to achieve a federal safety standard of no more than 10 milligrams per liter, Tami Madsen, CIWW’s executive director, said at Monday’s news conference. Lawn watering greatly increases demand in warm weather, and “we have reached a point where conservation is necessary to preserve treatment capacity and ensure reliable service to everyone,” Madsen said.

Who does the ban affect?

Customers of Des Moines Water Works are the largest group. Also under the ban are Ankeny, Clive, Johnston, Norwalk, Polk City and Waukee and areas served by Urbandale Water Utility, West Des Moines Water Works, Warren Water and portions of the Xenia Water District.

Grimes, a member of the CIWW, isn’t under the ban because it’s not yet connected to the shared water distribution system.

How high have nitrate levels been?

In addition to the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers, the nitrate levels in the Des Moines Water Works’ infiltration gallery, a system of water naturally filtered through rock and sand, have been unusually high, Kahler said.

The gallery typically is the utility’s best water source. But it has been over the 10-milligrams-per-liter limit for nearly 90 days, which Kahler called a record.

On Tuesday, nitrate levels were 14.98 milligrams per liter in the Raccoon River; 11.75 milligrams in the Des Moines River; and 11.83 milligrams in the infiltration gallery, Des Moines Water Works reported.

Nitrates, even at low levels, have been tied to some cancers and to serious illness in infants. The federal government requires water utilities to alert consumers when nitrate levels rise above the standard. 

What’s causing high nitrate levels in the Raccoon, Des Moines rivers?

Farming contributes about 80% of the nitrates in the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers, according to a Polk County water analysis released last year.

Iowa farmers use commercial nitrogen as well as manure from millions of pigs, chickens, turkeys and other livestock to fertilize the state’s roughly 24 million acres of corn and soybeans. Nitrogen and phosphorus, two nutrients that can befoul Iowa waterways, also naturally occur in Iowa’s rich soil.

Weather plays a major role. Drought, for example, can result in a buildup of nutrients in the soil. When rains return, as they have the past two springs, they can pick up the contaminants and move them to waterways both over land and through the drainage tiles that underlie about 13 million acres of farm fields across Iowa.

What’s being done to cut fertilizer losses?

The state adopted the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy in 2013, setting a goal to cut by 45% the nitrogen and phosphorus that reach Iowa streams and ultimately flow into the Mississippi River, contributing to the dead zone around the river’s mouth in the Gulf of Mexico, renamed the Gulf of America by the U.S. government.

The state and federal governments offer farmers financial and technical assistance to adopt practices like planting cover crops and reducing or eliminating tillage to cut fertilizer losses. They also encourage establishing buffer strips, bioreactors and wetlands that help clean water as it leaves fields.

More: With billions invested in farm conservation, is Iowa’s water cleaner?

In May, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the state will give CIWW a $25 million grant to expand and upgrade its nitrate removal facilities, part of a statewide overhaul of Iowa’s water quality funding. However, the state so far has declined to impose measures to reduce nitrates from agricultural runoff, with Reynolds saying in July 2025 that regulation “is hardly ever the answer.”

Are candidates addressing the issue?

Zach Lahn, the GOP nominee to replace retiring Republican Reynolds in this fall’s gubernatorial election, has said Iowa must “start addressing the problem at the source — not just relying on expensive treatment upgrades after the damage is already done.”

“Upgrading water treatment facilities may help in the short term, but it’s ultimately a Band-Aid approach that passes massive costs onto taxpayers and communities,” Lahn said in a post on Facebook.

Democratic nominee Rob Sand points to improved water quality as part of an effort to address Iowa’s growing cancer rate, and calls for a variety of initiatives including tax breaks for farmers who adopt conservation measures, improved water monitoring and more transparent tracking of farmers’ manure use.