PEORIA (25News Now) – The Illinois Motor Fuel tax, known as the gas tax, will rise again on July 1 meaning higher per-gallon gas prices.

The tax rate increases by 3%. Taxes for gasoline will be 47 cents-per-gallon and 54 cents-per-gallon for diesel.

The increase is part of the Rebuild Illinois capital plan. In 2019, lawmakers voted to double the gas tax from 19 cents-per-gallon to 38 cents-per-gallon.

The plan was to increase the rate each year based on inflation.

Before 2019, did not have a gas tax increase for nearly 30 years. The tax revenue collected helped fund roads and transportation projects.

Some residents we spoke with said they understand the tax increase. Others said that more roads need to be redone.

State Rep. Travis Weaver (R-Edwards) agreed roads need work, but he said the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) needs to use the more than $3 billion sitting in the road fund.

“Obviously, they take in revenue and spend money, but the balance has grown by six times as much,” Weaver said. “I would say to IDOT: ‘You have two choices. You either start spending that money, putting it to work to get roads fixed, or we’re going to cut the gas tax.’”

In a statement to 25 News, Democratic Sen. Dave Koehler said:

“Recently, it was announced that the Peoria and Bloomington-Normal communities will receive over $193 million in funding for state and local highways through the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Multi-Year Plan. These funds play a large role in supporting this program that ensures our roads and bridges are safe and well maintained.”

Another issue is for electric vehicle owners who do not pay gas taxes.

Starting July 1, EV owners will be charged a $100 yearly fee to make up for lost tax revenue, on top of the annual registration fee.

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CHICAGO – Illinois blood centers are in desperate need of donations as their supply dwindles during the summer months.

Versiti Blood Center of Illinois issued an emergency appeal on Monday in response to the decreasing state-wide blood supply.  

Almost 5,000 blood donation appointments at the center were canceled or missed in June.  

“We know summer is a challenging time for blood donation, and we plan for it every year, but what we see today is dire,” Dr. Dan Waxman, vice president of transfusion medicine and senior medical director at Versiti said. “Patients’ lives are at risk. If you are healthy and able, we are pleading with you to donate blood this week.” 

Some blood types only have a day’s supply of blood left, which puts local patients in need of blood at risk. 

The center needs all blood types, with O-positive and O-negative blood types being in higher demand.  

Versiti welcomes walk-in donors. Anyone ages 18 or older who is in good health is encouraged to donate blood.  Children ages 16 and 17 can donate with a parent’s permission.

Versiti blood donation centers are accepting donations at the following locations:  

WESTMONT: 6317 S. Fairview Avenue 

TINLEY PARK: 16100 Centennial Circle 

BLOOMINGDALE: 398 W. Army Trail Road 

NAPERVILLE: 1297 S. Naper Boulevard 

WINFIELD: 27W281 Geneva Road 

JOLIET: 2625 W. Jefferson Street 

GENEVA: 2000 W. State Street, Unit 1E 

AURORA: 1200 N. Highland Avenue 

ELGIN: 1140 N. McLean Boulevard 

CRYSTAL LAKE: 6296 Northwest Highway 

YORKVILLE: 728 E. Veterans Parkway, Suite 112 

DEKALB: 2428 Sycamore Road 

HIGHLAND: 2126 45th Street 

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 800-786-4483 or visit versiti.org. 

Patient Care at Risk, Versiti Blood Center of Illinois Issues Plea for Donors

CHICAGO, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Versiti Blood Center of Illinois has issued an emergency appeal for blood donations due to a dangerously low blood supply. Certain blood types have less than a day’s worth of availability, endangering the lives of local patients. Summer donations have plummeted to critical levels, with over 4,963 appointments missed in the past month alone.

All blood types are needed, with O-positive and O-negative being the most in demand. O-positive is the most common blood type, while O-negative blood is the universal type that can be safely received by all patients in emergencies when the blood type is unknown.

“We know summer is a challenging time for blood donation, and we plan for it every year, but what we see today is dire,” said Dr. Dan Waxman, vice president of transfusion medicine and senior medical director at Versiti. “Patients’ lives are at risk. If you are healthy and able, we are pleading with you to donate blood this week.”

In addition to unfilled appointments and a rise in cancellations and no-shows, Versiti’s partner hospitals have required a significant volume of blood this past month to support organ transplant procedures and other traumas.

“The demand for blood simply does not match the number of donors coming through our doors,” added Waxman. “While we deeply appreciate our loyal donors who consistently show up, it’s important to recognize that about 3 percent of people who are eligible to donate blood actually do. If it’s been a while since your last donation or you’re a first-time donor, we are excited to welcome you.”

What happens if blood is not available for patients?

• When the local blood inventory gets as low as it is now, it jeopardizes the health and safety of patients who rely on life-saving blood transfusions. In some cases, hospitals are forced to postpone surgeries or delay critical treatments.
• Trauma victims from car accidents or shootings are at the highest risk, as their survival often depends on a healthy blood inventory. If these types of cases occur in the coming days, we might not have the blood needed to keep them alive.
• Patients undergoing organ transplants and battling cancer, and even mothers in labor, could face treatment delays or complications due to a limited blood supply.

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call (800) 786-4483 or visit versiti.org. Walk-in donors are also welcome.

Donor center locations:

• WESTMONT: 6317 S. Fairview Ave.
• TINLEY PARK: 16100 Centennial Cir.
• BLOOMINGDALE: 398 W. Army Trail Rd.
• NAPERVILLE: 1297 S. Naper Blvd.
• WINFIELD: 27W281 Geneva Rd.
• JOLIET: 2625 W. Jefferson St.
• GENEVA: 2000 W. State St., Unit 1E
• AURORA: 1200 N. Highland Ave.
• ELGIN: 1140 N. McLean Blvd.
• CRYSTAL LAKE: 6296 Northwest Hwy.
• YORKVILLE: 728 E. Veterans Pkwy., Suite 112
• DEKALB: 2428 Sycamore Rd.
• HIGHLAND: 2126 45th St.

Donating blood takes about an hour. Anyone aged 16 or older who is in good health and meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors aged 16 to donate blood. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date.

About Versiti Blood Center of Illinois
Versiti Blood Center of Illinois is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Aurora, IL. that specializes in blood products and services and provides expert medical and technical support. Founded in 1943, it is the oldest blood center in Illinois and serves patients at more than 85 hospitals in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. It operates 12 donor centers and conducts nearly 2,200 blood drives annually at area hospitals, churches, businesses, schools and community centers. To learn more, visit versiti.org.

SOURCE Versiti Blood Center of Illinois