MOTOR FUEL TAX FUNDS By JOHN W. McCREE Illinois Department of Transportation

Motor fuel tax revenues were up slightly during calendar year 1987. This is simply due to the fact that fuel consumption was also slightly higher than last year. Without additional revenues from a tax increase, we can expect to see very little change in your allotments each year as long as fuel consumption remains essentially constant.

Gross collections, which included $85,907,776.77 of sales tax revenue were 0.43 percent above calendar year 1986. This would have normally caused a small increase in all local agency motor fuel tax allotments. However, because the administration of the Vehicle Inspection Fund required $10 million more than last year, all local governments received 1.88 percent less than the previous year. Approximately 11 cents of every dollar you received during 1987 was a direct result of the 2 1/2 percent of net sales tax deposited in the motor fuel tax fund each month.

The chart below shows Illinois' motor fuel tax revenues that were distributed in calendar year 1987. Municipalities received $16.42 per person, down from $16.83 last year. Road districts received $723.79 per mile, down from $738.61. Counties received their allotments on the basis of license fees for the previous year.

Motor Fuel Tax Allotment Statistics
(Distribution in CY 87)

			% of change
			from 1986
Motor Fuel Tax .................................		$699,012,931.92
Sales Tax ..........................................		85.907.776.77
GROSS COLLECTIONS...............		$784,920,708.69	+ 0.43
DEDUCTIONS
Vehicle Inspection Fund ....................	$ 21,353,377.00		+88.44
Secretary of State .............................	400,700.00		+ 5.82
State Construction Fund ....................	247,103,524.74		+ 0.70
Transferred to Road Fund .................	29,388,917.16		+ 0.31
Highway Administration ....................	6,119,705.18		+7.10
Revenue Administration ....................	11,642,369.86		+ 6.91
Refunds ...........................................	18,673,347.95		+ 0.36
State Boating Act Fund ....................	4.032.000.00
	$338,713,941.89	$338,713.941.89
		$446,206,766.80
ALLOCATIONS
Dept. of Transportation (Road Fund) ....	$121,599,567.04	$121,599,567.04	- 2.78
Less Grade X-ing Fund ........................	12.000,000.00
	$109,599,567.04
Municipalities .......................................	$159,370,331.35		- 1.88
Counties over 1,000,000 pop. .............	54,335,292.02		- 1.88
All other Counties ................................	59,311,371.86		- 1.88
Road Districts ......................................	51.590,204.53		- 1.88
	$324,607,199.76	$324.607.199.76
		$446,206,766.80

Each month your motor fuel tax allotment varies directly with the total monthly motor fuel tax collections (including the sales tax) which are deposited in the State Treasury. Should you have questions concerning your motor fuel tax allotment or should you not receive your monthly allotment by the end of the following month, please call Robert Steskal in the Bureau of Local Roads and Streets in Springfield at (217) 785-0394. •

Page 24 / Illinois Municipal Review / January 1988