MOTOR FUEL TAX FUNDS By WILLIAM T. SUNLEY, Engineer of Local Roads and Streets

Motor fuel tax revenue experienced a modest increase during calendar year 1992. This increase was simply due to the fact that gallons of fuel consumed on Illinois highways for the first nine months of 1992 were 3.3% higher than the first nine months of 1991. Hand in hand with this, the total vehicle miles of travel for the first nine months of 1992 was also 2.3% higher than 1991 travel for that same time period. These corresponding figures of fuel consumption and total miles of travel may indicate that fuel consumption will no longer be significantly influenced by the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards mandated by Congress in 1978 because the fleet may finally be mostly made up of the more fuel efficient vehicles. As long as fuel consumption remains essentially constant, we can expect to see very little change in MFT allotments to local governments each year. However, when fuel consumption remains constant, the buying power of your motor fuel tax funds is continuously eroded by the current inflation rate.

Gross collections, which included $39,619,692.67 of sales tax revenue, were 2.20% above calendar year 1991. Sales tax revenue for the five months of February through June was not deposited in the MFT fund due to legislation (Emergency Budget Relief Act) passed to help offset the State's budget deficit. The total amount diverted was $28,261,660.82.

The chart below shows Illinois motor fuel tax revenues that were distributed in calendar year 1992. Municipalities received $20.77 per person, up from $20.26 last year. Road districts received $909.06 per mile, up from $887.16 last year. Counties received their allotments on the basis of registered license fees for the previous year.

Each month your motor fuel tax allotment varies directly with the total monthly motor fuel tax collection (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 Terry Burke in the Bureau of Local Roads and Streets in Springfield at (217) 785-5179. •

MOTOR FUEL TAX ALLOTMENT STATISTICS
(Distribution in CY 92)

			% of change from 1991
Motor Fuel Tax..................................		$1,054,755,811.14
Sales Tax .......................................		$ 39,619,692.67
GROSS COLLECTIONS .....................		$1,094,375,503.81	+2.20
DEDUCTIONS
Grade Crossing Protection Fund ...................	$ 18,000,000.00		N.A.
Vehicle Inspection Fund..........................	20,04,.797.43		+11.69
Secretary of State ................................	887,653.00		N.A.
State Construction Fund ..........................	253,358,291.61		+10.60
Highway Administration..........................	6,751,798.89		-10.17
Revenue Administration ..........................	16,888,268.21		+ 0.11
Refunds ........................................	20,257,457.93		-15.91
State Boating Act Fund ...........................	5,040,000.00		N.A.
Court of Claims .................................	9,001.55		N.A.
General Revenue Fund Transfer ...................	497,213.00		N.A.
	$341,731,481.62	$ 341,731,481.62
		$ 752,644,022.19
ALLOCATIONS
Dept. of Transportation (Road Fund) ..............	$344,227,699.81	$ 344,227,699.81	-2.44
Municipalities ...................................	200,532,414.30		+2.37
Counties over 1,000,000 pop. ......................	68,368,892.37		+2.37
All other Counties................................	74,617,662.09		+2.37
Road Districts ...................................	64,897,353.62		+2.37
	$408,416,322.38	$ 408,416,322.38
		$ 752,644,022.19

January 1993 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 19