Illinois drivers are catching a break at the pump — at least from state taxes. Gov. JB Pritzker announced Tuesday that his administration is freezing a planned increase in the state's gas tax, a move he says will offer working families some relief from the price pressures caused by the Iran war.

In a post on X, Pritzker said the state “eliminated this year's inflation on gas tax” to give families a break from “Donald Trump.” The tax hike, a 1.3-cent increase tied to inflation, was set to take effect July 1 but has been delayed until January 2027.

Illinois currently charges 48.3 cents per gallon in state tax, on top of the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon (24 cents for diesel). The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Illinois on Tuesday was $4.518, according to AAA. In Alexander County, drivers paid the highest average in the state at $4.899. Nationally, prices also stayed above $4.

The decision comes as the Iran war continues to push fuel costs higher. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan noted that prices have risen in multiple states due to price cycles, but at elevated levels because of the conflict.

California's gas tax has also been in the spotlight. Gov. Gavin Newsom defended his state's automatic inflation adjustment, arguing it was approved by voters in 2018 — before he took office. The contrast between the two Democratic governors highlights the political tightrope of balancing revenue needs with voter pain at the pump.

For Illinois drivers, the freeze means at least a temporary reprieve from one more cost — even if the broader price trend remains stubbornly high.