By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – An increase in the state’s gas tax is one idea under consideration in Springfield to pay for a statewide construction bill.

Republican State Rep. Dan Brady of Bloomington told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin the state would need to look for other ways to cover that cost.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Brady on WJBC.

“It’s going to take other ideas,” Brady said. “I’d like to have that debate, but I’m not in support of raising the gas tax.”

At 34 cents per gallon, Illinois’ gas tax is already one of the highest in the country.

Brady added the state could look for a public-private partnership or cut costs in other areas to raise the money. He said the problem with such taxes is the money often doesn’t end up going where its intended.

“Our infrastructure is in dire straits and it needs… how we come together to get that funding,” Brady said. “There’s other options than simply saying let’s raise the gas tax with no guarantee it’s going to go to roads and bridges.”

Gov. Bruce Rauner has also said he’s against any tax hike to pay for a construction bill.

Illinois’ last capitol bill was passed in 2009.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].